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Evolution and Function of Routine Trichromatic Vision in Primates

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Evolution of the red-green visual subsystem in trichromatic primates has been linked to foraging advantages, namely the detection of either ripe fruits or young leaves amid mature foliage. We tested competing hypotheses globally for eight primate taxa: five with routine trichromatic vision, three without. Routinely trichromatic species ingested leaves that were "red shifted" compared to background foliage more frequently than species lacking this trait. Observed choices were not the reddest possible, suggesting a preference for optimal nutritive gain. There were no similar differences for fruits although red-greenness may sometimes be important in close-range fruit selection. These results suggest that routine trichromacy evolved in a context in which leaf consumption was critical.

Source: Evolution

DOI: 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2003.tb01506.x

Authors: Peter W. Lucas, Nathaniel J. Dominy, Pablo Riba-Hernandez, Kathryn E. Stoner, Nayuta Yamashita, Esteban Lorí- Calderön, Wanda Petersen-Pereira, Yahaira Rojas-DurÁN, Ruth Salas-Pena, Silvia Solis-Madrigal, Daniel Osorio, Brian W. Darvell

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, University of Chicago, Universidad de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, University of Southern California, University of Sussex

Language: English

Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2178192668

FWCI: 11.57

Cites: 69

Cited by: 149

Related to: 10