We have reinvestigated receptive-field structure
of ganglion cells of the macaque parafovea using counterphase
modulation of a bipartite field. Receptive fields were
mapped with luminance, chromatic, and cone-isolating stimuli.
Center sizes of middle (M) and long (L) wavelength cone
opponent cells of the parvocellular (PC) pathway were consistent
with previous estimates (Gaussian radii of 2–4 min
of arc, corresponding to center diameters of 6–12
min of arc). We calculate that a large factor of the enlargement
relative to cone radius could be blur due to the eye's
natural optics. Maps were consistent with cone selectivity
in surround mechanisms, which had radii of 5–8 min
of arc. For magnocellular (MC) cells, center size estimates
were also consistent with grating measurements from the
literature (also Gaussian radii of 2–4 min of arc).
The surround mechanism contributing the MC-cell frequency-doubled
response to chromatic modulation appears to possess a subunit
structure, and we speculate it derives from nonlinear summation
of signals from M,L-cone opponent subunits, such as midget
bipolar cells.