Literaturdatenbank |
Young, M. (2012). Visual wavelength discrimination by the loggerhead turtle, caretta caretta. Unpublished thesis , Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:23:15 UTC) |
Resource type: Thesis/Dissertation BibTeX citation key: anon2012.14779 View all bibliographic details |
Categories: General Keywords: Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Sehvermögen - vision Creators: Young Publisher: Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, Florida) |
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Abstract |
Little is known about the visual capabilities of marine turtles. The ability to discriminate between colors has not been adequately demonstrated on the basis of behavioral criteria. I used a three-part methodology to determine if color discrimination occurred. First, I exposed naïve, light-adapted hatchlings to either a blue, green or yellow light. I manipulated light intensity to obtain a behavioral phototaxis threshold to each color, which provided a range of intensities we knew turtles could detect. Second, I used food to train older turtles to swim toward one light color, and then to discriminate between the rewarded light and another light color; lights were presented at intensities equally above the phototaxis threshold. Lastly, I varied light intensity so that brightness could not be used as a discrimination cue. Six turtles completed this task and showed a clear ability to select a rewarded over a non-rewarded color, regardless of stimulus intensity. Turtles most rapidly learned to associate shorter wavelengths (blue) with food. My results clearly show loggerheads have color vision. Further investigation is required to determine how marine turtles exploit this capability.
Added by: Admin |