title: Sexual difference in color sense in a lycaenid butterfly, Narathura japonica.
abstract: The spectral sensitivity of a lycaenid butterfly, Narathura japonica, was investigated by electroretinography using an integrating sphere that could illuminate the compound eye from almost all directions. Samples were collected from three locations. Butterflies from different locations showed a similar pattern; the first, second, and third peaks (or a shoulder) were located at about 380, 460, and 560 nm, respectively. Males clearly showed the highest sensitivity at the first peak point. In contrast, females showed a higher relative sensitivity than males at the second and third peak points in all samples, and showed broad spectral sensitivity. This male-specific UV-sensitivity is discussed in terms of ecological factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan. ima@ethol.zool.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imafuku
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shichida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002080:Butterflies / Q000502:physiology*; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics