The Shrimpfish Eye: Focal Length and Feeding
Mentor 1
Dr. Thomas Consi
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
29-4-2016 1:30 PM
End Date
29-4-2016 3:30 PM
Description
The shrimpfish, Aeoliscus strigatus, is a tropical marine fish with a very non-standard shape and incredible maneuverability. To feed, the fish tracks tiny prey (copepods) in the water and sucks individual prey into its long tubular mouth in a short, sudden strike. The significance of visual cues in the success of such a rapid and precise strike is being studied. It has been observed that intensity of light is significant in the accuracy of the strike, but the optical system of whether or not the prey is in focus during the strike is still unknown. The focal length a dissected shrimpfish lens will be measured using optical ray tracing with a laser source and a diffraction grating and lens system to simulate various object distances. The lens is the most important optical component in the fish eye system as the aquatic environment has similar index of refraction as the cornea and internal fluids, so the optical power of the cornea is less significant than that of the lens. This optical study aims to determine if the lens can image on object at eye to mouth distance onto the retina, this in turn helps determine how much of the strike is visually guided.
The Shrimpfish Eye: Focal Length and Feeding
Union Wisconsin Room
The shrimpfish, Aeoliscus strigatus, is a tropical marine fish with a very non-standard shape and incredible maneuverability. To feed, the fish tracks tiny prey (copepods) in the water and sucks individual prey into its long tubular mouth in a short, sudden strike. The significance of visual cues in the success of such a rapid and precise strike is being studied. It has been observed that intensity of light is significant in the accuracy of the strike, but the optical system of whether or not the prey is in focus during the strike is still unknown. The focal length a dissected shrimpfish lens will be measured using optical ray tracing with a laser source and a diffraction grating and lens system to simulate various object distances. The lens is the most important optical component in the fish eye system as the aquatic environment has similar index of refraction as the cornea and internal fluids, so the optical power of the cornea is less significant than that of the lens. This optical study aims to determine if the lens can image on object at eye to mouth distance onto the retina, this in turn helps determine how much of the strike is visually guided.
