Summary
The waveform of the electroretinograms (ERGs) recorded from the compound eyes in the dark-active fireflyPhoturis lucicrescens was different in the short (near-UV and violet) and long (green-yellow) wavelengths (Fig. 1). The spectral sensitivity curves in the dark and chromatic adaptation conditions suggested the presence of receptor types in the short (near-UV, Fig. 4, and violet, Fig. 5) and long wavelength (green; λmax 550 nm, Figs. 3–5) regions of the spectrum. The green peak is in correspondence with the species' bioluminescence emission peak at 554 nm (Fig. 3c).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- DA :
-
dark-adapted
- ERG :
-
electroretinogram
- VP :
-
visual pigment
References
Autrum H, Zwehl V von (1964) Spektrale Empfindlichkeit einzelner Sehzellen des Bienenauges. Z Vergl Physiol 48:357–384
Barber HS (1951) North American fireflies of the genusPhoturis. Smithson Misc Collect 117:1–58
Carlson SD, Philipson B (1972) Microspectrophotometry of the dioptric apparatus and compound rhabdom of the moth (Manduca sexta) eye. J Insect Physiol 18:1721–1931
Case JE, Buck JB (1973) Behavioural analysis of visual communication in the firefly,Photinus greeni. Biol Bull 145:427–428
Ebrey TG, Honig B (1977) New wavelength dependent visual pigment nomograms. Vision Res 17:147–151
Goldsmith TH (1960) The nature of the retinal action potential and the spectral sensitivities of ultraviolet and green receptor systems of the compound eye of the worker honeybee. J Gen Physiol 43:775–799
Gogala M (1967) Die Spektrale Empfindlichkeit der Doppelaugen vonAscalaphus macaronius Scop. (Neuroptera, Ascalaphidae). Z Vergl Physiol 57:232–243
Kirschfeld K, Feiler R, Franceschini N (1978) A photostable pigment within the rhabdomere of fly photoreceptors no. 7. J Comp Physiol 125:275–284
Lall AB (1981) Electroretinogram and the spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes in the fireflyPhoturis versicolor (Coleoptera — Lampyridae): A correspondence between green sensitivity and species bioluminescence emission. J Insect Physiol 27:461–468
Lall AB, Chapman RM, Trouth CO, Holloway JA (1980a) Spectral mechanisms of the compound eye in the fireflyPhotinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). J Comp Physiol 135:21–27
Lall AB, Seliger HH, Biggley WH, Lloyd JE (1980b) Ecology of colors of bioluminescence in fireflies. Science 210:560–562
Lloyd JE (1978) Insect bioluminescence. In: Herring PJ (ed) Bioluminescence in action. Academic Press, New York, pp 241–272
Mazokhin-Porshnyakov GA (1969) Insect vision. Plenum Press, New York, pp 1–306
Menzel R (1971) Über den Farbensinn vonParavespula germanica F. (Hymenoptera): ERG und selektive Adaptation. Z Vergl Physiol 75:86–104
Nicol JAC (1978) Bioluminescence and vision: In: Herring PJ (ed) Bioluminescence in action. Academic Press, New York, pp 367–398
Paulsen R, Schwemer J (1972) Studies on the insect visual pigment sensitive to ultraviolet light: retinal as the chromophoric group. Biochem Biophys Acta 283:520–529
Schwemer J, Paulsen R (1973) Three visual pigments inDeilephila elpenor (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). J Comp Physiol 86:215–229
Walther JB (1958) Changes induced in spectral sensitivity and form of the retinal action potential of the cockroach eye by selective adaptation. J Insect Physiol 2:142–151
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Contribution No. 1112 of the McCollum-Pratt Institute and Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lall, A.B., Lord, E.T. & Trouth, C.O. Vision in the fireflyPhoturis lucicrescens (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): Spectral sensitivity and selective adaptation in the compound eye. J. Comp. Physiol. 147, 195–200 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609844
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609844