Summary
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1.
Groups of octopuses were trained to discriminate between different directions of the electric vector of plane polarized light coming from a small underwater torch.
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2.
Clear discrimination was shown between vertical and horizontal, and between 45° and 135° oblique directions of the electric vector.
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3.
The possible ways in which the animal might base its discrimination on the perception of scattering or reflection patterns in its environment are examined, and it is concluded that they do not provide a satisfactory explanation.
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4.
The discriminations probably involve specialised retinal photoreceptors, so some electron microscopical findings are presented concerning the structure of the receptor layer of the retina. The tubules of the two rhabdomeres on opposite sides of any one retinula cell are often approximately parallel, but those attached to different retinula cells can have quite different directions.
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5.
Theoretical reasons are given for supposing that the rhabdomere tubules show dichroism (though this might be difficult to observe); polarized light should be absorbed preferentially when its electric vector lies parallel to the long axis of a tubule. If the rhabdomeres do indeed show this dichroism, most of the receptor units of the octopus retina should give different responses for different directions of the electric vector of polarized light.
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6.
This hypothesis is shown to be consistent with both the observed discriminations and the fine structure of the receptor layer of the retina.
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7.
The connection between these results and the square “grid” organisation of the receptor layer of the retina is discussed.
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We wish to express our appreciation to Professor J. Z. Young and Dr. J. D. Robertson for their constant support and helpful advice. The research has been sponsored in part by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research. We are also greatly indebted to the Nuffield Foundation for continual support and to Dr. P. Dohrn and the staff of the Zoological Station at Naples for their help.
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Moody, M.F., Parriss, J.R. The discrimination of polarized light by Octopus: a behavioural and morphological study. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 44, 268–291 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298356
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298356