Problems Posed by Primate Ganglion Cells for Functional Anatomy and Psychophysics

Abstract

There are many features common to the the retinae of different mammals. There are, for example, often two distinct types of horizontal cell (Cajal, 1933) and there is a distinct class of ganglion cell which can be visualised by neurofibrillar staining (Peichl et al., 1987). Yet it has become increasingly evident over the last few years that the primate retina possesses unique features, which distinguish it from retinae of other mammals such as the cat. One feature is the presence of three distinct cone types. Although other mammals may possess a rudimentary ability to distinguish wavelength differences, simian primates are unique in their well-developed colour vision. How far the primate retina has been remodelled to process spectral as well as spatial composition is uncertain, but interpretation of results from primate retina are coloured by the fact that wavelength as well as intensity is being encoded.