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LWS visual pigment in owls: Spectral tuning inferred by genetics
Felipe Tadeu Galante Rocha de Vasconcelos1, Maria Julia Vilani Naman1, Einat Hauzman2
1Departamento de Psicologia Experimental, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vision Research
|November 10, 2019
Summary
Owl vision adapts to light conditions through visual pigment shifts. A study of owl opsin genes revealed specific spectral tuning differences, particularly in the burrowing owl, impacting their light sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- * Avian visual pigment evolution
- * Ocular adaptations in raptors
- * Molecular basis of spectral sensitivity
Background:
- * Owls exhibit diverse activity patterns (nocturnal, diurnal, cathemeral) under varying light conditions.
- * Visual adaptations, including spectral sensitivity shifts, are crucial for raptor survival.
- * The long-wavelength-sensitive (LWS) opsin gene is a key determinant of visual pigment spectral tuning.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate adaptive shifts in LWS opsin gene structure and spectral sensitivity across owl species with different activity patterns.
- * To identify specific amino acid substitutions in the LWS opsin responsible for spectral tuning.
- * To examine the presence and relative abundance of L cones in owl retinas.
Main Methods:
- * Sanger sequencing of the LWS opsin gene in five owl species representing nocturnal, diurnal, and cathemeral activity.
- * Immunohistochemistry to detect the presence of L cones in owl retinas.
- * Bioinformatic analysis of LWS opsin sequences to predict spectral tuning (λmax) based on critical amino acid residues.
Main Results:
- * A single amino acid substitution (Threonine to Alanine at residue 269) was identified in the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), shifting its estimated λmax to ~537 nm.
- * Other analyzed owl species exhibited an estimated λmax of ~555 nm, with no variations at other key spectral tuning sites.
- * Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of L cones in all four tested owl species, with a reduced number observed in the American barn owl (Tyto furcata).
Conclusions:
- * Specific amino acid substitutions in the LWS opsin gene, like the one found in the burrowing owl, represent a significant adaptive mechanism for spectral tuning in owls.
- * The observed spectral sensitivity differences may correlate with the distinct light environments and activity patterns of different owl species.
- * Variations in L cone abundance suggest further retinal adaptations contributing to the visual ecology of owls.
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