Evolution of human colour vision other two human opsins. Middle Wavelength Sensitive Opsin (Green-sensitive opsin) – Encoded by the OPN1MW gene with a λmax of 530 found in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Short Wavelength Sensitive Opsin (Blue opsin) – Encoded by the OPN1SW gene with a λmax of 430 found in the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Certain parts of opsin genes and the vision of various species, including humans, has been known to change over time with different environmental changes. Recent studies have shown that primitive nocturnal mammalian ancestors had dichromatic vision consisting of UV–sensitive and red–sensitive traits. A change
Evolution of human colour vision with limited colour vision. This is believed to have also been influenced by life styles, including being predominantly nocturnal. There is little data indicating the advantages of UV vision in early human ancestors. Early human ultraviolet vision, or ultraviolet sensitivity, included sensitivity in the wavelength ranges between 400 and 10. These wavelengths are shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays. In some rare cases, some modern day humans can see within the UV spectrum at wavelengths close to 310. In other animals that possess UV vision such as birds, ultraviolet sensitivity can be advantageous for courtship and reproductive success.