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EVOLUTION AND FUNCTION OF ROUTINE TRICHROMATIC VISION IN PRIMATES
Author(s) -
Lucas Peter W.,
Dominy Nathaniel J.,
RibaHernandez Pablo,
Stoner Kathryn E.,
Yamashita Nayuta,
Calderön Esteban Lorí,
PetersenPereira Wanda,
RojasDurÁN Yahaira,
SalasPena Ruth,
SolisMadrigal Silvia,
Osorio Daniel,
Darvell Brian W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2003.tb01506.x
Subject(s) - trichromacy , biology , context (archaeology) , foraging , trait , range (aeronautics) , frugivore , zoology , preference , taxon , color vision , evolutionary biology , ecology , botany , habitat , artificial intelligence , paleontology , materials science , computer science , microeconomics , economics , composite material , programming language
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.