Evolution and function of colour vision in mammals

该项目旨在研究具有不同系统发育和生物地理史的有袋类和单孔目动物(针鼠纲和鸭嘴兽)的颜色视觉。提高对调节色觉的视蛋白基因分子结构的了解，对于理解这种关键哺乳动物(包括人类)的感觉能力的进化和功能将是至关重要的。了解物种颜色歧视将有助于澳大利亚独特动物的保护措施，为当地和国家社区提供社会和经济资产，并将设立一个应在世界范围内应用的标准。密切的国际联系和智力交流对包括学生在内的澳大利亚科学界来说将是无价的。

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.