Recent evolution of uniform trichromacy in a New World monkey.
Until recently, New World primates were found to have a single M/L photopigment gene on the X-chromosome. This arrangement limits males to dichromatic, or monochromatic color vision. Only females who were heterozygous for the M/L gene were trichromatic. Recently, an exception has been discovered. Male howler monkeys appear to have more than one M/L pigment gene, and both genders are uniformly trichromatic. We characterized promoter regions corresponding to two M/L pigment genes in howlers. Comparison of DNA sequences with those of humans and three species of New World primate suggest a recent and independent acquisition of a second M/L gene locus in the howler.
Kainz
P M
PM
Department of Cellular Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Neitz
J
J
Neitz
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002427:Cebidae / Q000235:genetics*; D003118:Color Perception / Q000235:genetics*; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000235:genetics
D012168:Retinal Pigments; D004247:DNA