Editing Color vision (section)

== Evolution ==
{{Main|Evolution of color vision}}
{{see also|Evolution of color vision in primates}}
Color perception mechanisms are highly dependent on evolutionary factors, of which the most prominent is thought to be satisfactory recognition of food sources. In [[herbivorous]] primates, color perception is essential for finding proper (immature) leaves. In [[hummingbird]]s, particular flower types are often recognized by color as well. On the other hand, [[nocturnal]] mammals have less-developed color vision since adequate light is needed for cones to function properly. There is evidence that [[ultraviolet]] light plays a part in color perception in many branches of the [[animal|animal kingdom]], especially [[insect]]s.  In general, the optical spectrum encompasses the most common [[Molecular electronic transition|electronic transitions]] in matter and is therefore the most useful for collecting information about the environment.

The [[Evolution of color vision in primates|evolution of trichromatic color vision in primates]] occurred as the ancestors of modern monkeys, apes, and humans switched to [[Diurnal animal|diurnal]] (daytime) activity and began consuming fruits and leaves from flowering plants.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Steven P |title=How the Mind Works |publisher=Norton |location=New York |year=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/howmindworks00pink/page/191 191] |isbn=978-0-393-04535-2 |title-link=How the Mind Works |author-link=Steven Pinker }}</ref>  Color vision, with UV discrimination, is also present in a number of arthropods—the only terrestrial animals besides the vertebrates to possess this trait.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Koyanagi M, Nagata T, Katoh K, Yamashita S, Tokunaga F | title = Molecular evolution of arthropod color vision deduced from multiple opsin genes of jumping spiders | journal = Journal of Molecular Evolution | volume = 66 | issue = 2 | pages = 130–7 | date = February 2008 | pmid = 18217181 | doi = 10.1007/s00239-008-9065-9 | s2cid = 23837628 | bibcode = 2008JMolE..66..130K }}</ref>

Some animals can distinguish colors in the ultraviolet spectrum. The UV spectrum falls outside the human visible range, except for some [[cataract surgery]] patients.<ref name="Hambling_2002">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/may/30/medicalscience.research | title=Let the light shine in: You don't have to come from another planet to see ultraviolet light | publisher=EducationGuardian.co.uk | vauthors = Hambling D | date=May 30, 2002 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123170913/http://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/may/30/medicalscience.research | archive-date=November 23, 2014 }}</ref> Birds, turtles, lizards, many fish and some rodents have UV receptors in their retinas.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jacobs GH, Neitz J, Deegan JF | title = Retinal receptors in rodents maximally sensitive to ultraviolet light | journal = Nature | volume = 353 | issue = 6345 | pages = 655–6 | date = October 1991 | pmid = 1922382 | doi = 10.1038/353655a0 | s2cid = 4283145 | bibcode = 1991Natur.353..655J }}</ref> These animals can see the UV patterns found on flowers and other wildlife that are otherwise invisible to the human eye.

Ultraviolet vision is an especially important adaptation in birds. It allows birds to spot small prey from a distance, navigate, avoid predators, and forage while flying at high speeds.  Birds also utilize their broad spectrum vision to recognize other birds, and in sexual selection.<ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Varela FJ, Palacios AG, Goldsmith TM | veditors = Bischof HJ, Zeigler HP |title=Vision, brain, and behavior in birds |publisher=MIT Press |location=Cambridge, Mass |year=1993 |pages=77–94 |isbn=978-0-262-24036-9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Advances in the Study of Behavior | vauthors = Cuthill IC, Partridge JC, Bennett AT, Church SC, Hart NS, Hunt S |chapter= Ultraviolet Vision in Birds |year=2000 |volume=29 |pages=159–214 }}</ref>