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The distribution of polarization sensitivity in the crayfish retinula

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Abstract

In many arthropod eyes the ommatidia contain two classes of retinular cells with orthogonally oriented microvilli. These receptors provide the basis for two-channel polarization vision. In several contexts such as navigation or the detection of polarization contrast, two channels may be insufficient. While solutions to this problem are known (e.g. in insects and stomatopod crustaceans) none have been found in the majority of decapods. To examine this issue further, the polarization sensitivity and the E-vector angle eliciting a maximum response (θ max) were measured at over 300 loci on the crayfish retinula. The polarization response ratio (which is proportional to polarization sensitivity) was similar at all locations on the retinula. Around the central pole of the eye, θ max was distributed about the vertical and horizontal axes. Along the dorsal rim, the distribution of θ max exhibits modes at 0°, 45° and 90° and a small mode at 135° relative to the dorso-ventral axis of the eyestalk (0°). Smaller numbers of cells (20 to 25%) with θ max near the diagonal were also found in anterior and posterior retinula areas. Thus crayfish visual interneurons, which integrate signals from multiple ommatidia may have access to a multi-channel polarization analyzer.

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Abbreviations

A/D:

Analog to digital

MΩ:

106 ohms

PRR:

Polarization response ratio

PS:

Polarization sensitivity

R θ :

Response to polarized light at a particular E-vector

θ :

E-vector angle

θ max :

E-vector angle eliciting a maximum response

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, IOB0613285. I thank the staff of Friday Harbor Labs (University of Washington) for their able assistance. All of the experiments were conducted with a humane concern for the animals’ welfare and in accordance with the University’s animal care regulations.

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  1. Friday Harbor Laboratory, 620 University Rd., Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, USA

    Raymon M. Glantz

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  1. Raymon M. Glantz
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Correspondence to Raymon M. Glantz.

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Glantz, R.M. The distribution of polarization sensitivity in the crayfish retinula. J Comp Physiol A 193, 893–901 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0242-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0242-x

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