Ultraviolet Vision in Vertebrates

Abstract

Recent years have seen an upsurge of interest in the study of ultraviolet vision in vertebrates. The presence of retinal photopigments that allow for ultraviolet vision appear to be relatively common among birds and fishes, and there is evidence that such pigments are to be found in some species from each of the following classes: amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Following a review of the distribution and nature of ultraviolet vision in vertebrates the issue of the utility of this capacity is discussed.