The photoreceptors and visual pigments in the retina of a boid snake, the ball python (Python regius)

Citation
Aj. Sillman et al., The photoreceptors and visual pigments in the retina of a boid snake, the ball python (Python regius), J EXP BIOL, 202(14), 1999, pp. 1931-1938
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Biology,"Experimental Biology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
00220949 → ACNP
Volume
202
Issue
14
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1931 - 1938
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-0949(199907)202:14<1931:TPAVPI>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
The photoreceptors and visual pigments of Python regius were studied using microspectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. The retina contain s rods and cones, with rods constituting at least 90% of the photoreceptor population. The rods are of a single type with long, narrow outer segments and are tightly packed. The wavelength of maximum absorbance (lambda(max)) of the visual pigment in the rods is in the region of 494 nm, Two distinct types of cone are present. The most common cone, with a stout but stubby ou ter segment, contains a visual pigment with lambda(max) at approximately 55 1 nm. A relatively rare cone, with a long, slender outer segment, contains an ultraviolet-sensitive visual pigment with lambda(max) at approximately 3 60 nm, All the visual pigments have chromophores based on vitamin A(1). The results are discussed in relation to the behavior of P. regius.