Motion perception deficits in albino ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Vision Res. 2006 Sep;46(18):2941-8. doi: 10.1016/j.visres.2006.02.020. Epub 2006 May 2.

Abstract

Albino ferrets contrary to their pigmented conspecifics show no optokinetic nystagmus. Therefore, in this study motion perception was compared between pigmented and albino ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) trained to discriminate between coherently moving random dot patterns and dynamic noise stimuli in a two-alternative forced choice task. Fully coherently versus incoherently moving patterns could be distinguished by ferrets of both phenotypes. Motion coherence thresholds, however, were significantly higher in albinos. These results indicate that albino ferrets are not motion blind as could be expected from their total lack of optokinetic reactions. However, they are severely impaired in global motion perception.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albinism, Ocular / physiopathology
  • Albinism, Ocular / psychology*
  • Albinism, Ocular / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Contrast Sensitivity
  • Discrimination, Psychological
  • Female
  • Ferrets / physiology
  • Ferrets / psychology*
  • Male
  • Motion Perception*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Perceptual Disorders / etiology
  • Perceptual Disorders / physiopathology
  • Perceptual Disorders / psychology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Visual Acuity