Photoreception in the nauplius eye of Pandalus borealis Kröyer: Decapoda, Crustacea

Abstract

On the basis of past morphological studies the nauplius eye of Pandalus borealis has been regarded as a simple photoreceptor. This is the first physiological study on its light-sensing capabilities. Small extracellular metal electrodes were used to measure the eye's response (electroretinogram, ERG) to intensity and wavelength controlled light stimuli. Responses demonstrated characteristics similar to responses of other invertebrate photoreceptors. This leads to the conclusion that the nauplius eye of P. borealis is a functional photoreceptor.