News Genetics

Ancient reptiles saw red before turning red

Gene in birds, turtles linked to both vision and coloration

painted turtle and zebra finch

SEEING RED  A gene shared by western painted turtles and zebra finches points to red color vision, and perhaps red coloration, in dinosaurs.

From left: Nicole Valenzuela; Stuart Dennis

By Amy McDermott

- More than 2 years ago

You’ve got to see it to be it. A heightened sense of red color vision arose in ancient reptiles before bright red skin, scales and feathers, a new study suggests.