Retinal Anatomy of hatchling sea turtles: Anatomical specializations and behavioral correlates |
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| Authors: | Lisa J. Oliver Michael Salmon Jeanette Wyneken Robert Hueter Thomas W. Cronin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biological Sciences , Florida Atlantic University , Boca Raton, Florida, 33431, USA;2. Dept. of Biological Sciences , Florida Atlantic University , 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431, USA Phone: 561–297–2747 Fax: 561–297–2747 E-mail: salmon@fau.edu;3. Center for Shark Research , Mote Marine Laboratory , 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida, 34236, USA;4. Department of Biological Sciences , University of Maryland Baltimore County , Baltimore, Maryland, 21250, USA |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
The eyes of three species of sea turtle hatchlings (loggerheads, green turtles, and leatherbacks) possess visual streaks, areas of densely packed ganglion cells running along the antero‐posterior retinal axis. These probably function to provide heightened visual acuity along the horizon. The vertical extent and absolute concentration of cells within the streak, compared to the rest of the retina, differ among the species. Leatherbacks have an additional specialized region (area temporalis) that might enhance their ability to detect prey below them in the water column. Green turtles and loggerheads, but not leatherbacks, show compensatory eye reflexes that keep the visual streak horizontal. Species differences in retinal structure and eye reflexes probably reflect their unique specializations in visual ecology and behaviour. |
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| Keywords: | Sea turtles Retina Ecology Vision Behavior |
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