Effect of light adaptation on electrical responses of the retinas of four species of bats

Summary The levels of light adaptation at which the retinas of 4 species of microchiropteran bats became unable to generate electroretinograms were progressively ordered. The order correlated well with light preferences based on activity patterns of the 4 species. These results suggest that the ability of the retina to function in ambient light may govern some natural behaviors of these bats.This work was supported in part by grant No. EY 01228 from the U.S.P.H.S. and was facilitated by equipment provided by Bob Hope Fight for Sight Award No. G522 and a grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. Portions of this work were presented at the Fifth International Bat Research Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, August, 1978.