THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHOTORECEPTORS IN THE ZEBRAFISH, BRACHYDANIO-RERIO .2. FUNCTION

The functional development of rod and cone photoreceptors in the zebrafish (B. rerio) was studied by electroretinographically measuring flicker fusion frequencies. Two to 3 days after fertilization, fish gave little or no response to high intensity stimuli. Increases in sensitivity and flicker resolution were observed after this time. Biphasic response curves typical of adults could be elicited from fish as young as 2 wk postfertilization, thus indicating a functional divergence of rods and cones. The results are consistent with behavioral and anatomical analyses of zebrafish photoreceptor development.