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Updated: Mar 5, 2026

The Optokinetic Response as a Quantitative Measure of Visual Acuity in Zebrafish

The Optokinetic Response as a Quantitative Measure of Visual Acuity in Zebrafish

Published on: October 9, 2013

Visual acuity in the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

Zoe Johnson-Ulrich¹, Eric Hoffmaster¹, Audrey Robeson¹

¹Department of Psychology, Oakland University.

Journal of Comparative Psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)

|March 24, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Striped skunks have very poor vision, with a maximum visual acuity of 0.42 cycles per degree. This limited sight is likely linked to their nocturnal habits and reliance on smell and sound for finding food.

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Area of Science:

Zoology
Animal Behavior
Sensory Ecology

Background:

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are known for their keen sense of smell and hearing.
Their visual capabilities have been less understood, particularly in relation to their ecological niche.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantitatively assess the visual acuity of striped skunks.
To understand how visual performance relates to the skunk's sensory ecology and behavior.

Main Methods:

A two-alternative forced-choice task was employed to test visual acuity.
Square wave gratings were used as visual stimuli under bright illumination.
Skunks were trained to associate visual stimuli with food rewards.

Main Results:

The maximum visual acuity measured in striped skunks was 0.42 cycles per degree.
This level of acuity indicates significantly limited fine detail perception.

Conclusions:

Striped skunks possess poor visual acuity, consistent with their nocturnal lifestyle.
Their reliance on olfaction and audition for foraging is supported by these visual findings.
Limited vision may be an adaptation to their environment and reduced predation pressures.