Psychophysical Test for Bimodal Integration of Electroreception and Photoreception in the Catfish Ictalurus Nebulosus LeS

Authors: Lorteije, J.A.M.; Bretschneider, F.; Klaver, I.; Peters, R.C.

Source: Netherlands Journal of Zoology, Volume 50, Number 3, 2000 , pp. 389-400(12)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Bimodal integration was tested for the catfish Ictalurus nebulosus in a psychophysical experiment. The modalities tested were an electric direct current field and a light spot. In a two-alternative-forced-choice experiment the photopic photoreception threshold was 0.5 lux and the electroreception threshold 5.5 μV/cm. Bimodal thresholds were 0.2 lux and 4.5 μV/cm. For both electroreception and photoreception the difference between unimodal and bimodal threshold data were significant. This indicates that the catfish can integrate information from electroreception and photoreception. Attempts to determine tresholds under scotopic conditions succeeded for photoreception but not for electroreception. The scotopic photoreception threshold was 2.5 x 10^-2 lux. Scotopic photoreception thresholds were significantly lower than photopic photoreception thresholds. No scotopic bimodal tests were performed.

Keywords: Bimodal integration; electroreception; photoreception; scotopic; photopic; catfish; lctalurus nebulosus

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156854200X00360

Publication date: 2000-01-01

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