Activity of long-wavelength cones under scotopic conditions in the cyprinid fish Danio aequipinnatus

Abstract

In carp (Cyprinus) and goldfish (Carassius), long-wavelength cones are reported to be active under scotopic conditions. Using the electroretinogram (ERG), we tested another cyprinid fish, Danio aequipinnatus, which contains A₁-based visual pigments and for which we had previously measured the spectral sensitivities of individual cones. Dark adaptation curves show a rod/cone break at about 45 min. When thoroughly dark-adapted, the spectral sensitivity function is broader than can be accounted for by self-screening of rhodopsin, but it can be modeled by an additive combination of rods and the 560-nm cones. Dim, red background light causes adaptation of rods and a broadening of the spectral sensitivity function, which can be simulated by increasing the proportion of cones in the model. Brighter red backgrounds adapt the 560-nm cones. Because of the effect of red adapting lights, the ERG evidence for the participation of long-wavelength cones close to visual threshold appears to be different in Danio than in the goldfish Carassius.