PUBLICATION

Behavioral visual responses of wild-type and hypopigmented zebrafish

Authors
Ren, J.Q., McCarthy, W.R., Zhang, H., Adolph, A.R., and Li, L.
ID
ZDB-PUB-020130-4
Date
2002
Source
Vision Research   42(3): 293-299 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Li, Lei, Ren, Jason (Qianshen)
Keywords
chromophore; visual sensitivity; contrast sensitivity; retina; zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Albinism, Ocular/pathology
  • Albinism, Ocular/psychology*
  • Animals
  • Chromatophores/physiology*
  • Contrast Sensitivity/physiology
  • Dark Adaptation/physiology
  • Escape Reaction/physiology*
  • Lighting
  • Melanophores/physiology
  • Retina/pathology
  • Visual Perception/physiology*
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
11809482 Full text @ Vision Res.
Abstract
Zebrafish possess three classes of chromatophores that include iridophores, melanophores, and xanthophores. Mutations that lack one or two classes of chromatophores have been isolated or genetically constructed. Using a behavioral assay based on visually mediated escape responses, we measured the visual response of fully and partially pigmented zebrafish. In zebrafish that lack iridophores (roy mutants), the behavioral visual responses were similar to those of wild-type animals except at low contrast stimulation. In the absence of melanophores (albino mutants) or both melanophores and iridophores (ruby mutants), the behavioral visual responses were normal under moderate illumination but reduced when tested under dim or bright conditions or under low contrast stimulation. Together, the data suggest that screening pigments in the retina play a role in the regulation of behavioral visual responses and are necessary for avoiding "scatter" under bright light conditions.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping