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Three cone opsin genes and cone cell arrangement in retina of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis

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Abstract

In bluefin tuna aquaculture, collision of juveniles with the tank or net walls is a major cause of high mortality. This problem may be related to color sensibility of the visual mechanisms of this species. As a first step in understanding of color vision of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis, we applied a molecular technique and histology to study cone cell distribution in the retina of juvenile fish. We isolated three cone opsin genes encoding one blue-sensitive (SWS2) and two green-sensitive (RH2) visual pigments. In situ hybridization revealed that SWS2 mRNA is localized in the single-cone photoreceptors. The localization of the two RH2 signals in distinct cone cells was not determined, probably because of the high homology between the two RH2 genes. Single-cone photoreceptors appeared frequently in the ventral-temporal retina in approximately 80-mm fish and in the temporal retina in approximately 230-mm fish. These cone distributions may define a visual field with best color contrast vision in front and above the fish with a short wavelength (blue) reflecting target (sensed by single cones), and may be enhanced against the longer wavelength (green) background when fish see a target below them (sensed by double cones).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Fish Physiology, Major in Life Sciences, Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, 514-8507, Tsu, Mie, Japan

    Taeko Miyazaki & Jun Kohbara

  2. Uragami Experimental Station, Fisheries Laboratory, Kinki University, 649-5145, Wakayama, Japan

    Kenji Takii & Hidemi Kumai

  3. Department of Fisheries, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kinki University, 631-8505, Nara, Japan

    Yasunori Ishibashi

Authors
  1. Taeko Miyazaki
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  2. Jun Kohbara
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  3. Kenji Takii
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  4. Yasunori Ishibashi
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  5. Hidemi Kumai
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Correspondence to Taeko Miyazaki.

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Miyazaki, T., Kohbara, J., Takii, K. et al. Three cone opsin genes and cone cell arrangement in retina of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis . Fish Sci 74, 314–321 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-2906.2008.01527.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-2906.2008.01527.x

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