Red vision in animals is broadly associated with lighting environment but not types of visual task
Data files
Jan 12, 2024 version files 60.04 KB
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Dataset_DRYAD.csv
57.21 KB
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README.md
2.84 KB
Abstract
Red sensitivity is the exception rather than the norm in most animal groups. Among species with a long wavelength sensitive (LWS) photoreceptor, peak wavelength sensitivity (λmax) varies substantially and it is unclear whether this variation can be explained by visual tuning to the light environment or to visual tasks such as signalling or foraging. Here, we examine long wavelength sensitivity across a broad range of taxa showing diversity in LWS photoreceptor λmax: insects, crustaceans, arachnids, amphibians, reptiles, fish, sharks and rays. We identified 161 species with a LWS photoreceptor (λmax ≥ 550 nm). We found evidence supporting visual tuning to the light environment: terrestrial species had longer λmax than aquatic species, and of these, species from turbid shallow waters had longer λmax than those from clear or deep waters. Of the terrestrial species, diurnal species had longer λmax than nocturnal species, but we did not detect any differences across terrestrial habitats (closed, intermediate or open). We found no association with proxies for visual tasks such as having red morphological features or utilising flowers or coral reefs. These results support the emerging consensus that, in general, visual systems are adapted to broad range of tasks, rather than tuned to certain tasks.
README
Red sensitivity is associated with lighting environment but not visual tasks
Authors: Bryony M. Margetts, Devi Stuart-Fox and Amanda M. Franklin
The dataset and R code in this Dryad database will run all analyses in the manuscript, and produce the figures and supplementary table.
R Script: RedVision_Analysis.rmd
This is an RMarkdown file which will run the analyses for the manuscript.
Dataset: Dataset_DRYAD.csv
Info: This dataset include all the species identified to have a long wavelength sensitive photoreceptor. For each species, we have documented environmental, behavioural and morphological variables as well as sensitivity of all photoreceptors. References for photoreceptor sensitivity data are provide.
Class: Biological classification
Order: Biological classification
Family: Biological classification
Genus: Biological classification
Species: Biological classification
Population: where applicable, population location if different populations of the same species were measured.
Habitat1: Broad-scale habitat type. Terrestrial, aquatic or semi aquatic
Habitat2: Sub-habitat type.
terrestrial: open/ intermediate/closed
aquatic: shallow-turbid/ shallow-clear/deep
Note: semi-aquatic species have a combination of terrestrial and aquatic sub-habitat type
Reef_coral_association: Aquatic organisms only, presence (Y) or absence (N) of coral associations, including feeding on, breeding in, or inhabiting coral reefs
Lifestage: Life stage at time of measuring max. Adult or immature
Activity: Species has activity pattern that is diurnal (D), nocturnal (N), is active during both day and night (B) or not applicable (NA).
Flower_visitor: Flower association (e.g., forages upon or inhabits) present (Y) or absent (N)
Diet: Diet of each species. Not used in analyses.
notes: Extra remarks regarding morphological colouration, mate choice preference if applicable, and other potential indicators for longwavelength visual sensitivity
Sex: Sex of the individuals used to collect max data. Female (F), male (M), or both sexes (B)
Hue_dimorph: Presence (Y) or absence (N) of sexual dimorphism relating to
hue. i.e. any difference in colour, including colours other than red.
Intensity_dimorph: Presence (Y) or absence (N) of sexual dimorphism relating to colour intensity.
Red_feature: Presence (Y) or absence (N) of a red morphological feature for either one or both sexs
X1 -> X11: Spectral sensitivity of each photoreceptor present
Ymax: Spectral sensitivity of the longwavelength photoreceptor
Methods: Method used by author/s to obtain spectral sensitivity data.
Electroretinogram (ERG), microspectrophotometry (MSP), intracellular
(Intra), stain or a combination of the above
Reference: Original reference for photoreceptor sensitivity
Reference.date: Date of paper publication
doi..full.citation: DOI for publication
Methods
Full details of data collection and processing are in the manuscript.
Usage notes
R/RStudio