Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Frank, Tamara M.
Abstract
Species that are ontogenetic migrators have early life stages (juveniles) that live shallower in the water column than the adults and therefore experience a brighter environment than the adults. This work provides evidence that juveniles and adults of the ontogenetically migrating crustacean species Gnathophausia ingens, Oplophorus gracilirostris, and Systellaspis debilis have evolved visual adaptations to their respective environments. The juveniles use apposition optics that provide greater resolution, whereas the adults use superposition optics that maximize sensitivity. These animals also have regional specializations to aid in viewing a light field that is brighter above than below, such as accessory screening pigments located dorsally and superposition type optics ventrally. The non-ontogenetic migrators Notostomus elegans and Notostomus gibbosus possess superposition optics as both juveniles and adults, implying that the changes seen in ontogenetic migrators are indeed visual adaptations.
Extent
63 p.
Recommended Citation
Whitehill, Elizabeth A G, "Visual Adaptations of Ontogenetically Migrating Deep-Sea Crustaceans" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009. 1389.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_5/1389
Identifier
FA00000854
Comments
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.