Evolution and function of colour vision in mammals

该项目的目的是调查有袋动物和单孔目动物（针鼹和鸭嘴兽）的色觉，这些动物具有不同的遗传和地理历史。 提高知识的分子结构的视蛋白基因介导的颜色视觉将是至关重要的进化和功能的理解这一关键的哺乳动物（包括人类）的感官能力。 了解物种颜色歧视将有助于澳大利亚独特动物群的保护措施，为当地和国家社区提供社会和经济资产，并将制定一个应在世界范围内适用的标准。 密切的国际联系和知识交流对澳大利亚科学界，包括学生来说是非常宝贵的。

The project aims to investigate colour vision in marsupials and monotremes (echidna and platypus) with differing phylogenies and biogeographic histories. Improving knowledge of the molecular structure of opsin genes mediating colour vision will be crucial to the understanding of evolution and function of this key mammalian (including human) sensory capacity. Understanding species colour discrimination will contribute to protective measures of Australia's unique fauna, presenting social and economic assets for the local and national community, and will set a standard that should be applied world-wide. Close international links and intellectual exchange will be invaluable to the Australian science community, including students.