title: Visual pigments of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) and greater galago (Galago crassicaudatus): a microspectrophotometric investigation.
abstract: Optical density, linear dichroism and bleaching difference spectra were measured in photoreceptors from the cone-dominated retina of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) and from the rod-dominated retina of the greater galago (Galago crassicaudatus) using a single-beam, wavelength-scanning, dichroic microspectrophotometer. In Tupaia, we obtained spectral records from 272 cone receptors (from 10 eyes), of which 264 were long-wave sensitive (lambda max = 555 +/- 6 nm) and 8 were short-wave sensitive (lambda max = 428 +/- 15 nm). Also, one anatomically-recognizable rod receptor was encountered and showed a peak absorption at approx. 496 nm. No mid-wave sensitive cone pigment was found, as would be expected in deutan-type dichromats like the tree shrew. Pre-retinal absorption by the cornea and lens was maximal at 370 nm and negligible beyond 430 nm. In Galago, all outer segments measured were rod-like in appearance (lambda max near 501 nm). Measurements of pre-retinal absorption yielded a single-peaked function with a maximum at 363 nm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hárosi
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D005701:Galago; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009904:Optical Rotation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000032:analysis*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014418:Tupaiidae
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments