Abstract
The X-chromosomal locality of the red-green-sensitive opsin genes has been the norm for all mammals and is essential for color vision of higher primates. Owl monkeys (Aotus), a genus of New World monkeys, are the only nocturnal higher primates and are severely color-blind. We demonstrate that the owl monkeys possess extra red-green opsin genes on the Y-chromosome. The Y-linked opsin genes were found to be extremely varied, in one male appearing to be a functional gene and in other males to be multicopy pseudogenes. These Y-linked opsin genes should offer a rare opportunity to study the evolutionary fate of genes translocated to the Y chromosome.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 70-72 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | FEBS Letters |
Volume | 530 |
Issue number | 1-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 23 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology