Spectral sensitivity, photopigments, and color vision in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

Behavioral discrimination tests and electroretinogram (ERG) flicker photometry were used to measure spectral sensitivity and to define the spectral mechanisms of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Results from these 2 approaches converge to indicate that guinea pig retinas contain rods with peak sensitivity of about 494 nm and 2 classes of cone having peak sensitivities of about 429 nm and 529 nm. The presence of 2 classes of cones suggests a retinal basis for a color vision capacity. Behavioral tests of color vision were conducted that verified this prediction: Guinea pigs have dichromatic color vision with a spectral neutral point centered at about 480 nm. The cone pigment complement of the guinea pig is different from that known to characterize other rodents.