Spectral sensitivity, spatial resolution and temporal resolution and their implications for conspecific signalling in cleaner shrimp.
Abstract
Cleaner shrimp (Decapoda) regularly interact with conspecifics and client reef fish,
both of which appear colourful and finely patterned to human observers. However, whether
cleaner shrimp can perceive the colour patterns of conspecifics and clients is unknown,
because cleaner shrimp visual capabilities are unstudied. We quantified spectral sensitivity
and temporal resolution using electroretinography (ERG), and spatial resolution using
both morphological (inter-ommatidial angle) and behavioural (optomotor) methods in
three cleaner shrimp species: Lysmata amboinensis, Ancylomenes pedersoni and Urocaridella
antonbruunii. In all three species, we found strong evidence for only a single spectral
sensitivity peak of (mean ± s.e.m.) 518 ± 5, 518 ± 2 and 533 ± 3 nm, respectively.
Temporal resolution in dark-adapted eyes was 39 ± 1.3, 36 ± 0.6 and 34 ± 1.3 Hz. Spatial
resolution was 9.9 ± 0.3, 8.3 ± 0.1 and 11 ± 0.5 deg, respectively, which is low compared
with other compound eyes of similar size. Assuming monochromacy, we present approximations
of cleaner shrimp perception of both conspecifics and clients, and show that cleaner
shrimp visual capabilities are sufficient to detect the outlines of large stimuli,
but not to detect the colour patterns of conspecifics or clients, even over short
distances. Thus, conspecific viewers have probably not played a role in the evolution
of cleaner shrimp appearance; rather, further studies should investigate whether cleaner
shrimp colour patterns have evolved to be viewed by client reef fish, many of which
possess tri- and tetra-chromatic colour vision and relatively high spatial acuity.
Type
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12477Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1242/jeb.122275Publication Info
Caves, Eleanor M; Frank, Tamara M; & Johnsen, Sönke (2016). Spectral sensitivity, spatial resolution and temporal resolution and their implications
for conspecific signalling in cleaner shrimp. J Exp Biol, 219(Pt 4). pp. 597-608. 10.1242/jeb.122275. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/12477.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Eleanor Caves
Affiliate
Sonke Johnsen
Professor of Biology
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