The genetics of New World monkey visual pigments.

Bonci, Daniela Maria Oliveira; Neitz, Maureen; Neitz, Jay; Silveira, Luiz Carlos de Lima; Ventura, Dora Fix

doi:10.3922/j.psns.2013.2.02

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…This leads to heterozygous females being trichromats, whereas homozygous females and hemizygous males are dichromats [5,7]. Almost all NWM genera studied to date have a polymorphic system, including callithrichids such as marmosets (Callithrix), cebids such as capuchin monkeys (Cebus, Sapajus), atelids such as spider (Ateles) and woolly (Lagothrix) monkeys, and pitheciids such as titi (Callicebus), saki (Pithecia) and bearded saki (Chiropotes) monkeys [8,9]. The two exceptions are the nocturnal owl monkeys (Aotus), which are monochromatic, and the howler monkeys (Alouatta), in which all males and females are trichomatic (routine trichromacy) [10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is an excellent understanding of the structure-function relationship of primate MW/LW opsin photopigments [9,[39][40][41], showing that the majority of variation in the maximal spectral sensitivity (l max ) of opsins can be attributed to three amino acid sites encoded in exons 3 and 5. In this study, we investigate colour vision in a wild population of the bald uakari in Peru by genotyping the X-linked opsin locus at these key sites affecting spectral sensitivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Highly polymorphic colour vision in a New World monkey with red facial skin, the bald uakari (Cacajao calvus)

et al. 2016

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Colour vision is highly variable in New World monkeys (NWMs). Evidence for the adaptive basis of colour vision in this group has largely centred on environmental features such as foraging benefits for differently coloured foods or predator detection, whereas selection on colour vision for sociosexual communication is an alternative hypothesis that has received little attention. The colour vision of uakaris (Cacajao) is of particular interest because these monkeys have the most dramatic red facial skin of any primate, as well as a unique fission/fusion social system and a specialist diet of seeds. Here, we investigate colour vision in a wild population of the bald uakari, C. calvus, by genotyping the X-linked opsin locus. We document the presence of a polymorphic colour vision system with an unprecedented number of functional alleles (six), including a novel allele with a predicted maximum spectral sensitivity of 555 nm. This supports the presence of strong balancing selection on different alleles at this locus. We consider different hypotheses to explain this selection. One possibility is that trichromacy functions in sexual selection, enabling females to choose high-quality males on the basis of red facial coloration. In support of this, there is some evidence that health affects facial coloration in uakaris, as well as a high prevalence of blood-borne parasitism in wild uakari populations. Alternatively, the low proportion of heterozygous female trichromats in the population may indicate selection on different dichromatic phenotypes, which might be related to cryptic food coloration. We have uncovered unexpected diversity in the last major lineage of NWMs to be assayed for colour vision, which will provide an interesting system to dissect adaptation of polymorphic trichromacy.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highly polymorphic colour vision in a New World monkey with red facial skin, the bald uakari (Cacajao calvus)

et al. 2016

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“…On the other hand, Neotropical primates (Parvorder Platyrrhini), like most other placental mammals, have one copy of the lws opsin gene in the X chromosome, meaning that both, males, with a single X chromosome, and homozygous females, are dichromats. However, allelic polymorphisms of the LWS is observed in many species of Platyrrhini, leading to a variety of colour vision phenotypes among different species and among individuals of a same species [4]. These polymorphisms may lead to trichromacy in heterozygous females, with two distinct lws opsin genes in each X chromosome that are translated into opsins that can be spectrally tuned toward the green (middle wavelengths) or the red (long wavelengths) regions of the light spectrum [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uniform trichromacy in Alouatta caraya and Alouatta seniculus: behavioural and genetic colour vision evaluation

et al. 2021

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Primate colour vision depends on a matrix of photoreceptors, a neuronal post receptoral structure and a combination of genes that culminate in different sensitivity through the visual spectrum. Along with a common cone opsin gene for short wavelengths (sws1), Neotropical primates (Platyrrhini) have only one cone opsin gene for medium-long wavelengths (mws/lws) per X chromosome while Paleotropical primates (Catarrhini), including humans, have two active genes. Therefore, while female platyrrhines may be trichromats, males are always dichromats. The genus Alouatta is inferred to be an exception to this rule, as electrophysiological, behavioural and molecular analyses indicated a potential for male trichromacy in this genus. However, it is very important to ascertain by a combination of genetic and behavioural analyses whether this potential translates in terms of colour discrimination capability. We evaluated two howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.), one male A. caraya and one female A. seniculus, using a combination of genetic analysis of the opsin gene sequences and a behavioral colour discrimination test not previously used in this genus. Both individuals completed the behavioural test with performances typical of trichromatic colour vision and the genetic analysis of the sws1, mws, and lws opsin genes revealed three different opsin sequences in both subjects. These results are consistent with uniform trichromacy in both male and female, with presumed spectral sensitivity peaks similar to Catarrhini, at ~ 430 nm, 532 nm, and 563 nm for S-, M- and L-cones, respectively.

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“…In contrast, in New World monkeys (NWM), polymorphisms in a single X‐linked lws opsin gene can generate two or more distinct opsins, variably sensitive to middle and long wavelengths, providing a trichromatic color vision condition only in heterozygous females, while males and homozygous females are dichromatic as most mammals (Jacobs, 2007; Mollon et al, 1984). Several studies have investigated the variability and polymorphisms of LWS/MWS opsins in NWM (Bonci et al, 2013; Hiramatsu et al, 2005; Kawamura et al, 2001; Shyue et al, 1998; Soares et al, 2010; Travis et al, 1988; Yokoyama & Radlwimmer, 2001), and how the diversity of sensitivity to middle and long wavelengths might be associated with the species visual ecology, including the ability to find food sources (Abreu et al, 2019; Melin et al, 2007; Tovée et al, 1992; Vorobyev, 2004). However, less attention has been given to the variability of spectral sensitivity to short wavelengths within this group, and how possible variations may be associated with the species ecology and behavior (Hunt et al, 1995; Shimmin et al, 1997, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic variability of the sws1 cone opsin gene among New World monkeys

Mantovani

Hauzman

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et al. 2020

American J Primatol

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Vision is a major sense for Primates and the ability to perceive colors has great importance for the species ecology and behavior. Visual processing begins with the activation of the visual opsins in the retina, and the spectral absorption peaks are highly variable among species. In most Primates, LWS/MWS opsins are responsible for sensitivity to long/middle wavelengths within the visible light spectrum, and SWS1 opsins provide sensitivity to short wavelengths, in the violet region of the spectrum. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variation on the sws1 opsin gene of New World monkeys (NWM) and search for amino acid substitutions that might be associated with the different color vision phenotypes described for a few species. We sequenced the exon 1 of the sws1 opsin gene of seven species from the families Callitrichidae, Cebidae, and Atelidae, and searched for variation at the spectral tuning sites 46, 49, 52, 86, 90, 93, 114, 116, and 118. Among the known spectral tuning sites, only residue 114 was variable. To investigate whether other residues have a functional role in the SWS1 absorption peak, we performed computational modeling of wild-type SWS1 and mutants A50I and A50V, found naturally among the species investigated. Although in silico analysis did not show any visible effect caused by these substitutions, it is possible that interactions of residue 50 with other sites might have some effect in the spectral shifts in the order of~14 nm, found among the NWM. We also performed phylogenetic reconstruction of the sws1 gene, which partially recovered the species phylogeny. Further studies will be important to uncover the mutations responsible for the phenotypic variability of the SWS1 of NWM, and how spectral tuning may be associated with specific ecological features such as preferred food items and habitat use.

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The genetics of New World monkey visual pigments.

Cited by 7 publications

References 101 publications

Highly polymorphic colour vision in a New World monkey with red facial skin, the bald uakari (Cacajao calvus)

Highly polymorphic colour vision in a New World monkey with red facial skin, the bald uakari (Cacajao calvus)

Uniform trichromacy in Alouatta caraya and Alouatta seniculus: behavioural and genetic colour vision evaluation

Genetic variability of the sws1 cone opsin gene among New World monkeys

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