Mantis Shrimp Vision Decoded by University Researchers

Study reveals proteins and pigments that enable sight in far-red light wavelengths beyond 600 nanometers.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Life Sciences

Mantis Shrimp Vision Decoded by University Researchers

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Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa identified the proteins and pigments that allow mantis shrimp to perceive far-red light. The findings, published in October 2026, reveal how these marine animals utilize unique biological filters to see light wavelengths beyond 600 nanometers.

Why it matters

Unlocking the mechanism of mantis shrimp vision offers a roadmap for developing synthetic sensors capable of detecting light across broader spectrums. This research highlights how specialized protein evolution enables extreme visual range compared to human biological limits.

The study analyzed 17 distinct rhodopsin proteins, with three specific variants capable of absorbing wavelengths exceeding 600 nanometers. These proteins function alongside carotenoid pigments to effectively tune the shrimp's visual response.

The players

Megan Porter

The lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa focusing on visual systems.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

A research institution in Hawaii known for its work in marine biology and sensory ecology.

The details

Mantis shrimp utilize rhodopsin proteins—specialized light-sensitive receptors—to convert photons into nervous system signals. The study found that carotenoids, natural organic pigments, act as specific filters that shift the sensitivity of these proteins to perceive far-red light. This mechanism functions optimally only under bright lighting conditions, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation rather than a low-light visual strategy.

October 2026: Study published in Science Advances.

The Tech Race

While human vision is limited to three color-sensitive channels, the mantis shrimp uses a significantly more complex array of 12 distinct receptors. This study establishes a new biological benchmark for multi-spectral imaging that could inform future synthetic sensor design.

This research is currently foundational, meaning it does not immediately affect consumer technology or medical diagnostic tools. Instead, it serves as a long-term reference for materials scientists and engineers working on high-sensitivity optical filters.

The takeaway

The discovery illustrates that mantis shrimp achieve far-red vision through a sophisticated combination of protein sensitivity and carotenoid filtering. Interested readers should follow future updates from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa regarding synthetic applications of these light-filtering proteins.