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SUMMARY:Seeing the world in a new light: Polychaete worms wriggle winding 
 evolutionary paths to vision - Michael Bok\; Lund University\, Sweden
DTSTART:20231128T160000Z
DTEND:20231128T170000Z
UID:TALK205615@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Nadine Randel
DESCRIPTION:Vision is a powerful sense\, and evolution has invented a mult
 itude of fascinating eye designs that allow animals to see their world. So
 me of the strangest examples of eyes can be found in polychaete worms\, an
 d they are a dynamic group in which to study the forces that shape the opt
 ical\, neurological\, and behavioral components of visual systems. Here\, 
 I will present two stories about the bizarre eyes of polychaetes: The bulb
 ous\, camera-type eyes of enigmatic pelagic alciopids\, and the multitudin
 ous\, distributed compound eyes of sedentary fanworms.\n\nAlciopids have d
 ramatically enlarged their eyes\, possibly affording them with high-resolu
 tion vision\, a feat only confirmed in chordates\, arthropods\, and cephal
 opods. However\, they have been difficult to collect reliably\, intact\, a
 nd in large numbers. Recently we identified an ideal field site for collec
 ting these worms\, and have been able to probe the acuity of their vision 
 using optical\, anatomical\, and electrophysiological techniques. We confi
 rm that they likely have high-resolution vision and propose exciting possi
 bilities for the function of their eyes.       \n\nFanworms are sedentary 
 aquatic polychaetes that reside within protective tubes anchored to the su
 bstrate. They extend a feathery crown of radiolar tentacles into the water
  column from their heads for feeding. Fanworms rely on sensory structures 
 on the radioles to detect threats and trigger a rapid retraction into thei
 r tubes. In many species these structures include dozens of unusual compou
 nd eyes\, which can be found in a great diversity of arrangements and soph
 istications. We used phylogenetics\, electron microscopy and micro-CT to t
 race the functional evolution of these eyes and discovered a complex tapes
 try of eye gain\, loss\, and elaboration. Furthermore\, we used behavioral
  experiments to test the visual capabilities of species with variable eye 
 designs\, and found that some fan worms are likely in a unique evolutionar
 y trajectory where something resembling image-forming vision may be emergi
 ng from their alarm response system. Taken together\, our findings highlig
 ht the astounding evolutionary creativity of sensory systems that can be l
 everaged to solve crucial ecological challenges.
LOCATION:Part II Lecture Theatre\, Department of Zoology
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