Spectral and intensity sensitivity of insect light-dependent magnetoreception.
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| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | It has been shown on various animal taxa that magnetic compass behavior depends on presence and wavelength of light. Crucial role of short wavelength half of spectrum in magnetoreception is consistent with process of constitution of radical pairs consisting of cofactor flavin (FAD) and protein Cryptochrome (Cry). The investigation of light wavelength and intensity thresholds for magnetic sensing in vivo gives important data underpinning experimental identification of radical partners. To date, only fruitfly and birds wavelength limits were reported (<420 nm and <565 nm respectively) yet generally without mapping of color-specific intensity thresholds throughout the spectrum. Here, we tested spontaneous reaction to rotations of geomagnetic horizontal vector - magnetically induced restlessness of German cockroach (Blattella germanica ) under 365, 385, 405, 466 and 520 nm lights and defined respective light intensity thresholds. Two maxima of sensitivity have been found at 365 nm UV and 466 nm blue-green lights. However, even the highest intensities of green 520 nm light used (10e19 photons s-1m-2) did not support magnetosensitive behavioral reaction. Our data show spectral curve of behavioral reaction to geomagnetic field which seem to be well compatible with Cry light absorption spectrum. Since both Cry1 and Cry2 have been cloned from Blattella and molecular approaches are applicable (e.g. gene silencing) our assay may well be used to decipher open questions of Cry mediated light-dependent magnetoreception mechanism of animals. |
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