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THE PARALLEL VISUAL WORLD OF AN INSECT

This study delves into the fascinating visual system of the owl-fly (Ascalaphus macaronius), focusing on its bipartite eye structure and specialized sensitivity to ultraviolet light. The research examines the absorption characteristics of rhodopsin and metarhodopsin, pivotal in triggering the signaling cascade necessary for high-contrast vision against the sky. By optimizing cellular arrestin levels, these insects enhance their predatory success. The findings highlight how visual adaptations help various aerial insects, including dragonflies and mayflies, thrive in their environments.

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THE PARALLEL VISUAL WORLD OF AN INSECT

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  1. THE PARALLEL VISUAL WORLD OF AN INSECT Gregor Belušič, Peter Stušek • University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology

  2. OWL FLY – INTERESTING ANIMAL FROM THE ASPEST OF VISION bipartite eye

  3. ABSORBTION CHARACTERISTICS OF RHODOPSIN AND METARHODOPSIN triggering of signalling cascade exclusive sensitivity in UV

  4. Wsr-1 300 200 100 0 15h 9h 12h 6h 18h SKY RADIANCE VARIABILITY radiance from clouds

  5. DIFFERENCE IN CONTRASTS UV VIS

  6. STEEP RESPONSE FUCTION OF UV RECEPTOR receptor response narrow dinamic range light intensity

  7. VISUAL PIGMENT CYCLE (rhodopsin) (active rhodopsin) activation of signalling cascade (protein) high affinity low affinity Inactivation of metarhodopsin accomplished by arrestin (arr)

  8. 356 nm (30 % R) 471 nm (100 % R) PDA dark POST DEPOLARISING AFTERPOTENTIAL, PDA

  9. RELATIONS BETWEEN PDA AND ERG

  10. CONCLUSIONS • The bipartite eye of owl-fly (Ascalaphus macaronius) is developed for • catching the preys against the sky. 2. In order to accomplish this job the visual cells are exclusive sensitive to UV light to lover the ambiguous background of the sky and to enhance the visual contrast. • The visual cells operate at high light level therefore they pushed to the • “edge” of sufficient arrestin content which is elevated. • Using UV light by just a part of the eye ot the whole eye is probbably the • general strategy for the animals (dragon flies, drones, may flies...) whose • life depends on cathing the preys or mates against the sky .

  11. ABSORBTION CHARACTERISTICS OF RHODOPSIN AND METARHODOPSIN triggers the signalling cascade

  12. PHOTOS OF THE SKY UV visible

  13. PDA AT DIFFERENT l

  14. BIPARTITE EYE OF ASCALAPHUS visual unite ommatidium ommatidium

  15. STABILITY OF PDA

  16. PDA 10 mV 380 nm 100 ms

  17. FORMATION OF SUPERPOSITION IMAGES

  18. SUPERPOSITION OPTICS OF THE EYE

  19. SKY IRRADIANCE

  20. EFFECT OF FOTORECONVERSION

  21. SKY RADIANCE

  22. EFFECT OF MONOCHROMATIC LIGHT

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