Skip to main content

Theoretical Considerations about Tapeta Lucida

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 1))

Abstract

Many fishes employ a catoptric device, the tapetum lucidum, to increase light absorption by the retina. The ocular structure and habits of these fishes indicate that they are adapted to a mode of existence in dim light and that tapeta might aid vision under such circumstances by enhancing sensitivity. Unfortunately, little experimental evidence is available about the role of fish tapeta in vision, so even an indirect approach may contribute useful information.

I have had a most rare vision. A Midsummer’s Night’s dream, Act IV, Sc. 1

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Barlow, H.B. (1956). Retinal noise and absolute threshold. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 46: 634–639.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, H.B. (1965). Optic nerve impulses and Weber’s law. Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology. XXX Sensory Receptors.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denton, E.J. and Nicol, J.A.C. (1964). The chorioidal tapeta of some cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 44: 219–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, J.E. (1960). Chemistry of visual adaptation in the rat. Nature (London) 188: 114–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duntley, S.W. (1963). Light in the sea. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 53: 214–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harosi, F.I. (1971). Frog rhodopsin in situ: orientational and spectral changes in the chromophores of isolated retinal rod cells. Ph. D. Dissertation. Johns Hopkins University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hester, F.J. (1968). Visual contrast thresholds of goldfish (Carassius auvatus). Vision Res. 8: 1315–1336.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard, R. (1958). Bleaching of rhodopsins by light and heat. Nature (London), 181: 1126.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeGrand, Y. (1957). Light, colour and vision. Chapman and Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebman, P.A. (1962). In situ microspectrophotometric studies on the pigments of single retinal rods. Biophys. J. 2: 161–178.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lythgoe, J.N. (1968). Visual pigments and visual range underwater. Vision Res. 8: 997–1012.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rushton, W.A.H. (1965). Bleached rhodopsin and visual adaptation. J. Physiol. 181: 645–655.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, J.E. (1960). Radiance distribution as a function of depth in an underwater environment. Bull. Scripps Inst. Oceanog. Univ. Calif. 7: 363–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, J.W.T. (1965). Photometry. Dover Publ., New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1975 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zyznar, E. (1975). Theoretical Considerations about Tapeta Lucida. In: Ali, M.A. (eds) Vision in Fishes. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0241-5_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0241-5_29

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0243-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0241-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics