Science

Red-sensitive pigments in mantis shrimp eyes act as reversible light switches

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Briefings

Researchers from ULiège and Humboldt University in Berlin analyzed mantis shrimp visual pigments for the first time, identifying red-light detection capabilities in some species. This discovery, published in Science Advances, suggests these pigments function as reversible light switches, potentially enabling optogenetic applications. The study contrasts with human vision, which relies on only three pigments, highlighting the complexity of the mantis shrimp's 30-pigment system.

Key points

• Mantis shrimp possess approximately 30 visual pigments, significantly more than the three pigments found in human vision.
• Some mantis shrimp species detect red light, a capability not observed in other animals.

Context

This research provides critical insights into the evolution of visual systems, as the mantis shrimp's unique pigment composition offers a model for understanding complex photoreception mechanisms.

Limitations

The study is limited to a single published article from Science Advances. Specific pigment names, individual animal species, and precise dates of pigment discovery are not provided in the evidence.

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