Pitvipers detect infrared radiation by means of temperature contrasts created on their pit organ membranes. Signals from pit organs integrate with visual signals in the optic tectum, leading to the conjecture that the facial pits operate as an extension of the visual system. Because similar mechanisms underlie thermal imaging technology, imagery from thermal cameras is often used to infer how pitvipers perceive their environment. However, pit organs lack a focusing mechanism, and biophysical models predict that pit organs should have poor spatial resolution compared to thermal imaging cameras. Nevertheless, behavioral studies occasionally suggest pits may have better resolution than predicted by biophysical models, indicating that processing in the central nervous system may improve imaging. To estimate the spatial resolution of the neural image informing behavior, we recorded snake responses evoked by targets moving across backgrounds composed of two contrasting temperatures with an average temperature equal to the target temperature. An unresolved background would appear uniform; thus, the target would be detectable only if the background pattern were resolved. Western Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) displayed no statistically significant responses to targets presented in front of patterned backgrounds, regardless of the temperature contrasts or spatial frequencies within the background, but responded strongly to targets presented in front of homogenous backgrounds. We found no evidence the pit organ system can resolve spatial details subtending an angle of 9 degrees or less. We discuss the implications of these results for understanding pit organ function in ecologically relevant habitats with thermal heterogeneity.
Pitviper thermography: evoked behavioral assays indicate the pit organ used by crotaline snakes to detect thermal contrast has poor spatial resolution
These authors contributed equally to the work
2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize shortlist and winner
The JEB Editors are delighted to announce the shortlisted authors for the 2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize. Read the winning paper - Tiny spies: mosquito antennae are sensitive sensors for eavesdropping on frog calls - by Hoover Pantoja-Sanchez and Brian Leavell from Ximena Bernal's lab at Purdue University, USA.
JEB Science Communication Workshop for ECRs
If you’re an early-career researcher interested in science communication and are attending the SEB Annual Conference in Prague this summer, come a day early and join the JEB Editors at a sci comm workshop to learn the key writing skills needed to promote your research to a broad audience beyond your peers (1 July at 14.30-17.30). Places are limited to 24 attendees, and applicants should apply through the SEB registration page by 30 April 2024.
Bridging the gap between controlled conditions and natural habitats in understanding behaviour
Novel technologies enable behavioural experiments with non-model species, in naturalistic habitats and with underexplored behaviours. In their Commentary, Scholz and colleagues discuss how to obtain a deeper understanding of the natural ecology and lifestyle of study animals.
Beluga metabolic measures could help save species
To help save animals from extinction, it’s important to understand what each species needs to survive. This led Jason John et al. to measure the metabolic rates of captive belugas to develop a ‘fish calculator’ showing that the whales need to eat ~23 salmon per day.
ECR Workshop on Positive Peer Review
Are you an ECR looking for tips on how to write concise, astute and useful manuscript reviews? If so, join the JEB Editors at a 2-hour JEB-sponsored Workshop on Positive Peer Review at the Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting in Moncton on 9 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00. There are 25 spaces for ECRs and selection is first come, first serve. To sign up, check the ECR Workshop box when you register for the CSZ meeting.
Social media
