Twilight Fish Study Uncovers Unique Hybrid Eye Cells | Mirage News
Researchers have identified a new type of visual cell in deep-sea fish larvae that challenges a century of knowledge about vertebrate visual systems.
Dr Fabio Cortesi from The University of Queensland's School of the Environment said the finding could lead to new camera technology and medical treatments.
"For more than 150 years, textbooks have taught that vision in most vertebrates is made of cones and rods – cones which work in bright light and rods for dark situations," Dr Cortesi said.
"But our study of deep-sea fish larvae revealed a new cell type – a photoreceptor that optimises vision in gloomy or twilight conditions.
"It combines the molecular machinery and genes of cones with the shape and form of rods.
"This hybrid cell has the best bits of both the bright light and dark light systems...
