Talk:Binocular vision
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ok... two eyes... better field of view than one... but if the opposite to binocular vision is monocular vision - ie like a rabbit... 360 degrees field of view... even better? kevin 82.32.0.254 15:33, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
I prefer to think of the evolution of frontal dispalced conjugate ocular systems as a cost-benefit. The cost of frontally displaced eyes is most definitely a reduction of field compared to species capable of indepedent eye movements. The benfits however outweigh the loss of field. These include improved detection and stereoscopic localization which from an ecological viewpoint is much more beneficial to a gatherer/ hunter specie than improve field by itself.
I agree, the 'better field of view' is only better relative to a homo sapien [or any homo species, most monkeys and apes] who has lost an eye, or is born a cyclops. Rabbits, iguana's or any other species that has sideways facing eyes is at a distinct advantage in that they has a 300+ field of view. This is a predatorial disadvantage to us, we can't see behind. So, what are the benefits? That is how this article should go, if you are discussing advantages.
[edit] correction
"Binocular summation means that the detection threshold for a stimulus is lower with two eyes than with one."
Did you mean that the detection threshold for a stimulus is higher with two eyes than with one? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.35.142.84 (talk) 16:59, 29 December 2007 (UTC)
- No. A threshold is the intensity of a stimulus for detection. Lower thresholds mean better sensitivity. Robert P. O'Shea (talk) 19:27, 2 April 2008 (UTC)
[edit] complaint
The discussion of the evolutionary benefits of binocular vision is grossly oversimplified and probably wrong in several respects. It's not the distance between the eyes, but whether they face forward or not. Sperm whales have enormous distance between their eyes AND they are predators, but they don't have binocular vision. Fruit eating monkeys have binocular vision...Why? Do brachiators have stereoscopic vision so they can locate the next branch before they let go of the last? We need a more sophisticated discussion here.
