Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-hgkh8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T11:43:59.856Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cone contributions to the photopic spectral sensitivity of the zebrafish ERG

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 1998

ALAN HUGHES
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Department of Psychology, University of Louisville, Louisville
SHANNON SASZIK
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
JOSEPH BILOTTA
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
PAUL J. DEMARCO
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Louisville, Louisville Louisville VA Medical Center, Louisville
WARREN F. PATTERSON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

Abstract

Microspectrophotometry studies show that zebrafish (Danio rerio) possess four cone photopigments. The purpose of this study was to determine the cone contributions to the zebrafish photopic increment threshold spectral-sensitivity function. Electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave responses to monochromatic lights presented on a broadband or chromatic background were obtained. It was found that under the broadband background condition, the zebrafish spectral-sensitivity function showed several peaks that were narrower in sensitivity compared to the cone spectra. The spectral-sensitivity function was modeled with L − M and M − S opponent interactions and nonopponent S- and U-cone mechanisms. Using chromatic adaptation designed to suppress the contribution of the S-cones, a strong U-cone contribution to the spectral-sensitivity function was revealed, and the contributions of the S-cones to the M − S mechanism were reduced. These results show that the b-wave component of the ERG receives input from all four cone types and appears to reflect color opponent mechanisms. Thus, zebrafish may possess the fundamental properties necessary for color vision.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1998 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)