Double cone (biology)

Double cones (DCs), known as twin cones when the two members are the same, are two cone cells (colour detecting photoreceptors) joined together that may also be coupled optically/electrically. They are the most common type of cone cells in fish, reptiles and birds, and are present in most vertebrates, though they have been noted as absent in placental mammals (including humans), elasmobranches and catfish. There are many gap junctions between the cells of fish double cones. Their function, if they have any unique function compared to single cones, is largely unknown; proposed uses include achromatic (non-colour vision) tasks such as detecting luminance, motion and polarization vision.