The spectral transmission of the lens and cornea of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) and goldfish (Carassius auratus)--effect of age and implications for ultraviolet vision

Abstract

This study reports spectral transmission curves (250-700 nm) for the lenses and corneas of two teleost species known to be u.v. sensitive; brown trout (Salmo trutta) aged 0-3 yr, and goldfish (Carassius auratus) aged 0-4 yr. In both cases there is a decrease in lenticular short-wave transmission with increased age which cannot be explained by an increase in lens size alone. Corneas of goldfish go through a similar ageing process while those of the trout do not. An orange pigmentation located in the dorsal cornea of goldfish is also described.