UV VISION IN BIRDS - A SUMMARY OF LATEST RESULTS CONCERNING THE EXTENDED SPECTRAL RANGE OF BIRDS

Authors
MAIER EJ
Citation
Ej. Maier, UV VISION IN BIRDS - A SUMMARY OF LATEST RESULTS CONCERNING THE EXTENDED SPECTRAL RANGE OF BIRDS, Journal fur Ornithologie, 135(2), 1994, pp. 179-192
Citations number
64
Language
TEDESCO
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Ornithology
Journal title
Journal fur Ornithologie → ACNP
ISSN journal
0021-8375
Volume
135
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
179 - 192
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-8375(1994)135:2<179:UVIB-A>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
The results of a microspectrophotometric and a behavioural test presen t evidence that the passeriform bird Leiothrix lutea (Timaliidae) poss esses a genuine UV cone type and is highly sensitive in the UV part of the spectrum. Those data are in accordance with results of other test s indicating that a majority of bird species is UV sensitive (either b y a UV cone type or somewhat limited by a violet cone typ). Possible u se of this extended sensitivity like orientation according to the pola risation pattern of the sky, species and/or mate recognition and food detection are discussed.