Vision in the prairie dog: Spectral sensitivity and color vision.

Abstract

Assessed visual sensitivity and color vision discrimination tests with 2 male and 3 female black-tailed prairie dogs. As measured in an increment-threshold situation, (Exp I), spectral sensitivity functions peak at 520-540 nm. For different states of adaptation there was little change in the location of peak spectral sensitivity, although at higher light levels the function had a somewhat more complex form. In Exp II, it was found that Ss' threshold was slightly lower than that for other cone visual systems. Tests for the presence of a spectral neutral point and for chromaticity confusions in Exp III revealed that Ss have color vision of the dichromatic variety. Like other gound-dwelling sciurids examined previously, the dichromacy of the prairie dog is closest to that shown by human protanopes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)