[en] Light and electron microscopic observations show that cones-belonging to four types are present in the retina of the common barbel Barbus barbus (L.): short single cones, long single cones, twin cones, and unequal double cones. They do not exhibit any particular arrangement. Estimates of cone density suggest that the common barbel has multichromatic vision but of low acuity and that no difference exists between the lower and the upper parts of the retina. Both cone density (approximately 3000 units/mm(2)) and the proportion of double cones to single cones (approximately 1:3) are low. The view that the barbel has an inferior colour vision is in good agreement with the fact that this species is active mainly at twilight, but with diurnal activity during spawning.
Compère, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement
Poncin, Pascal ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Language :
English
Title :
Microscopic observation of the retinal photoreceptor layer of the common barbel (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Publication date :
1996
Journal title :
Belgian Journal of Zoology
ISSN :
0777-6276
eISSN :
2295-0451
Publisher :
Koninklijke Belgische Vereniging voor Dierkunde, Belgium
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