Summary
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1.
The relative spectral sensitivities of identified large second order neurons (L neurons) of the dragonfly ocellus have been examined with dye filled intracellular microelectrodes placed in the brain.
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2.
Representative L neurons of the four geometric classes present in the median ocellar nerve show essentially similar waveforms in response to white, green and UV light.
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3.
Details of the retinal projections of these four neuron classes have been established.
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4.
L neurons exhibit a marked reverse Purkinje shift at low light intensities. Green sensitivity (485 nm) decreased relative to UV sensitivity (360 nm) as the intensity of illumination increased. At a mean intensity of 1.78 × 1012 photons cm−2 s−1 the L neurons are equally sensitive to UV and green light.
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5.
The reverse Purkinje shift is discussed in relation to data previously obtained for dragonfly receptor cell spectral sensitivity and in relation to its possible functional significance.
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The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Ms Sherry Zarrow. Supported in part by Awards; NIH EY 00777 and EY 00040 and PSC/BHE faculty Research Award 13046 to RLC; The Royal Society to LJG and RGG and the Centre for Overseas Pest Research to PGM. RGG was also in receipt of a Wellcome Trust award.
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Mobbs, P.G., Guy, R.G., Goodman, L.J. et al. Relative spectral sensitivity and reverse purkinje shift in identified L neurons of the ocellar retina. J. Comp. Physiol. 144, 91–97 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00612802
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00612802