Table 1 Ethogram' of zebrafish related to vision
From: Focusing on optic tectum circuitry through the lens of genetics
Behavior | Description | Tectum involved? | Selected references |
|---|---|---|---|
Visual startle | Sudden fast start following sudden changes in ambient light levels | Unknown | |
Photomotor response | Muscle contractions in response to very bright light | No | [65] |
Visual background adaptation | Neuro-endocrine response of melanophore pigment cells to ambient light levels; melanin granules aggregate in bright light | No; probably AF1 | |
Circadian photoentrainment | Responses in physiology and behavior to the natural light-dark cycle | No; probably AF1 | |
Phototaxis | Swimming and turning toward a light source | Yes | |
Scototaxis | Preference for a dark compartment | Unknown | [73] |
Dorsal light response | Tilting of the body axis toward a light source | No | [74] |
Optokinetic response | Slow eye movements following the motion of a large stimulus; punctuated by saccades | No; possibly AF9 | |
Optomotor response | Turning and swimming in the direction of a large moving stimulus | No | |
Visually mediated dispersal | Keeping a minimum distance to other fish larvae | Unknown | AB Arrenberg and HB, unpublished work |
Visual obstacle avoidance | Fast start to prevent collision with approaching object | Yes | [80] |
Visual escape response | Escape turn away from any large moving object | Yes | [81] |
Prey capture | Complex behavior involving J turns, slow tracking swims and fast capture swims in pursuit of small prey | Yes | |
Predator avoidance | Complex escape behavior; probably requires predator recognition | Yes | |
Shoaling | Grouping with conspecifics; shown by juvenile and adult fish | Unknown | |
Visual mate choice | Preference of particular shapes as reproductive stimuli by adult fish | Unknown | [92] |