Microstructure and transcriptomics reveal rapid light-induced visual plasticity in the non-obligate cave dweller Oreolalax rhodostigmatus (Megophryidae, Anura).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phenotypic plasticity is a specific area of interest that refers to the ability of an organism to alter its phenotype in response to environmental changes. Adaptive visual plasticity is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various animal species. Cave-dwelling organisms often exhibit visual degeneration, but non-obligate species like Oreolalax rhodostigmatus may retain adaptive plasticity. Currently, no laboratory simulations of light-induced conditions have been reported. This study investigated the morphological, histological, and molecular responses of O. rhodostigmatus tadpoles to prolonged light exposure, hypothesizing structural retinal remodeling and upregulation of phototransduction genes reflecting reversible plasticity.

Results

Histological analysis reve

SUBMITTER: Ma X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12797742 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature