Physiological characterization of the compound eye in monarch butterflies with focus on the dorsal rim area |
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Authors: | Julia Stalleicken Thomas Labhart Henrik Mouritsen |
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Institution: | (1) VW Nachwuchsgruppe Animal Navigation, IBU, University of Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany;(2) Zoological Institute, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | The spectral, angular and polarization sensitivities of photoreceptors in the compound eye of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) are examined using electrophysiological methods. Intracellular recordings reveal a spectrally homogenous population of UV
receptors with optical axes directed upwards and ≥10° to the contralateral side. Based on optical considerations and on the
opsin expression pattern (Sauman et al. 2005), we conclude that these UV receptors belong to the anatomically specialized dorsal rim area (DRA) of the eye. Photoreceptors
in the main retina with optical axes <10° contralateral or ipsilateral have maximal sensitivities in the UV (λmax≤340 nm), the blue (λmax=435 nm) or in the long-wave range (green, λmax=540 nm). The polarization sensitivity (PS) of the UV receptors in the DRA is much higher (PS=9.4) than in the UV cells (PS=2.9)
or green cells (PS=2.8) of the main retina. The physiological properties of the photoreceptors in the DRA and in the main
retina fit closely with the anatomy and the opsin expression patterns described in these eye regions. The data are discussed
in the light of present knowledge about polarized skylight navigation in Lepidopterans. |
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Keywords: | Danaus plexippus Compound eye Dorsal rim area Polarization sensitivity Spectral sensitivity |
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