Retinal receptors in rodents maximally sensitive to ultraviolet light.
High sensitivity to near-ultraviolet light is a fundamental feature of vision in many invertebrates. Among vertebrates there are some amphibians, birds and fishes that are also sensitive to near-ultraviolet wavelengths. This sensitivity can be achieved through a class of cone photoreceptor containing an ultraviolet-sensitive pigment. Although these receptors were thought not to exist in the eyes of mammals, we now report that some rodents have a retinal mechanism that is maximally sensitive to ultraviolet light.
Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106.
G H
GH
Jacobs
J
J
Neitz
J F
JF
Deegan
D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005849:Gerbillinae; D051379:Mice; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000502:physiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays