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The mystery of color vision: Are the differences between squirrel monkeys and humans so interesting?
Squirrel monkeys, a member of the genera Saimiri of the New World monkeys, possess unique features in color vision that make them ideal organisms for studying visual differences. In addition to exploring their living habits and physiology, our exploration of their color perception abilities will provide a deeper understanding of the human visual system.
Squirrel monkeys live in tropical forests of Central and South America, primarily in the tree canopy.
These monkeys have short, compact hair that is black on the shoulders and yellow or orange on the back and limbs. Their faces are bright white, a color scheme that makes them special attention in zoos or life science experiments. Of these squirrel monkeys, five species have been identified, including the Central American squirrel monkey and the black squirrel monkey, whose numbers continue to decline.
Evolution and classification
Under current taxonomy, until 1984, all South American squirrel monkeys were considered a single, widespread species. However, as they studied more, scientists realized that the two main groups could be divided into different types based on the white area above the eyes. The white areas of the S. sciureus group are in the shape of Gothic arches, while those of the S. boliviensis group are in the shape of Roman arches.
Molecular biological research shows that the evolution of squirrel monkeys began 1.5 million years ago and underwent multiple diversifications during the Pleistocene.
Behavior and ecology
Squirrel monkeys are diurnal and arboreal animals that mostly live in polyamorous groups of up to 500 individuals. Such social life fosters diverse communications and complex behavioral patterns, including warning calls to deter predators.
Compared to other New World monkeys, the squirrel monkey's tail has a special function. It is not used for climbing, but for balance. They move quickly between trees, and their diet consists mainly of fruits and insects, and occasionally seeds and leaves.
Reproduction and physical conditioning
The squirrel monkey's breeding season is affected by climate, with females usually giving birth during the rainy season, with a gestation period of about 150 to 170 days. In this species' social structure, mothers raise their young alone, and their infants are usually weaned at four months old.
Squirrel monkeys are unique in their ability to regulate body temperature because they can only sweat through their palms and soles, so they need to use behavioral changes and urine washing to maintain their body temperature.
Study of color vision
Squirrel monkeys' color vision is widely used in the study of human visual impairment. According to research, squirrel monkeys have a genetic makeup similar to that of humans, making them an ideal model for visual research. Unlike males who have dichromatic vision, females can partially display trichromatic vision due to their two X chromosomes.
ConclusionSquirrel monkeys are gaining increasing attention in studies of ecology, physiology and evolution. Their unique visual system not only enables them to adapt flexibly to their living environment, but also serves as a window for scientists to gain a deeper understanding of human vision. As more research is conducted, will we discover other animals with the same special visual abilities in the future?
