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On the role of body size, brain size, and eye size in visual acuity.

ABSTRACT: Abstract:The visual system is highly variable across species, and such variability is a key factor influencing animal behavior. Variation in the visual system, for instance, can influence the outcome of learning tasks when visual stimuli are used. We illustrate this issue in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) artificially selected for large and small relative brain size with pronounced behavioral differences in learning experiments and mate choice tests. We performed a study of the visual system by quantifying eye size and optomotor response of large-brained and small-brained guppies. This represents the first experimental test of the link between brain size evolution and visual acuity. We found that female guppies have larger eyes than male guppies, both in absolute terms and in relation to their body size. Likewise, individuals selected for larger brains had slightly larger eyes but not better visual acuity than small-brained guppies. However, body size was positively associated with visual acuity. We discuss our findings in relation to previous macroevolutionary studies on the evolution of brain morphology, eye morphology, visual acuity, and ecological variables, while stressing the importance of accounting for sensory abilities in behavioral studies. Significance statement:Pre-existing perceptual biases can be keys for the development of specific behavioral patterns. Hence, potential differences in sensory systems need to be taken into account in the study of animal behavior. We highlight this necessity concentrating on the visual domain and using experimental data on brain size-selected guppies in which we assessed eye size and visual acuity. Behavioral differences between large-brained and small-brained guppies in learning and mate choice predominantly relied on tests using visual cues. Analyses of visual capabilities in this system are therefore necessary. Furthermore, this system offers the unprecedented opportunity to experimentally test the relationship between brain size, eye morphology, and visual capabilities. Our results show similar visual acuities between large-brained and small-brained guppies. However, the differences observed in eye area between the sexes, together with the observed positive relationship between body size and visual acuity, highlight the need to incorporate perceptive differences in the study of animal behavior.

SUBMITTER: Corral-Lopez A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5705735 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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On the role of body size, brain size, and eye size in visual acuity.

Corral-López Alberto A Garate-Olaizola Maddi M Buechel Severine D SD Kolm Niclas N Kotrschal Alexander A

Behavioral ecology and sociobiology 20171129 12

<h4>Abstract</h4>The visual system is highly variable across species, and such variability is a key factor influencing animal behavior. Variation in the visual system, for instance, can influence the outcome of learning tasks when visual stimuli are used. We illustrate this issue in guppies (<i>Poecilia reticulata</i>) artificially selected for large and small relative brain size with pronounced behavioral differences in learning experiments and mate choice tests. We performed a study of the vis ...[more]

PMID: 29213179

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Project description:To systemically explore the range of visual angles that affect visual acuity, and to establish the relationship between the P1 component (peak latency ~100 ms) of the pattern-reversal visual-evoked potential (PRVEP) and the visual acuity at particular visual angles.Two hundred and ten volunteers were divided into seven groups, according to visual acuity as assessed by the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart (SLD-ii). For each group, the PRVEP components were elicited in response to visual angle presentations at 8°, 4°, 2°, 1°/60', 30', 15', and 7.5', in the whiteblack chess-board reversal mode with a contrast level of 100% at a frequency of 2 Hz. Visual stimuli were presented monocularly, and 200 presentations were averaged for each block of trials. The early and stable component P1 was recorded at the mid-line of the occipital region (oz) and analyzed with SPSS 13.00.(1) oz had the maximum P1 amplitude; there was no significant difference between genders or for interocular comparison in normal controls and subjects with optic myopia. (2) The P1 latency decreased slowly below 30', then increased rapidly. The P1 amplitude initially increased with check size, and was maximal at ~1° and ~30'. (3) The P1 latency in the group with visual acuity ≤0.2 was significantly different at 8°, 15' and 7.5', while the amplitude differed at all visual angles, compared with the group with normal vision. Differences in P1 for the groups with 0.5 and 0.6 acuity were only present at visual angles <1°. (4) Regression analysis showed that the P1 latency and amplitude were associated with visual acuity over the full range of visual angles. There was a moderate correlation at visual angles <30'. Regression equations were calculated for the P1 components and visual acuity, based on visual angle.(1) Visual angle should be taken into consideration when exploring the function of the visual pathway, especially visual acuity. A visual angle ~60' might be appropriate when using PRVEP components to evaluate poor vision and to identify malingerers. (2) increased P1 amplitude and decreased P1 latency were associated with increasing visual acuity, and the P1 components displayed a linear correlation with visual acuity, especially in the range of optimal visual angles. Visual acuity can be deduced from P1 based on visual angle.

Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate risk factors associated with unilateral or bilateral decreased visual acuity (VA) in preschool children.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional prevalence study.ParticipantsPopulation-based samples of 6504 children ages 30 to 72 months from California and Maryland.MethodsParticipants were preschool African-American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white children from Los Angeles, California, and Baltimore, Maryland. Data were obtained by a parental interview and a detailed ocular examination. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the independent associations between demographic, behavioral, and clinical risk factors with unilateral and bilateral decreased VA.Main outcome measuresOdds ratios (ORs) for various risk factors associated with interocular difference (IOD) in VA of ?2 lines with ?20/32 in the worse eye, or bilateral decreased VA <20/40 or <20/50 if <48 months of age.ResultsIn multivariate logistic regression analysis, 2-line IOD with a VA of ?20/32 was independently associated with Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 2.05), esotropia (OR, 8.98), spherical equivalent (SE) anisometropia (ORs ranging between 1.5 and 39.7 for SE anisometropia ranging between 0.50 to <1.00 diopters [D] and ?2.00 D), and aniso-astigmatism in J0 or J45 (ORs ranging between 1.4 and ?5.3 for J0 or J45 differences ranging between 0.25 to <0.50 D and ?1.00 D). Bilateral decreased VA was independently associated with lack of health insurance (OR, 2.9), lower primary caregiver education (OR, 1.7), astigmatism (OR, 2.3 and 17.6 for astigmatism 1.00 to <2.00 D and ?2.00 D), and SE hyperopia ?4.00 D (OR, 10.8).ConclusionsAnisometropia and esotropia are risk factors for IOD in VA. Astigmatism and high hyperopia are risk factors for bilateral decreased VA. Guidelines for the screening and management of decreased VA in preschool children should be considered in light of these risk associations.Financial disclosure(s)The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

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On the role of body size, brain size, and eye size in visual acuity.

Publications

On the role of body size, brain size, and eye size in visual acuity.

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