Spatial, temporal and spectral properties of photoreceptor cells in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)

Uca pugilator are semi-terrestrial brachyuran fiddler crabs that inhabit inter-tidal sand and mud flats. They are social animals that rely exclusively on visual information during several of their behaviors that include mate choice, predator avoidance, burrow surveillance, courtship and territorial interactions. Through several behavioral and optical experiments, it has been previously shown that they have 360° viewing angle on each eye, high spatial resolution along their eye’s midline, improved resolution on the vertical axes and posses excellent optomotor stabilization mechanism. Such understanding of their retinal design has helped us realize that the eyes of fiddler crabs are adapted for specific visual tasks in their geometrically structured habitat. However, the physiological capabilities of this retina are not yet completely understood, especially at the photoreceptor level. The objective of my thesis has been to fill this gap in knowledge, and specifically determine the spatial, temporal and spectral properties of photoreceptor cells through an integrative approach, using several molecular and electrophysiological techniques. Through these experiments, I have shown that the spatial resolution of the eye is best along the eye´s midline (~1°), photoreceptor cells are capable of perceiving up to ~45Hz of flickering light stimuli and that they are capable of perceiving color cues including in the ultra-violet.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Cincinnati

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Rajkumar, Premraj

Contributors dc:contributor

• Layne, John

• Biology
• fiddler crab
• eye
• spatial
• temporal
• spectral
• photoreceptors

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1346171602

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1346171602