The Spectral Sensitivity of the Retinal Action Potential in the Compound Eye of the Adult Mosquito, Aedes aegypti L.,
Abstract
Adult female mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti L.) were exposed to equal energy stimuli from narrow regions of the spectrum and their retinal action potentials recorded. Stimuli were 450 msec. in duration and were of two different intensities. At the higher intensity, the average energy content of the stimuli was 47.9 ergs/sq. cm. sec.; at the lower intensity, the average energy content was 15.2 ergs/sq cm. sec. In each of the mosquitoes used, 25 responses at each of the different spectral regions were collected on the computer. These averaged responses were plotted on graph paper by a recorder, and the amplitude of the retinal action potential was taken from these plots at the moment the light stimulus ceased. The wavelength at which maximum response occurs was computed to be 478 nm. This value was the same at both of the intensities used, indicating that no shift of the peak response to shorter wavelengths occurred at the lower stimulus intensity. Additional investigations concerning the morphologic changes which might be produced by different regions of the spectrum are discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0717844
Entities
People
- Donald G. Pitts
- J. D. Brammer
- James Strong
- John Legg
- William Miles
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine