title: Spectral sensitivity differences between rhesus monkeys and humans: implications for neurophysiology.
abstract: Spectral sensitivity of humans and rhesus monkeys was compared using identical displays and similar procedures. Detection thresholds were measured for the following: 1) 15-Hz modulation of a blue and a green cathode-ray tube phosphor; 2) 15-Hz modulation of all three phosphors together; and 3) slow (<1 Hz) modulations of a blue and a green phosphor under scotopic conditions. Monkeys had lower blue-to-green threshold ratios than humans at all eccentricities tested (0.5 to 7°), consistent with a lower lens optical density in monkeys. In addition to apparently having a lower lens density than humans, monkeys were more sensitive to 15-Hz red-green isoluminant modulations than humans, an effect that cannot be explained by optical factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lindbloom-Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Leah J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Tait
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington ghorwitz@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Horwitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003118:Color Perception; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D009482:Neurophysiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011601:Psychophysics; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological; D014794:Visual Fields; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: color; cone fundamentals; luminance; monkey