Comparative Study of the Spectral Sensitivities of Mesopelagic Crustaceans

Authors

Tamara M. Frank, Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstitutionFollow
Edith A. Widder, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Comparative Physiology A

ISSN

0340-7594

Publication Date

10-1999

Keywords

Mesopelagic, Crustacean electrophysiology, Vision, Deep-sea

Abstract

The spectral sensitivities of 12 species of mesopelagic crustaceans were studied by means of electrophysiological recordings. Nine of the species are vertical migrators, while 3 are not, and 9 species possess bioluminescent organs, while 3 are not bioluminescent. All species had a single peak of spectral sensitivity with maxima between 470 nm and 500 nm. There was no apparent correlation between sensitivity maxima and daytime depth distribution, migratory behavior, or the presence or absence of bioluminescent organs. With the exception of the hyperiid amphipod Phronima sedentaria, the spectral sensitivities of these mesopelagic crustaceans demonstrate a better match for maximum sensitivity to bioluminescence than to downwelling light.

DOI

10.1007/s003590050385

Volume

185

Issue

3

First Page

255

Last Page

265

Comments

©Springer-Verlag 1999

Additional Comments

NOAA subgrant #s: NAGL-95-02, UNCW 9410; University of Connecticut award #: NA46RU0146; NSF grant #: OCE-9313972

NSUWorks Citation

Tamara M. Frank and Edith A. Widder. 1999. Comparative Study of the Spectral Sensitivities of Mesopelagic Crustaceans .Journal of Comparative Physiology A , (3) : 255 -265. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/456.