Colour vision 'resulted in red monkey hair'
Orange hair 'results from being able to see in colour'
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Friday, 25, May 2007 11:55
After monkeys were able to see the colour red they began to develop red and orange skin and hair, US scientists have discovered.
Humans, apes and old world monkeys are able to see blue, green and red colours, known as trichromatic vision. Scientists have debated whether this ability was formed to help primates forage for food or whether it helped them select mates.
Ohio University researchers Andre Fernandez and Molly Morris argue that red-colour vision was evolved for non-social purposes such as foraging.
And once this evolved, they claim, their vision drove the evolution of red skin and hair through sexual selection.
By looking at the traits of individual species in the evolutionary context they found that the species which could discern red and orange hues were more likely to develop red and orange skin and hair as well as highly social habits that make it easier to visually compare mates.
"Neuroscience research has found some evidence of a perceptual bias for more brilliant colours," said Mr Fernandez, an Ohio University doctoral student.
"So, it is reasonable for primates with trichromatic colour vision to respond more when they see bright colours."
Dr Morris added: "It looks like red skin and hair became a sexual preference.
"So while the benefits in terms of eating may not apply anymore, the (red-colour) vision in some groups is now relevant in social terms."
The study is published in the journal American Naturalist.