Color vision evolution

J. Nathans. 1999. The evolution and physiology of human color vision Insights from molecular genetic studies of visual pigments Neuron 24 299-312. (PubMed)... 

R. Menzel (1979). Spectral sensitivity and color vision in invertebrates. In H. Hutrum (Ed.), Comparative Physiology and Evolution in Invertebrates (pp. 503-580). Springer-Verlag, New York. 

The evolution of color vision suggests that multicellular organisms evolved monochromatic photoreceptors some 800 million years ago. The frequency to which these were sensitive is not clear arguments have been made for values of 360 nm (in the modern UV) and 625 nm. By 450 million years, BP, evolution led to a four-cone system (tetrachromats) with sensitivity maxima at 360, 430, 560, and 625 nm. So the ancestors of all vertebrate species at one time had UV vision. Mammals evolved about 208 million years BP, but by 125 million years BP, they had lost both the U V and red sensors (maybe they were largely nocturnal during the age... 

Apparently, photopic vision relates to "sunlight", to which the humcui had adapted through evolution, while scotopic vision related to "moonlight", that is, sunlight modified by reflection finm the Moon s surface. However, it was soon discovered that the color responses of individuals were not exactly the same. Each individual "sees" a color slightly differently from anyone else. We have learned to discriminate between colors but no one knows exactly what anyone else actually sees. 

Garrido-Novell, C. etal (2012) Grading and color evolution of apples using RGB and hyperspectral imaging vision cameras. J. Food Eng, 113 (2),... 

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