Action spectrum for the photophobic response of Ciona intestinalis (Ascidieacea, Urochordata) larvae implicates retinal protein

Masashi Nakagawa, Takayuki Miyamoto, Mahito Ohkuma, Motoyuki Tsuda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ascidian tadpole larvae change swimming behavior during the course of development. The photic behavior of the larvae of Ciona intestinalis was monitored by a computerized cell-tracking system with a time resolution of 0.1 s. Newly hatched larvae swim at an average speed of 1.4 mm/s but show no response to light stimuli. The swimming speed of the larvae became slower (0.4 mm/s) 3 h after hatching and they were induced to swim more rapidly by a sudden decrease in light intensity 4 h after hatching. During the course of development, the maximal speed of swimming behavior increased with time until 8 h after hatching and then plateaued. The action spectrum for the step-down photophobic response of the larvae was determined at around 8 h after hatching and was fitted to Dartnall's nomogram with the absorbance maximum of the pigment located at 505 nm. These results suggest retinal proteins in the ocellus of the larvae are the photoreceptors for the photobehavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)359-362
Number of pages4
JournalPhotochemistry and Photobiology
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09-1999
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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