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Author (up) Hanggi, E.B.; Ingersoll, J.F.; Waggoner, T.L.
Title Color vision in horses (Equus caballus): deficiencies identified using a pseudoisochromatic plate test Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Journal of Comparative Psychology Abbreviated Journal J. Comp. Psychol.
Volume 121 Issue 1 Pages 65-72
Keywords Animals; Appetitive Behavior; *Color Perception; Color Perception Tests/veterinary; *Discrimination Learning; Female; Horses/*psychology; Male; Sensitivity and Specificity
Abstract In the past, equine color vision was tested with stimuli composed either of painted cards or photographic slides or through physiological testing using electroretinogram flicker photometry. Some studies produced similar results, but others did not, demonstrating that there was not yet a definitive answer regarding color vision in horses (Equus caballus). In this study, a pseudoisochromatic plate test--which is highly effective in testing color vision both in small children and in adult humans--was used for the first time on a nonhuman animal. Stimuli consisted of different colored dotted circles set against backgrounds of varying dots. The coloration of the circles corresponded to the visual capabilities of different types of color deficiencies (anomalous trichromacy and dichromacy). Four horses were tested on a 2-choice discrimination task. All horses successfully reached criterion for gray circles and demonstration circles. None of the horses were able to discriminate the protan-deutan plate or the individual protan or deutan plates. However, all were able to discriminate the tritan plate. The results suggest that horses are dichromats with color vision capabilities similar to those of humans with red-green color deficiencies.
Address Equine Research Foundation, Aptos, CA 95001, USA. EquiResF@aol.com
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0735-7036 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17324076 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ ; Equine Behaviour @ team @ room B 3.029 Serial 1972
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