Spectral dependence of insect magnetoreception

KVÍČALOVÁ, Markéta, Pavel SLABÝ, Přemysl BARTOŠ, Radek NETUŠIL, How-Jing LEE, Olga BAZALOVÁ, David DOLEŽEL and Martin VÁCHA. Spectral dependence of insect magnetoreception. In 16th International Congress on Photobiology, Cordoba, Argentina. 2014.

Basic information

• Original name: Spectral dependence of insect magnetoreception
• Name in Czech: Spektrální závislost magnetorecepce u hmyzu
• Authors: KVÍČALOVÁ, Markéta (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Pavel SLABÝ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Přemysl BARTOŠ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Radek NETUŠIL (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), How-Jing LEE (840 United States of America), Olga BAZALOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), David DOLEŽEL (203 Czech Republic) and Martin VÁCHA (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: 16th International Congress on Photobiology, Cordoba, Argentina, 2014.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Conference abstract
• Field of Study: 30105 Physiology
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/14:00073946
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Keywords (in Czech): magnetorecepce; hmyz; chování; kryptochrom; šváb; vlnová délka
• Keywords in English: magnetoreception; insect; behaviour; cryptochrome; cocroach; wavelength; insects behaviour
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

It has been shown on various animal taxa that magnetic compass behavior depends on presence and wavelength of light [reviewed in 1,2]. Crucial role of short wavelength half of spectrum in magnetoreception is consistent with process of constitution of radical pairs consisting of cofactor flavin (FAD) and protein Cryptochrome (Cry). The investigation of light wavelength and intensity thresholds for magnetic sensing in vivo gives important data underpinning experimental identification of radical partners. To date, only fruitfly and birds wavelength limits were reported (<420 nm [2] and <565 nm [reviewed in 3] respectively) yet generally without mapping of color-specific intensity thresholds throughout the spectrum. Here, we tested spontaneous reaction to rotations of geomagnetic horizontal vector - magnetically induced restlessness of German cockroach (Blattella germanica ) under 365, 385, 405, 466 and 520 nm lights and defined respective light intensity thresholds of magnetosensitive behavior. Two maxima of sensitivity have been found at 365 nm UV and around 450 nm blue-green lights. However, even the highest intensities of green 520 nm light used (1019 photons s-1m-2) did not support magnetosensitive behavioral reaction (fig.1). Our data show spectral curve of behavioral reaction to geomagnetic field stimulation which seem to be well compatible with Cry light absorption spectra [4]. Since both Cry1 and Cry2 have been cloned from Blattella and molecular approaches are applicable (e.g. gene silencing) our assay may well be used to address open questions of Cry mediated light-dependent magnetoreception mechanism of animals.

Abstract (in Czech)

It has been shown on various animal taxa that magnetic compass behavior depends on presence and wavelength of light [reviewed in 1,2]. Crucial role of short wavelength half of spectrum in magnetoreception is consistent with process of constitution of radical pairs consisting of cofactor flavin (FAD) and protein Cryptochrome (Cry). The investigation of light wavelength and intensity thresholds for magnetic sensing in vivo gives important data underpinning experimental identification of radical partners. To date, only fruitfly and birds wavelength limits were reported (<420 nm [2] and <565 nm [reviewed in 3] respectively) yet generally without mapping of color-specific intensity thresholds throughout the spectrum. Here, we tested spontaneous reaction to rotations of geomagnetic horizontal vector - magnetically induced restlessness of German cockroach (Blattella germanica ) under 365, 385, 405, 466 and 520 nm lights and defined respective light intensity thresholds of magnetosensitive behavior. Two maxima of sensitivity have been found at 365 nm UV and around 450 nm blue-green lights. However, even the highest intensities of green 520 nm light used (1019 photons s-1m-2) did not support magnetosensitive behavioral reaction (fig.1). Our data show spectral curve of behavioral reaction to geomagnetic field stimulation which seem to be well compatible with Cry light absorption spectra [4]. Since both Cry1 and Cry2 have been cloned from Blattella and molecular approaches are applicable (e.g. gene silencing) our assay may well be used to address open questions of Cry mediated light-dependent magnetoreception mechanism of animals.

Links

• EE2.4.31.0155, research and development project: Name: Partnerství a sítě pro spolupráci v experimentální biologii
• GC13-11908J, research and development project: Name: Fyziologická a funkčně genetická analýza magnetorecepce na hmyzím modelu. (Acronym: Magnet)

Investor: Czech Science Foundation