Planarian Phototactic Assay Reveals Differential Behavioral Responses Based on Wavelength

Planarians are free-living aquatic flatworms that possess a well-documented photophobic response to light. With a true central nervous system and simple cerebral eyes (ocelli), planarians are an emerging model for regenerative eye research. However, comparatively little is known about the physiology...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2014-12, Vol.9 (12), p.e114708-e114708
Main Authors: Paskin, Taylor R, Jellies, John, Bacher, Jessica, Beane, Wendy S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biology and Life Sciences
Central nervous system
Eye - radiation effects
Flatworms
Infrared Rays
Light effects
Light sources
Ocelli
Ocular Physiological Phenomena
Photic Stimulation - methods
Photoreception
Phototaxis
Planarians - physiology
Planarians - radiation effects
Ultraviolet Rays
Wavelength
Wavelengths
White light
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Summary:Planarians are free-living aquatic flatworms that possess a well-documented photophobic response to light. With a true central nervous system and simple cerebral eyes (ocelli), planarians are an emerging model for regenerative eye research. However, comparatively little is known about the physiology of their photoreception or how their behavior is affected by various wavelengths. Most phototactic studies have examined planarian behavior using white light. Here, we describe a novel planarian behavioral assay to test responses to small ranges of visible wavelengths (red, blue, green), as well as ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) which have not previously been examined. Our data show that planarians display behavioral responses across a range of wavelengths. These responses occur in a hierarchy, with the shortest wavelengths (UV) causing the most intense photophobic responses while longer wavelengths produce no effect (red) or an apparent attraction (IR). In addition, our data reveals that planarian photophobia is comprised of both a general photophobic response (that drives planarians to escape the light source regardless of wavelength) and wavelength-specific responses that encompass specific behavioral reactions to individual wavelengths. Our results serve to improve the understanding of planarian phototaxis and suggest that behavioral studies performed with white light mask a complex behavioral interaction with the environment.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0114708