Genetic dissection reveals two separate retinal substrates for polarization vision in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Linearly polarized light originates from atmospheric scattering or surface reflections and is perceived by insects, spiders, cephalopods, crustaceans, and some vertebrates. Thus, the neural basis underlying how this fundamental quality of light is detected is of broad interest. Morphologically unique, polarization-sensitive ommatidia exist in the dorsal periphery of many insect retinas, forming the dorsal rim area (DRA). However, much less is known about the retinal substrates of behavioral responses to polarized reflections.

Summary

Drosophila exhibits polarotactic behavior, spontaneously aligning with the e-vector of linearly polarized light, when stimuli are presented either dorsally or ventrally. By combining behavioral experiments with genetic dissection and

SUBMITTER: Wernet MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3258365 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature