True UV color vision in a female butterfly with two UV opsins

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan D. Finkbeiner ◽  
Adriana D. Briscoe
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Heliconius Melpomene ◽  
Opsin Genes ◽  
Behavioral Evidence ◽  
Blue Range ◽  
True Color ◽  
Wing Coloration ◽  
Uv Range

ABSTRACT In true color vision, animals discriminate between light wavelengths, regardless of intensity, using at least two photoreceptors with different spectral sensitivity peaks. Heliconius butterflies have duplicate UV opsin genes, which encode ultraviolet and violet photoreceptors, respectively. In Heliconius erato, only females express the ultraviolet photoreceptor, suggesting females (but not males) can discriminate between UV wavelengths. We tested the ability of H. erato, and two species lacking the violet receptor, Heliconius melpomene and Eueides isabella, to discriminate between 380 and 390 nm, and between 400 and 436 nm, after being trained to associate each stimulus with a sugar reward. We found that only H. erato females have color vision in the UV range. Across species, both sexes show color vision in the blue range. Models of H. erato color vision suggest that females have an advantage over males in discriminating the inner UV-yellow corollas of Psiguria flowers from their outer orange petals. Moreover, previous models ( McCulloch et al., 2017) suggested that H. erato males have an advantage over females in discriminating Heliconius 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHK) yellow wing coloration from non-3-OHK yellow wing coloration found in other heliconiines. These results provide some of the first behavioral evidence for female H. erato UV color discrimination in the context of foraging, lending support to the hypothesis ( Briscoe et al., 2010) that the duplicated UV opsin genes function together in UV color vision. Taken together, the sexually dimorphic visual system of H. erato appears to have been shaped by both sexual selection and sex-specific natural selection.

scholarly journals True UV color vision in a butterfly with two UV opsins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan D. Finkbeiner ◽  
Adriana D. Briscoe
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
List Type ◽  
Opsin Genes ◽  
Multiple Wavelengths ◽  
Yellow Corolla ◽  
Behavioral Evidence ◽  
Blue Range ◽  
Pollen Flowers ◽  
Wing Coloration

ABSTRACTTrue color vision in animals is achieved when wavelength discrimination occurs based on chromatic content of the stimuli, regardless of intensity. In order to successfully discriminate between multiple wavelengths, animals must use at least two photoreceptor types with different spectral sensitivity peaks.Heliconius butterflies have duplicate UV opsin genes, which encode two kinds of photoreceptors with peak sensitivities in the ultraviolet and violet, respectively. In H. erato, the ultraviolet photoreceptor is only expressed in females.Evidence from intracellular recordings suggests female H. erato may be able to discriminate between UV wavelengths, however, this has yet to be tested experimentally.Using an arena with a controlled light setting, we tested the ability of H. erato, and two species lacking the violet receptor, H. melpomene and outgroup Eueides isabella, to discriminate between two ultraviolet wavelengths, 380 and 390 nm, as well as two blue wavelengths, 400 and 436 nm, after being trained to associate each stimulus with a food reward. Wavelength stimuli were presented in varying intensities to rule out brightness as a cue.We found that H. erato females were the only butterflies capable of color vision in the UV range; the other butterflies had an intensity-dependent preference for UV stimuli. Across species, both sexes showed color vision in the blue-range.Models of H. erato color vision suggest that females have an advantage over males in discriminating the inner UV-yellow corolla of Psiguria pollen flowers from the surrounding outer orange petals, while previous models (McCulloch et al. 2017) suggested that H. erato males have an advantage over females in discriminating Heliconius 3-hyroxykynurenine (3-OHK) yellow wing coloration from non-3-OHK yellow wing coloration found in mimics.These results provide some of the first behavioral evidence for UV color discrimination in Heliconius females in the context of foraging, lending support to the hypothesis (Briscoe et al. 2010) that the duplicated UV opsin genes function together in UV color vision. Taken together, the sexually dimorphic visual system of H. erato appears to have been shaped by both sexual selection and sex-specific natural selection.

Bipolar cell pathways for color vision in non-primate dichromats

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN PULLER ◽  
SILKE HAVERKAMP
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Bipolar Cell ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Retinal Pathways ◽  
Retinal Information Processing ◽  
Cone Opsins ◽  
Retinal Information

AbstractColor vision in mammals is based on the expression of at least two cone opsins that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light. Furthermore, retinal pathways conveying color-opponent signals are required for color discrimination. Most of the primates are trichromats, and “color-coded channels” of their retinas are unveiled to a large extent. In contrast, knowledge of cone-selective pathways in nonprimate dichromats is only slowly emerging, although retinas of dichromats like mice or rats are extensively studied as model systems for retinal information processing. Here, we review recent progress of research on color-coded pathways in nonprimate dichromats to identify differences or similarities between di- and trichromatic mammals. In addition, we applied immunohistochemical methods and confocal microscopy to retinas of different species and present data on their neuronal properties, which are expected to contribute to color vision. Basic neuronal features such as the “blue cone bipolar cell” exist in every species investigated so far. Moreover, there is increasing evidence for chromatic OFF channels in dichromats and retinal ganglion cells that relay color-opponent signals to the brain. In conclusion, di- and trichromats share similar retinal pathways for color transmission and processing.

BEHAVIORAL EVIDENCE FOR COLOR DISCRIMINATION IN CAT

1964 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy K. Mello ◽  
Neil J. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Behavioral Evidence

scholarly journals Sex-related differences in chromatic sensitivity

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. RODRÍGUEZ-CARMONA ◽  
L.T. SHARPE ◽  
J.A. HARLOW ◽  
J.L. BARBUR
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Color Space ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Luminance Contrast ◽  
Choice Procedure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Forced Choice Procedure ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Chromatic Sensitivity ◽  
Female Carriers

Generally women are believed to be more discriminating than men in the use of color names and this is often taken to imply superior color vision. However, if both X-chromosome linked color deficient males (∼8%) and females (<1%) as well as heterozygote female carriers (∼15%) are excluded from comparisons, then differences between men and women in red-green (RG) color discrimination have been reported as not being significant (e.g., Pickford, 1944; Hood et al., 2006). We re-examined this question by assessing the performance of 150 males and 150 females on the color assessment and diagnosis (CAD) test (Rodriguez-Carmona et al., 2005). This is a sensitive test that yields small color detection thresholds. The test employs direction-specific, moving, chromatic stimuli embedded in a background of random, dynamic, luminance contrast noise. A four-alternative, forced-choice procedure is employed to measure the subject's thresholds for detection of color signals in 16 directions in color space, while ensuring that the subject cannot make use of any residual luminance contrast signals. In addition, we measured the Rayleigh anomaloscope matches in a subgroup of 111 males and 114 females. All the age-matched males (30.8 ± 9.7) and females (26.7 ± 8.8) had normal color vision as diagnosed by a battery of conventional color vision tests. Females with known color deficient relatives were excluded from the study. Comparisons between the male and female groups revealed no significant differences in anomaloscope midpoints (p = 0.709), but a significant difference in matching ranges (p = 0.040); females on average tended to have a larger mean range (4.11) than males (3.75). Females also had significantly higher CAD thresholds than males along the RG (p = 0.0004), but not along the yellow-blue (YB) discrimination axis. The differences between males and females in RG discrimination may be related to the heterozygosity in X-linked cone photo pigment expression common among females.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of a wild-caught hybrid between non-sister Heliconius butterfly species

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 660-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanchon K Dasmahapatra ◽  
Armando Silva-Vásquez ◽  
Jae-Woo Chung ◽  
James Mallet
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Distant Hybridization ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Heliconius Melpomene ◽  
Wing Coloration

Interspecific hybridization occurs regularly in wild Heliconius butterflies, although hybrid individuals are usually very rare. However, hybridization generally occurs only between the most closely related species. We report a rare naturally occurring hybrid between non-sister species and carry out the first genetic analysis of such distant hybridization. Mitochondrial and nuclear genes indicate that the specimen is an F 1 hybrid between a female Heliconius ethilla and a male Heliconius melpomene , originating from a group of 13 species estimated to have diverged over 2.5 Myr ago. The presence of such distant natural hybrids, together with evidence for backcrossing, suggests that gene flow across species boundaries can take place long after speciation. Adaptive genes such as those involved in wing coloration could thus be widely shared among members of this highly mimetic genus.

scholarly journals Multidimensional scaling of D15 caps: Color-vision defects among tobacco smokers?

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID BIMLER ◽  
JOHN KIRKLAND
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Multidimensional Scaling ◽  
Color Vision ◽  
Color Space ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Toxic Exposure ◽  
Panel Test ◽  
Individual Variations ◽  
Color Vision Defects ◽  
Vision Defects

Tobacco smoke contains a range of toxins including carbon monoxide and cyanide. With specialized cells and high metabolic demands, the optic nerve and retina are vulnerable to toxic exposure. We examined the possible effects of smoking on color vision: specifically, whether smokers perceive a different pattern of suprathreshold color dissimilarities from nonsmokers. It is already known that smokers differ in threshold color discrimination, with elevated scores on the Roth 28-Hue Desaturated panel test. Groups of smokers and nonsmokers, matched for sex and age, followed a triadic procedure to compare dissimilarities among 32 pigmented stimuli (the caps of the saturated and desaturated versions of the D15 panel test). Multidimensional scaling was applied to quantify individual variations in the salience of the axes of color space. Despite the briefness, simplicity, and “low-tech” nature of the procedure, subtle but statistically significant differences did emerge: on average the smoking group were significantly less sensitive to red–green differences. This is consistent with some form of injury to the optic nerve.

Breeding Behaviour and Oviposition in Hetaerina americana (Fabricius) and H. titia (Drury) (Odonata: Agriidae)

1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Species Recognition ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Ischnura Elegans ◽  
Wing Patterns ◽  
Central Texas ◽  
Abdominal Appendages ◽  
Calopteryx Splendens ◽  
Wing Coloration

The objective of this study is to describe the copulatory and ovipositional behaviour of Hetaerina americana and H. titia, and to depict any differences in such behaviour as may exist between these two species. It is quite important in such studies to understand the mechanisms which assure conspecific mating. Both americana and titia are found breeding together on many of the streams of central Texas. Williamson (1906) pointed out that species in which the abdominal appendages were very similar often had sexually dimorphic and/or specifically distinct wing coloration, while species with clear wings had quite distinct abdominal appendages. These different wing patterns were suggested as functioning in species recognition for conspecific mating. Buchholtz (1951, 1955) experimentally verified that the females of Calopteryx splendens recognize and respond to males of their own species through a set of optical stimuli including the color pattern of the wing. Loibl (1958) and Krieger and Krieger-Lobl (1958) experimentally demonstrated that in Lestes dryas, L. sponsa, Ischnura elegans and I. pumila, all of which have clear, colorless wings, the species recognition factors are the shape of the abdominal appendages and body coloration. Williamson's early inferences appear to have been well documented.

scholarly journals Comparison of color discrimination in chronic heavy smokers and healthy subjects

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Monteiro de Paiva Fernandes ◽  
Natanael Antonio dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Toxic Chemicals ◽  
Heavy Smoking ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Fundoscopic Examination ◽  
Choice Method ◽  
Heavy Smokers

Background: Cigarette smoke is probably the most significant source of exposure to toxic chemicals for humans, involving health-damaging components, such as nicotine, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of chronic heavy smoking on color discrimination (CD). Methods: All subjects were free of any neuropsychiatric disorder, identifiable ocular disease and had normal acuity. No abnormalities were detected in the fundoscopic examination and in the optical coherence tomography exam. We assessed color vision for healthy heavy smokers (n = 15; age range, 20-45 years), deprived smokers (n = 15, age range 20-45 years) and healthy non-smokers (n = 15; age range, 20-45 years), using the psychophysical forced-choice method. All groups were matched for gender and education level. In this paradigm, the volunteers had to choose the pseudoisochromatic stimulus containing a test frequency at four directions (e.g., up, down, right and left) in the subtest of Cambridge Colour Test (CCT): Trivector. Results: Performance on CCT differed between groups, and the observed pattern was that smokers had lower discrimination compared to non-smokers. In addition, deprived smokers presented lower discrimination to smokers and non-smokers. Contrary to expectation, the largest differences were observed for medium and long wavelengths. Conclusions: These results suggests that cigarette smoke and chronic exposure to nicotine, or withdrawal from nicotine, affects CD. This highlights the importance of understanding the diffuse effects of nicotine either attentional bias on color vision.

scholarly journals Comparison of color discrimination in chronic heavy smokers and healthy subjects

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Monteiro de Paiva Fernandes ◽  
Natalia Leandro Almeida ◽  
Natanael Antonio dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Toxic Chemicals ◽  
Heavy Smoking ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Fundoscopic Examination ◽  
Choice Method ◽  
Heavy Smokers

Background: Cigarette smoke is probably the most significant source of exposure to toxic chemicals for humans, involving health-damaging components, such as nicotine, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of chronic heavy smoking on color discrimination (CD). Methods: All subjects were free of any neuropsychiatric disorder, identifiable ocular disease and had normal acuity. No abnormalities were detected in the fundoscopic examination and in the optical coherence tomography exam. We assessed color vision for healthy heavy smokers (n = 15; age range, 20-45 years), deprived smokers (n = 15, age range 20-45 years) and healthy non-smokers (n = 15; age range, 20-45 years), using the psychophysical forced-choice method. All groups were matched for gender and education level. In this paradigm, the volunteers had to choose the pseudoisochromatic stimulus containing a test frequency at four directions (e.g., up, down, right and left) in the subtest of Cambridge Colour Test (CCT): Trivector. Results: Performance on CCT differed between groups, and the observed pattern was that smokers had lower discrimination compared to non-smokers. In addition, deprived smokers presented lower discrimination to smokers and non-smokers. Contrary to expectation, the largest differences were observed for medium and long wavelengths. Conclusions: These results suggests that cigarette smoke and chronic exposure to nicotine, or withdrawal from nicotine, affects CD. This highlights the importance of understanding the diffuse effects of nicotine either attentional bias on color vision.

scholarly journals Foraging Small White Butterflies, Pieris rapae, Search Flowers Using Color Vision

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Arikawa ◽  
Yoshihiro Nakatani ◽  
Hisaharu Koshitaka ◽  
Michiyo Kinoshita
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Color Vision ◽  
Pieris Rapae ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Action Spectrum ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
True Color ◽  
Flower Preference ◽  
Colored Disk

We demonstrate that the small white butterfly, Pieris rapae, uses color vision when searching flowers for foraging. We first trained newly emerged butterflies in a series of indoor behavioral experiments to take sucrose solution on paper disks, colored either blue, green, yellow, or red. After confirming that the butterflies were trained to visit a certain colored disk, we presented all disks simultaneously. The butterflies selected the disk of trained color, even among an array of disks with different shades of gray. We performed the training using monochromatic lights and measured the action spectrum of the feeding behavior to determine the targets’ Pieris-subjective brightness. We used the subjective brightness information to evaluate the behavioral results and concluded that Pieris rapae butterflies discriminate visual stimuli based on the chromatic content independent of the intensity: they have true color vision. We also found that Pieris butterflies innately prefer blue and yellow disks, which appears to match with their flower preference in the field, at least in part.

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