Research Cansus (Myospalax Cansus) UV Vision

The retinas of all vertebrates contain rods and cones, achieving the functions by opsins inside of the cells. The genes which encode the opsins could be separated into five families:Rhl(rhodopsin), encoding the pigments of rods, LWS/MWS(long/middle wavelength sensitive type), Rh2(Rhl-like), SWS1(short wavelength sensitive type1) and SWS2(short wavelength sensitive type2), the four families above with a function of encoding the pigments of cones. Because of the high level conservation of LWS/MWS genes, these two types of genes are always put together as a family of LWS gene.The SWS1opsin has been placed in two groups according to the spectral location of peak sensitivity:ultraviolet (UV), short wavelength (S), while the LWS opsin is placed in two groups:middle wavelength (M), long wavelength (L).Now, it becomes clear that some marsupials are trichromatic and that the monotremes have retained a different subset of the vertebrate opsin classes. Some primates are polymorphic for the M and L pigments, or they have both types. Some species also feature non-functional SWS1cone opsin genes. All marine mammals and a number of nocturnal mammals retain only a functional LWS opsin gene and are cone monochromats.A lot of species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals use UV vision for some basic activities,such as foraging and mating choice. One suggestion is that under lighting conditions, rodents may use signals from the UV cones to detect the presence of fresh urinary markings, which feature a high level of UV reflectivity. Circumstantial evidence greatly suggests that the S visual pigment in T. europaea has a maximal sensitivity in UV. Sequence comparison of vertebrate S opsins and site directed mutation have firmly established the role of site86in changing S pigment spectral sensitivity. Only the S pigments which have a UV sensitivity have Phe86while non-UV S pigments are occupied by different amino acid.In this paper, we are trying to make it clear that if the Gansu zokor(Myospalax cansus) has got the UV vision with it. Three kinds of methods, belong to behavioral research, cellular research and molecular research areas, were used to provide evidence of the UV vision of the Gansu zokor. Conclusions which I have got are listed bellow: 1. The result of cellular research shows that the coexpression of two tipes of cone pigments, SWSl and LWSopsin, exists widely in the retinas of Gansu zokor. According to the study, there are more than90percent of all the cones presenting coexpression of two tipes of cone pigments.2. In molecular research, the result of gene sequencing suggests that the amino acid sequence of SWS1opsin. The site86is occupied by Phe, the same as the forecast of this experiment. Thus, according to previous researches, the SWS1opsin in the retina of Gansu zokor has got a sensitivity of ultraviolet rays.3. The behavioral research reveals that ultraviolet rays shows obvious effect on behavior pattern of Gansu zokor. The duration of sleeping and resting(R), which occupies most of the life time of Gansu zokor, decreases distinctly with exposure in ultraviolet rays. At the same time, the length of time costed in un-foraging activities increases. These activities are all linked to the territory behaviors.Generally speaking, there is UV-sensitive SWS1opsin exists in the retina of Gansu zokor, while the rat has a great capacity of dealing with the weak ultraviolet rays. Behavioral research proves that the behavior patterns are obviously changed when Gansu zokor are exposed in the ultraviolet rays. All the evidence suggests that Gansu zokor are able to deal with ultraviolet rays, and the rays will greatly change the behavior pattern of Gansu zokor. This characteristic must have a great significance in the rat’s life time, but still need far more research in this area.