Dissertational Improvement: Polarization Sensitivity in Ophiuroids: The Structure and Ecological Function of a Diffuse Photic System

论文改进：蛇尾类的偏振敏感性：漫射光系统的结构和生态功能

• 批准号: 9411834
• 负责人: William Kier
• 金额: $ 0.82万
• 依托单位: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1994
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1994-07-15 至 1996-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9411834&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertational; Improvement; Polarization; Sensitivity; Ophiuroids

9411834 Kier The brittle star sensory system is paradoxical in that it combines high reactivity, quick movements, and occasional predatory behavior with a total lack of a discrete sense organ. In addition brittle stars can discriminate between polarized and unpolarized light and this perception could be based on differential light transmission through a polarizing skeleton. This study will provide crucial information on (1) the nature and capabilities of diffuse sensory systems and (2) a possibly novel mechanism of polarization sensitivity. Experiments will determine whether and how the novel optical property of the endoskeleton of the brittle star is used by the animal. This proposal outlines the first opportunity to study the function of a biological polarizing filter. ***

9411834基尔脆弱的恒星感官系统是矛盾的，因为它结合了高反应性、快速移动和偶尔的捕食行为，完全缺乏离散的感官器官。此外，脆性恒星可以区分偏振光和非偏振光，这种感知可能是基于通过偏振骨架的不同光传输。这项研究将提供关于(1)弥散感觉系统的性质和能力以及(2)可能的偏振敏感性的新机制的关键信息。实验将确定这颗脆星内骨骼的新颖光学特性是否以及如何被动物使用。这项提案概述了研究生物极化过滤器功能的第一次机会。***