Adaptive features of aquatic mammals' eye

@article{Mass2007AdaptiveFO,
  title={Adaptive features of aquatic mammals' eye},
  author={Alla M. Mass and Alexander Ya. Supin},
  journal={The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology},
  year={2007},
  volume={290}
}
  • A. M. Mass, A. Supin
  • Published 1 June 2007
  • Environmental Science
  • The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology
The eye of aquatic mammals demonstrates several adaptations to both underwater and aerial vision. This study offers a review of eye anatomy in four groups of aquatic animals: cetaceans (toothed and baleen whales), pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and sea otters. Eye anatomy and optics, retinal laminar morphology, and topography of ganglion cell distribution are discussed with particular reference to aquatic specializations for underwater versus… 
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97 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
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Methods Citations
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Results Citations
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97 Citations

Anatomical adaptations of aquatic mammals
TLDR
The articles in this issue are a blend of literature review and new, hypothesis‐driven anatomical research, which highlight the special nature of anatomical form and function in aquatic mammals that enables their exquisite adaptation for life in such a challenging environment.
Eye Optics in Semiaquatic Mammals for Aerial and Aquatic Vision
Based on anatomical measurements of refractive structures in the eye, the positions of focused images were computed for several groups of semiaquatic mammals: rodents, a nonpinniped semiaquatic…
Adaptations for amphibious vision in sea otters (Enhydra lutris): structural and functional observations
TLDR
The results suggest that sea otters have retained features for low-light vision but rapid adjustments and acute underwater vision may be constrained across varying light levels by a combination of pupil shape, absolute eye size, and the presumed coupling between anterior lens curvature and pupil size during accommodation.
Morphology of the eyeball from the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
TLDR
The Humpback whale eyeball is similar to other cetaceans and suggests an adaptation to diving and migration, contributing to the perception of differences in temperature, pressure, and lighting.
Eye Histology and Ganglion Cell Topography of Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris)
TLDR
Anatomical and histological traits of the eye that may improve light sensitivity in northern elephant seals are described, consistent with the predicted evolutionary adaptations to the photic environment of the bathypelagic zone.
Morphology of the Eye of the Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis)
TLDR
The aim of this study was to describe the eye anatomy of the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), and it was found that the eyes of the calves differed from those of the adults in having less periorbital fat surrounding the eyeball.
The eyes of the deep diving hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) enhance sensitivity to ultraviolet light
TLDR
It is shown that the pelagic hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) has a highly UV permissive cornea and lens, and is likely to be more UV sensitive than the results imply.
Sensory biology of aquatic mammals
TLDR
This special issue on the ‘‘Sensory biology of aquatic mammals’’ presents reviews and original studies on most major taxa that have been studied so far, and covers the pinnipeds, the cetaceans and the sirenians (dugong and manatees).
Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)
TLDR
The ocular globe of sand rat demonstrates a high degree of development and several specific features associated with adaptation to life style and arid environment.
A comparative analysis of cone photoreceptor morphology in bowhead and beluga whales
TLDR
Two proteins involved in magnetosensation were present in these cone structures suggesting the possibility for an alternative functional role in responding to changes in geomagnetic fields, and provide prefatory evidence of potential functional reassignment of these cells.
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References

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TLDR
The present review summarizes available data on the various aquatic mammalian taxa, assesses the reliability of these data, and discusses the potential adaptive pressures involved in blue cone loss.
Refractive state, ocular anatomy, and accommodative range of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
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TLDR
The results indicate that in completely aquatic mammals the ciliary muscle is rudimentary, and in fact, appears to be lacking in one species (beluga whale), while the c auxiliary muscle seems to be better developed in the amphibious pinnipeds (California sea lion, elephant seal, and walrus).
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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TLDR
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THE OCULAR FUNDUS OF TWO CETACEANS
TLDR
The 12 Tursiops eyes were consistent for vascular structure, optic papillae, dimensional components and tapetal coloration and there was a difference between species in the short wavelength regions of the spectrum.
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