| Functional |
"The three opsins that characterize most mammals include a rod opsin (RH1) and two cone opsins, short wavelength-sensitive opsin (SWS1) and long wavelength-sensitive opsin (LWS). Rods mainly function in dim light conditions (scotopic/night vision) whereas cones require more light (photopic vision) and are necessary with color vision." |
10.1371/journal.pgen.1003432 |
| Mutation Description |
"Reconstructions of ancestral sequences imply eight frameshift indels and three splice site disruptions within Cetacea, with convergent inactivation of LWS on the following five branches (Figure 1): Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, Mesoplodon bidens, stem Balaenidae (node 28 to node 29), and stem Balaenopteroidea (node 30 to node 31)." |
10.1371/journal.pgen.1003432 |
| Methodology & Validation |
"Previously published RH1, SWS1, and LWS sequences for Cetacea were combined with new sequences that were generated through PCR and dideoxy sequencing." |
10.1371/journal.pgen.1003432 |
| Phenotypic |
"The tandem inactivation of SWS1 and LWS in these taxa presumably renders them rod monochromats, a condition that was previously unknown within Mammalia." |
10.1371/journal.pgen.1003432 |
| Phenotypic |
"LWS, in turn, was pseudogenized convergently in five different cetacean lineages [right whale plus
bowhead, rorquals plus gray whale, Sowerby’s beaked whale, giant sperm whale, pygmy sperm
whale], all of which are deep divers that feed on bioluminescent organisms." |
10.1371/journal.pgen.1003432 |