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Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Evolution of visual resolution constrained by a trade-off
R Kortmann1, E Postma, J van den Herik
1Universiteit Maastricht, IKAT Neural Networks and Adaptive Behaviour Group, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The evolution of visual systems is constrained by a trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution. In this article we aim at identifying the causes of the trade-off at the retinal level in both artificial and natural visual systems. We start by selecting two factors that limit the values of spatial and temporal resolution. Then we show in two experiments on the evolution of an artificial system that the two factors induce trade-off curves connecting the evolved values of spatial and temporal resolution. A comparison of the experimental results with the resolution evolved in natural visual systems leads us to the conclusion that in natural systems the same factors are responsible for the observed trade-off.
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