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The Evolution of Mammalian Visual Mechanisms

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Book cover Central Processing of Visual Information A: Integrative Functions and Comparative Data

Part of the book series: Handbook of Sensory Physiology ((1536,volume 7 / 3 / 3 A))

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Abstract

The evolution of the structure and function of the mammalian visual system has not, until recently, been studied intensively, and historically these studies have mainly been concerned with the geniculo-striate system. The importance of the superior colliculus (SC) has been reemphasized in recent studies [66, 73, 74], and a functional pathway from the superior colliculus—lateral posterior nucleus (LP)— neocortex has been demonstrated [1, 72]. In this paper, I will attempt to trace the evolutionary development of some of the visual systems present in the mammals, with particular attention being devoted to the primates, and then to relate these developments to behavior. It will be shown that the visual behavior patterns that have been studied after central visual lesions can be explained on the basis of three mechanisms, lateral geniculate body (GL)—striate cortex, SC—LP—neocortex, and SC—spinal cord.

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    Marvin Snyder

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Snyder, M. (1973). The Evolution of Mammalian Visual Mechanisms. In: Jung, R. (eds) Central Processing of Visual Information A: Integrative Functions and Comparative Data. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 7 / 3 / 3 A. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65352-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65352-0_12

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