Evaluation of the color vision in an albino subject of Sapajus sp (Cebus sp)

Author(s)

Leonardo Dutra Henriques

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-07-30

Examining board members

Dora Selma Fix Ventura; Bruno Duarte Gomes; Patricia Izar Mauro

• Advisor: Dora Selma Fix Ventura

Abstract

São Paulo Albinism is a set of phenotypic traits, characterized by the inability to produce melanin, that way the pigmentation of some organs are either reduced or absent. There is no consent on what effects this lower or none pigmentation on retina could lead on subject vision. The color vision represents a major role on primates survival and development. The capacity of visually discriminate targets only by hue differences from the background can be used either to search for food or to avoid predators. Studies on color vision help to make inference on their biological bases and functional utility. This study aimed to elucidate the color vision discrimination of an albino subject of Sapajus sp, through a psychophysical evaluation using a modified version of Cambridge Colour Test (CCT) and a genetic analyses of DNA in order to identify genes that codify the opsin. The correlation between genotype and phenotype were inferred by comparison between discrimination ellipses and genetic composition of genes that code opsin. Thus seeking to identify possible color vision losses caused by albinism comparing those analyses with healthy Sapajus. Despite many problems associated to albinism, the test subject successfully learn the task and his test showed color discrimination thresholds of a deuteranope dichromacy with values within the expected to subjects of Sapajus genera. Those behavioral results where consistent with the phenotype predicted by the genetic analyses (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/05059-8 - Application of a computerized procedure adapted for the evaluation of color vison in the Howler Monkey (Alouatta sp.)
• Grantee: Leonardo Dutra Henriques
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master