Visual pigment polymorphism in the guppy poecilia reticulata

S. N. Archer; J. A. Endler; Lythgoe J.N.; J. C. Partridge

doi:10.1016/0042-6989(87)90200-8

Visual pigment polymorphism in the guppy poecilia reticulata

S. N. Archer, J. A. Endler, Lythgoe J.N., J. C. Partridge

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Abstract

Visual pigment polymorphism similar to that found in primates is described in the photoreceptors of wild-caught guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Microspectrophotometric examination of retinal cells revealed rod visual pigments with a λ_max close to 503 nm. Classes of cones with λ_max around 410 and 465 nm were found, together with a population of pigments in the 529-579 nm range. It is in these long-wavelength cones that polymorphism occurs. Male guppies are highly polymorphic for body colour and it is possible that the cone polymorphism is related to the appreciation of the different yellow, orange and red carotenoid colour spots that are used in sexual display.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1243-1252
Number of pages	10
Journal	Vision Research
Volume	27
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6989(87)90200-8
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 1987
Externally published	Yes

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Archer, S. N., Endler, J. A., J.N., L., & Partridge, J. C. (1987). Visual pigment polymorphism in the guppy poecilia reticulata. Vision Research, 27(8), 1243-1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6989(87)90200-8

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N2 - Visual pigment polymorphism similar to that found in primates is described in the photoreceptors of wild-caught guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Microspectrophotometric examination of retinal cells revealed rod visual pigments with a λmax close to 503 nm. Classes of cones with λmax around 410 and 465 nm were found, together with a population of pigments in the 529-579 nm range. It is in these long-wavelength cones that polymorphism occurs. Male guppies are highly polymorphic for body colour and it is possible that the cone polymorphism is related to the appreciation of the different yellow, orange and red carotenoid colour spots that are used in sexual display.

AB - Visual pigment polymorphism similar to that found in primates is described in the photoreceptors of wild-caught guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Microspectrophotometric examination of retinal cells revealed rod visual pigments with a λmax close to 503 nm. Classes of cones with λmax around 410 and 465 nm were found, together with a population of pigments in the 529-579 nm range. It is in these long-wavelength cones that polymorphism occurs. Male guppies are highly polymorphic for body colour and it is possible that the cone polymorphism is related to the appreciation of the different yellow, orange and red carotenoid colour spots that are used in sexual display.

KW - Colour vision

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10.1016/0042-6989(87)90200-8

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