Worms and Light explores the fascinating world of non-visual photoreception in nematodes, or roundworms, revealing how these simple organisms detect light without eyes. This capability influences their behavior, survival, and evolutionary adaptation. Nematodes use photosensitivity to avoid harmful light, locate food, and synchronize with daily or seasonal light cycles. Consider that Darwin's work on earthworm behavior laid a foundation for understanding how organisms respond to stimuli.
The book highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of light detection, the ecological roles of photosensitivity, and its evolutionary origins. By integrating molecular, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives, Worms and Light offers a unique understanding of sensory systems.
The book progresses from key concepts and molecular components to ecological contexts and evolutionary history, supported by genetic, molecular, behavioral, and ecological studies.
