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Phototactic response and light sensitivity in an epigean and a hypogean population of a barb (Garra barreimiae, Cyprinidae)

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Abstract

We investigated the response of two populations of the barb Garra barreimiae to different light intensities (0.5–2000 lx) from a light source. Adults of both the surface (epigean) and cave (hypogean) G. barreimiae populations show photophobic behavior. A photophobic response in the cave form was seen only at higher light intensities because the cavefish are eyeless and rely on extra-retinal light receptors to detect light. In contrast, juveniles (surface and cave) showed photophilic behavior, and their preference for the photic zone of the test tank decreased with increasing age. We discuss the potential role played by photophobic behavior for the colonization of caves by previously surface-dwelling fishes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank H. Wilkens for access to his fish stocks and J. Parzefall for valuable discussions. G.S. Proudlove (Manchester, UK) and C. Franssen (College Station, TX, USA) kindly read and commented on a previous manuscript draft. Financial support came from the DFG to M.P. (PL 470/1-1, 470/1-2). We thank A. Taebel-Hellwig and the aquarium team in Hamburg for help with animal care. The experiments presented in this paper comply with the current laws in Germany.

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  1. Martin Plath

    Present address: Unit of Animal Ecology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469, Potsdam, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biozentrum Grindel und Zoologisches Museum der Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Mirna Timmermann

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Martin Plath

  3. Unit of Evolutionary Biology and Systematic Zoology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany

    Martin Plath

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  1. Mirna Timmermann
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Correspondence to Martin Plath.

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Timmermann, M., Plath, M. Phototactic response and light sensitivity in an epigean and a hypogean population of a barb (Garra barreimiae, Cyprinidae). Aquat Ecol 43, 539–547 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-008-9173-z

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