IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [214333]
Spectral composition and visual foraging in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteidae: Gasterosteus aculeatus L.): elucidating the role of ultraviolet wavelengths
Rick, I.P.; Bloemker, D.; Bakker, T.C.M. (2012). Spectral composition and visual foraging in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteidae: Gasterosteus aculeatus L.): elucidating the role of ultraviolet wavelengths. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 105(2): 359-368. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2011.01796.x
In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0024-4066; e-ISSN 1095-8312, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Behaviour > Feeding behaviour > Foraging behaviour
    Color vision
    Environmental effects > Light effects
    Light intensity
    Predator prey interactions
    Properties > Physical properties > Optical properties > Spectral composition
    Gasterosteidae Bonaparte, 1831 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    color vision; foraging behaviour; light environment; predator-preyinteractions

Authors  Top 
  • Rick, I.P.
  • Bloemker, D.
  • Bakker, T.C.M.

Abstract
    Visual signalling can be affected by both the intensity and spectral distribution of environmental light. In shallow aquatic habitats, the spectral range available for visually mediated behaviour, such as foraging, can reach from ultraviolet (UV) to long wavelengths in the human visible range. However, the relative importance of different wavebands in foraging behaviour is generally unknown. Here, we test how the spectral composition of ambient light influences the behaviour of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) when foraging for live cladoceran Daphnia magna. Although paying particular attention to the UV waveband, we measured the foraging preferences of sticklebacks for prey presented under four different spectral conditions. These conditions selectively removed UV (UV–), short-wave (SW–), mid-wave (MW–) or long-wave (LW–) light from the entire spectrum. The absence of UV and long wavelengths strongly reduced prey attractiveness for G. aculeatus compared with conditions without short-wave and mid-wave light. To control for potential light habitat preferences in the main experiment, we conducted a further choice experiment without prey stimuli. Fish in these trials did not discriminate significantly between the different spectral conditions. When comparing both experiments, it was observed that, although filter preferences for MW– and LW– conditions were virtually consistent, they differed at shorter wavelengths, with a reduced preference for UV– conditions and, at the same time, an increased preference for SW– conditions in the presence of prey. Thus, prey choice seems to be strongly affected by visual information at the short-wave end of the spectrum. The foraging preferences were also mirrored by the chromatic contrast values between prey and the experimental background, as calculated for each lighting condition using a series of physiological models on stickleback perception.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors