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Limits of colour vision in dim light
Author(s) -
Kelber Almut,
Lind Olle
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2010.00721.x
Subject(s) - achromatic lens , nocturnal , color vision , optics , spectral sensitivity , physics , colour vision , artificial intelligence , computer vision , biology , computer science , astronomy , wavelength
Humans and most vertebrates have duplex retinae with multiple cone types for colour vision in bright light, and one single rod type for achromatic vision in dim light. Instead of comparing signals from multiple spectral types of photoreceptors, such species use one highly sensitive receptor type thus improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio at night. However, the nocturnal hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor , the nocturnal bee Xylocopa tranquebarica and the nocturnal gecko Tarentola chazaliae can discriminate colours at extremely dim light intensities. To be able to do so, they sacrifice spatial and temporal resolution in favour of colour vision. We review what is known about colour vision in dim light, and compare colour vision thresholds with the optical sensitivity of the photoreceptors in selected animal species with lens and compound eyes.