Trichromatic color vision in primates

News Physiol Sci. 2002 Jun:17:93-8. doi: 10.1152/nips.01376.2001.

Abstract

Trichromatic color vision is rare among mammals, occurring only in some primates. Recent work has elucidated the adaptive behavioral significance of trichromacy as well as its underlying genetic and neurophysiological mechanisms. These studies reveal a complex neural system whose design and operation apparently does not conform to rigid deterministic principles.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Color Perception / physiology*
  • Primates / physiology*