Vision in the Hyperiid Amphipod Scina crassicornis

Authors

Jonathan H. Cohen, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; Eckerd College
Tamara M. Frank, Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstitutionFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

ISSN

0025-3154

Publication Date

10-2007

Abstract

Light microscopy and extracellular electrophysiology were used to investigate eye structure and visual physiology of the hyperiid amphipod Scina crassicornis, a mesopelagic species that emits unusually short-wavelength luminescence (λmax=435-444 nm). The overall eye morphology is most similar to some previously described deep-dwelling amphipods, though not other hyperiids. Electroretinograms suggest that S. crassicornis possesses a relatively sensitive eye with slow temporal dynamics, and a monochromatic visual system (λmax=472 nm). Vision in S. crassicornis is well-suited for life in mesopelagic waters, and its short-wavelength luminescence does not play a role in intraspecific sexual signalling.

DOI

10.1017/S0025315407056834

Volume

87

Issue

5

First Page

1201

Last Page

1206

Comments

©2007 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Additional Comments

National Science Foundation grant #: IBN-0343871

NSUWorks Citation

Jonathan H. Cohen and Tamara M. Frank. 2007. Vision in the Hyperiid Amphipod Scina crassicornis .Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , (5) : 1201 -1206. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/453.