Visual physiology of larval stomatopod crustaceans


SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING (VAM)
January 3 – Febuary 28, 2021

Meeting Abstract


BSP-8-7  Sun Jan 3 18:15 – 18:30  Visual physiology of larval stomatopod crustaceans McDonald, MS*; Cohen, JH; Porter, ML; University of Hawai’i at Mānoa; University of Delaware; University of Hawai’i at Mānoa marisam7@hawaii.edu

Stomatopod crustaceans are known for having one of the most complex visual systems in the animal kingdom. While the adults have historically received the majority of attention, limited work has been focused on larval stomatopods. Stomatopod larvae must survive as planktonic organisms for days to months before settling. One key aspect of survival is the visual system, which is used for a wide range of important biological tasks. It has been generally understood that pelagic crustacean larvae with compound eyes have a single spectral class of photoreceptors. However, recent evidence suggests that stomatopod larvae may have multiple photoreceptor types, including ultraviolet. Based on this, the visual physiology of stomatopod larvae was examined using electroretinogram (ERG) recordings and behavioral phototaxis responses. Larval stomatopods were collected in Summer and Fall 2020 on Oahu, Hawaii. ERG recordings were completed using broadband comparisons at matched irradiances of UV (peak 330), blue (peak 500), green (peak 530), and orange (peak 570) filtered light across multiple species and larval stages. Additionally, matched phototaxis trials were completed at the same irradiance levels and colors to determine if the physiological response translated to behavior. This work expands upon recent research into the complexities of larval stomatopod visual systems, once believed to be simple and uniform. Larval stomatopods are the first larval crustaceans to show evidence of UV vision, and this work is important to increase our understanding of the visual ecology of the early life stages of these unique crustaceans.

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