Skip to main content
Log in

Spectral discrimination in a rabbit

  • Published:
Documenta Ophthalmologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    The ability to discriminate lights on difference in spectral composition is investigated in a wild rabbit.

  2. 2.

    An automatically operated two-choice apparatus and operant conditioning is used for this purpose.

  3. 3.

    In the ‘blue part’ of the spectrum, with reference to λ = 496 nm, the just noticable difference in wavelength (Δ λ) probably is in between -30 and -35 nm. Possibly as a result of chromatic adaptation, Δ λ was larger in the ‘green part’ of the spectrum.

  4. 4.

    The ability to discriminate spectrally different lights points to the independence of the ‘blue sensitive’ system and the ‘green sensitive’ system in the rabbit's retina.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barlow, H. B. & W. R.Levick. Three factors limiting the reliable detection of light by retinal ganglion cells of the cat. J. Physiol. 200, 1–24 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumann, C. (1967). Das mikroskopische Bild der Receptorenaussenglieder im Frischpräparat der Kaninchennetzhaut bei farbiger Beleuchtung, v. Graefes Arch. Ophthal. 172, 125–129 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, P. K. & G.Wald. Visual pigments in single rods and cones of the human retina. Science 144, 45–52 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. H. Colour vision in the rabbit. J. gen. Psychol. 14, 83–95 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dartnall, H. J. A. In: The eye. pp. 323–533, ed. Davson, Academic Press, New York & London (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. The anatomy and histology of the eye and orbit of the rabbit. Trans. Am. opthal. Soc. 27, 401–441 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  • Denton, E. J. & J. H.Wyllie. Study of the phtosensitive pigments in the pink and green rods of the frog. J. Physiol. 127, 81–89 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodt, E. Generalized inhibition of the retinal ganglion cells in relation to wave-length and state of adaption. Acta physiol. scand. 36, 219–228 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • — & V.Elenius. Spektrale Sensitivität einzelner Elemente der Kaninchennetzhaut. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 262, 301–306 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • — & J. B.Walther. Photopic sensitivity mediated by visual purple. Experientia 14, 142–143 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, C. J. & P. M.Sheppard. Continuous and quantal theories of sensory discrimination. Proc. Roy. Soc. B. 158, 343–363 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Elenius, V. Recovery in the dark of the rabbit's electroretinogram. Acta physiol. scand. 44 suppl. 150, 5–57 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, S., J. C.Peskin & M.Patt. Intensity discrimination in the human eye. II. The relation between I/I and intensity for different parts of the spectrum. J. gen. Physiol. 22, 7–19 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinney, J. A. S. Sensitivity of the eye to spectral radiation at scotopic and mesopic intensity levels. J. opt. Soc. Am. 45, 507–514 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, R. Die Retina. Int. Mnschr. Anat. Physiol. 12, 46–186 (1895).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ksinsik, R. Adaptive Parameter der Blauverschiebung der Spektralsensitivität des Kaninchenauges, v. Graefes Arch. Ophthal. 172, 112–124 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashley, K. S. The mechanism of vision: I. A method for rapid analysis of pattern-vision in the rat. J. genet. Psychol. 37, 453–460 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, W. B., W. H.Dobelle & E. F.Mcnicholl. Visual pigments of single primate cones. Science 143, 1181–1183 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Menner, E. Untersuchungen über die Retina mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der ausseren Körnerschicht. Z. vergl. Physiol. 8, 761–826 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuboer, J. F. W. Colour vision in a rabbit. Acta physiol. pharmacol. néerl. 13, 484–485 (1966a).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Colour discrimination tests with rabbits. Acta physiol. pharmacol. néerl. 13, 485–486 (1966b).

    Google Scholar 

  • — Photometry in a wild rabbit. Acta physiol. pharmacol. néerl. 15, 61–62 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • — The efficacy of optokinetic stimuli of different field radiances as shown to a rabbit. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 315, 215–263 (1970a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuboer, J. F. W. Visual acuity measurements in a rabbit. Thesis, Utrecht (1971a).

  • — Photometry in rabbits. Symp. Vision in the Rabbit Doc. Ophthal. 30, 259–278 (1971b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjöstrand. F. S. & S. V. Nillson. In: The rabbit in eye research, pp. 449–513. Ed. C. Thomas Springfield, Illinois (1964).

  • Swets, J. A., W. P.Tanner & G. B.Birdsall. Decision processes in perception. Psychol. Rev. 68, 301–340 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Washburn, M. F. & E.Abbott. Experiments on the brightness value of red for the lightadapted eye of the rabbit. J. Anim. Behav. 2, 145–180 (1912).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. B. & M. I.Watson. A study of the responses of rodents to monochromatic light. J. Anim. Behav. 2, 1–14 (1913).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weale, R. A. Spectral sensitivity and wave-length discrimination of the peripheral retina. J. Physiol. 119, 170–190 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Additional information

Utrecht

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nuboer, J.F.W. Spectral discrimination in a rabbit. Doc Ophthalmol 30, 279–298 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142525

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142525

Keywords

Navigation