Transcript Bat Vision - University of Maryland, College Park

Bat Vision
Emphasis on UV sensitivity
Zan Naseer
BSCI338C
Dr. Karen Carleton
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UV Sensitivity
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Research done by Brigette Mueller and colleagues.
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Histological, molecular biological, and electroretinographic recording techniques.
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Stained the retinas of two microbat species with opsin-specific antibodies.
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Stain analysis showed that about 2-4 percent of the photoreceptors were cone.
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Electroretinographic recordings confirmed the functional contribution to UV sensitivity.
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Improved visual orientation at twilight, avoidance of predators, and detection of UV reflecting
plants.
Fluorescence showing both rod and cone
photoreceptors.
Spectral transmittance of Cornea and Lens from 250nm
to 750 nm.
Müller B, Glösmann M, Peichl L, Knop GC, Hagemann C, et al. Bat Eyes Have Ultraviolet-Sensitive Cone Photoreceptors.
PLoS ONE, 4(7): e6390. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006390
-Alignment file of conserved region of long, medium, and short wavelength opsins.
-Similarities between all three opsin types show conservation an importance.
-Difference between short and long opsin in humans is a result of difference in some
amino acids, that are consistent throughout species.
-Even between the short, medium, and long wavelength opsins, there is conservation.
-Tree shows common ancestor between bats and mice for short opsin. Ancestor between chimps and humans is
expected.
-The zebra fish is least similar to the rest of the organism, alignment file shows why.
-Bats share common ancestor with dogs for long opsin.
-Interesting to see that the long opsin for bats and dogs share a common ancestor with the lineage of short opsins.
Short
Long
Medium