Fish Vision and the Detection of Planktonic Prey
1982; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Volume: 218; Issue: 4578 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1126/science.7146908
ISSN1095-9203
AutoresNelson G. Hairston, Kao T. Li, Stephen S. Easter,
Tópico(s)Fish Ecology and Management Studies
ResumoPlanktivorous sunfish of various sizes were studied to ascertain whether growth-related changes in the retina are related to the ability to capture small planktonic crustaceans. Behaviorally, the larger fish detected and captured crustaceans that subtended smaller visual angles. Histological examination of the retinas revealed that the distance between cones, measured in minutes of visual angle, decreased as the animals grew, suggesting that the larger retinas could resolve smaller objects. These correlated behavioral and anatomical results suggest that improved visual resolution contributes to improved predation. This finding provides a selective advantage for the continuous retinal growth noted in many fish.
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