Behavioural Evidence of Sex-Linked Colour Vision Polymorphism in the Squirrel Monkey <i>Saimiri ustus</i>

Vol. 79, No. 3, 2008

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Original Article

Behavioural Evidence of Sex-Linked Colour Vision Polymorphism in the Squirrel Monkey Saimiri ustus
Carolina C. Prado^a, Daniel M.A. Pessoa^b, Flavio Luis L. Sousa^a, Valdir F. Pessoa^a

^aLaboratory of Neurosciences and Behaviour and Primate Centre, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, and
^bDepartment of Physiology and Primate Centre, Federal University of RioGrande do Norte, Natal, Brasil

Address of Corresponding Author

Folia Primatol 2008;79:172-184 (DOI: 10.1159/000113537)

Key Words

Colour discrimination
Dichromatism
Trichromatism
Munsell colour system
Human colour blindness
Sex differences

Abstract

Squirrel monkeys, like most Neotropical primates, display a sex-linked colour vision polymorphism. Here we assess the colour perception of 8 Saimiri ustus by a behavioural paradigm using Munsell colour chips as discriminating stimuli. A random variation in brightness assured that discriminations were based on colour rather than brightness cues. Results indicate that all males showed random performances when presented with stimuli which, in previous experiments with human colour-blind individuals and dichromatic non-human primates, proved to be difficult to discriminate. Females behaved as trichromats. The different phenotypes in S. ustus may offer diverse advantages in feeding ecology and are in agreement with the existence of vision polymorphism, as described for other species of squirrel monkeys.

Author Contacts

Prof. Valdir F. Pessoa
Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento
CFS, IB, Universidade de Brasília
Brasília, DF 70910-900 (Brasil)
Tel. +55 61 3307 2175, Fax +55 61 3274 1251
E-Mail vpessoa@unb.br

Article Information

Received: April 16, 2007
Accepted after revision: October 4, 2007
Published online: January 22, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 13
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 61

Medline Abstract (ID 18212502)

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