Comparing the retinal structures and functions in two species of gulls (Larus delawarensis and Larus modestus) with significant nocturnal behaviours

Vision Research
M P EmondP Lachapelle

Abstract

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and gray gulls (Larus modestus) are two species active both by day and night. We have investigated the retinal adaptations that allow the diurnal and nocturnal behaviours of these two species. Electroretinograms and histological analyses show that both species have a duplex retina in which cones outnumber rods, but the number of rods appears sufficient to provide vision at night. Their retinas respond over the same scotopic dynamic range of 3.4logcdm(-2), which encompasses all of the light levels occurring at night in their photic environment. The amplitudes of the scotopic saturated a- and b-wave responses as well as the photopic saturated b-wave response and the photopic sensitivity parameter S are however higher in ring-billed gulls than in gray gulls. Moreover, the process of dark adaptation is about 30min faster in gray gulls than in ring-billed gulls. Our results suggest that both species have acquired in the course of their evolution functional adaptations that can be related to their specific photic environment.

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Citations

Jan 18, 2012·The Journal of General Physiology·Ferenc I Hárosi, Iñigo Novales Flamarique
Oct 9, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Julien R SerresAnders Hedenström
Jun 21, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Olle LindAlmut Kelber
Dec 24, 2021·Anatomia, histologia, embryologia·Noemi VictoryMagdalena García

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