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Medium/Long wavelength sensitive opsin diversity in Pitheciidae
Vinicius D L R Goulart1,2, Jean P Boubli3, Robert J Young3
1CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF, 70040-020, Brazil. v.d.l.r.goulart@edu.salford.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|August 12, 2017
Summary
New World primates exhibit diverse opsin alleles, crucial for understanding their complex color vision. This study reveals significant allelic diversity in the Pitheciidae family, impacting species
Area of Science:
- Primate genetics
- Vision science
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- New World primates possess complex color vision, often with polymorphic systems.
- Opsin allelic diversity in primates is high, but its adaptive significance remains unclear.
- Understanding opsin diversity is key to explaining species' coloration and ecological adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the allelic types of medium/long wavelength sensitive opsins in the Pitheciidae family.
- To reveal opsin diversity in both cryptic and conspicuous Pitheciidae species.
- To contribute to understanding the adaptive value of primate color vision.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of opsin allelic diversity within the Pitheciidae family.
- Examination of species across different ecological niches (cryptic vs. conspicuous).
Main Results:
- Identified high allelic diversity of medium/long wavelength sensitive opsins in Pitheciidae.
- Found five alleles in Cacajao, six in Callicebinae, four in Chiropotes, and three in Pithecia.
- Reported several novel opsin alleles for the first time.
- Observed high allelic diversity in both cryptic and conspicuous Pitheciidae species.
Conclusions:
- The Pitheciidae family exhibits substantial opsin allelic diversity.
- This diversity is present across various species, regardless of their conspicuousness or ecological strategy.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the adaptive roles of this opsin diversity in primate vision and ecology.
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