Eye model to account for comparable aerial and underwater acuities of the bottlenose dolphin
Rivamonte, L.A. (1976). Eye model to account for comparable aerial and underwater acuities of the bottlenose dolphin. Neth. J. Sea Res. 10(4): 491-498
In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406, more
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| Abstract |
The results of several behavioural and physiological studies were integrated in order to formulate a schematic eye model for the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. No evidence of a mechanism for active accomodation has been found in the dolphin which could compensate for water-air transitions or viewing distance. It is proposed that a lens over-corrected for spherical aberration could provide for comparable aerial and underwater acuities. Oblique and axial viewing directions would be used in air and water respectively to produce relatively sharp images on the retina. From the behavioural acuity data, this passive optical system would appear to focus at about one metre in water and at infinity in air. |
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