Latitudinal variation in light levels drives human visual system size.

Journal article

Ambient light levels influence visual system size in birds and primates. Here, we argue that the same is true for humans. Light levels, in terms of both the amount of light hitting the Earth's surface and day length, decrease with increasing latitude. We demonstrate a significant positive relationship between absolute latitude and human orbital volume, an index of eyeball size. Owing to tight scaling between visual system components, this will translate into enlarged visual cortices at higher...

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Authors: Pearce, E; Dunbar, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Biology letters
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 90-93
• Publication date: 2012-02-01
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0570
• EISSN: 1744-957X
• ISSN: 1744-9561
• Language: English
• Keywords: Linear Models; Statistics, Nonparametric; Geography; Orbit; Sunlight; Humans; Eye; Selection, Genetic; Photoperiod; Visual Cortex; Body Weights and Measures; Visual Acuity