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First published online October 7, 2008
Journal of Experimental Biology 211, 3315-3322 (2008)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2008
doi: 10.1242/jeb.018747
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Multifocal lenses in a monochromat: the harbour seal

Frederike D. Hanke1, Ronald H. H. Kröger2, Ursula Siebert3 and Guido Dehnhardt4,*

1 University of Bochum, General Zoology and Neurobiology, ND 6/33, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
2 Lund University, Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Zoology Building, Helgonavägen 3, S-22362 Lund, Sweden
3 University of Kiel, Research and Technology Centre West Coast, Werftstraße 6, D-21542 Büsum, Germany
4 University of Rostock, Institute for Bioscience, Sensory and Cognitive Ecology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18059 Rostock, Germany

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: dehnhardt{at}marine-science-center.de)

Accepted 18 August 2008

Previous photorefractive results from harbour seals indicated the presence of a multifocal lens. This was surprising because the evolution of multifocal lenses has served to compensate for chromatic aberration in animals with colour vision, which harbour seals as monochromats should not be capable of. To gain insight into the lens optics of these animals, we extended our photorefractive measurements in live seals under water and in air and, additionally, analyzed eight extracted juvenile harbour seal lenses with schlieren photography and a laser scanning technique. The results from all methods applied support the presence of multifocal lenses in harbour seals. However, the functional significance of multiple focal lengths in harbour seal lenses remains speculative. Interestingly, the slit pupils of harbour seals cannot be considered to be an adaptation to the multifocal optical system of the eye.

Key words: harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, lens, multifocal


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JEB 2008 211: i. [Full Text]  





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