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Diel cycles inHoplosternum littorale (Teleostei): entrainment of feeding activity by low intensity colored light

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Low intensity colored light is very often used to observe or manipulate fish during the scotophase. According to data on fish vision, most species can perceive these wavelengths of light since their cone pigments have maximum absorption peaks around 455, 530 and 625 nm. To test whetherHoplosternum littorale can detect low intensity red or blue light, we attempted to entrain feeding activity, known to be nocturnal and synchronized by the circadian light/dark alternation, to such light. Feeding activity was entrained with either red or blue light, indicating that these fish can perceive these lights. In all cases, the fish fed during the darker phase of the light cycle.

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Author notes

  1. Thierry Boujard

    Present address: INRA Hydrobiologie, B.P.3,64310, Ascain, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA Hydrobiologie, B.P.709,97387, Kourou Cedex, Guyane, France

    Thierry Boujard, Yann Moreau & Pierre Luquet

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  1. Thierry Boujard
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  2. Yann Moreau
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  3. Pierre Luquet
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Boujard, T., Moreau, Y. & Luquet, P. Diel cycles inHoplosternum littorale (Teleostei): entrainment of feeding activity by low intensity colored light. Environ Biol Fish 35, 301–309 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001897

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001897

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