When Did Nature Burst Into Vivid Color?
SMRTR summary
Color vision evolved in animals 400-500 million years ago, predating colorful signals in nature by over 100 million years. Distinctive colors first appeared in fruits and seeds around 300 million years ago, followed by flowers, warning coloration, and mating displays. This evolutionary timeline suggests color vision initially served unknown purposes before being co-opted for signaling.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Quanta Magazine.
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