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First published online August 9, 2007
Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 2923-2931 (2007)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2007
doi: 10.1242/jeb.002956
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Multifocal lenses in coral reef fishes

Björn Karpestam1, Jonas Gustafsson2, Nadav Shashar3, Gadi Katzir4 and Ronald H. H. Kröger2,*

1 Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Institute of Anatomy, Österbergstrasse 3, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
2 Lund University, Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Zoology Building, Helgonavägen 3, 22362 Lund, Sweden
3 Ben Gurion University, Eilat Campus, Life Sciences Department, P.O.B. 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
4 University of Haifa, Department of Biology, Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: ronald.kroger{at}cob.lu.se)

Accepted 6 June 2007

The optical properties of crystalline lenses were studied in eleven species of coral reef fish from the Red Sea in Eilat, Israel. Three species each of diurnal planktivores, nocturnal planktivores and diurnal herbivores constituted three groups of animals with little within-group variability. In addition we studied two predators, which differed with respect to body size, prey preference, hunting method and diel activity period. All species studied have multifocal lenses. There were statistically significant differences in the optical properties of the lenses between the first three groups and between the predatory species. The properties of the lenses correlate well with known complements of visual pigments and feeding habits. Lenticular zones focusing ultraviolet light were found in two diurnal planktivores. The optical properties of the lens seem to be specifically adapted to the visual needs of each species.

Key words: physiological optics, color vision, chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, visual pigments, Red Sea




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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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