Work

C. elegans discriminate colors without eyes or opsins

Year: 2016

Type: preprint

Abstract: Here we establish that, contrary to expectations, Caenorhabditis elegans nematode worms possess a color discrimination system despite lacking any opsin or other known visible light photoreceptor genes. We found that white light guides C. elegans foraging decisions away from harmful bacteria that secrete a blue pigment toxin. Absorption of amber light by this blue pigment toxin alters the color of light sensed by the worm, and thereby triggers an increase in avoidance. By combining narrow-band blue and amber light sources, we demonstrated that detection of the specific blue:amber ratio by the worm guides its foraging decision. These behavioral and psychophysical studies thus establish the existence of a color detection system that is distinct from those of other animals.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.1101/092072

Authors: D. Dipon Ghosh, Xin Jin, Michael Nitabach

Institutions: Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Yale University, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Awards: Peptide Modulation of Physiology and Behavior, Transgenic Tethered Peptides, Calcium Signaling in Circadian Clock Neurons, G6313806743, Synaptic Microcircuits Underlying Associative Learning