ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF COLOR ENCODING IN COMPOUND EYE OF CRAYFISH, PROCAMBARUS CLARKII

At least two types of retinular cells have been demonstrated by intracellular recordings in the compound eye of Procambarus. The predominant type in summer (90% of the penetrations) has its λmax at an extraordinarily long wavelength (> 600 nm) while the less common type (10% of the penetrations) has its λmax at 460 nm. In winter the predominant type of cell has its greatest sensitivity at 560 nm which is more in agreement with previous electroretinographic and spectrophotometric data for crayfish eyes. Both the red λmax of the predominant summer receptor and the seasonal shift of 40-60 nm towards shorter wavelengths are striking. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.