DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of Ultraviolet Plumage Color

论文研究：紫外线羽毛颜色的演变

• 批准号: 0309026
• 负责人: Scott Lanyon
• 金额: $ 0.61万
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-09-01 至 2004-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0309026&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Evolution; Ultraviolet; Plumage

Studies on the functions and evolution of bird coloration have been a significant aspect of avian research during the past century. However, recent changes in our understanding of avian vision and the light reflectance properties of feathers call into question our traditional assessments of avian colors. Hypotheses regarding bird coloration have historically been based solely on human visual capabilities, which do not include sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. Yet, birds are now known to be visually sensitivity to UV light, and behavioral evidence demonstrates that manipulation of UV levels can influence social interactions. Furthermore, UV plumage reflectance is ubiquitous across birds and color differences exist among feathers that humans cannot distinguish. Using new technology which can assess feather coloration in accordance with the visual capabilities of birds, this proposal aims to answer the following question: Do color differences exist between males and females of the same species that were previously considered identical?The results of this research could have profound implications for studies of mate choice, plumage evolution, and avian behavior. Not only will this study greatly impact future avian research, but the broader impacts include: 1) undergraduate research opportunities, 2) development of educational exercises for undergraduate students, 3) educating K-12 teachers, and 4) public outreach through the Bell Museum of Natural History.

鸟类体色的功能和进化研究是近世纪来鸟类研究的一个重要方面。 然而，最近我们对鸟类视觉和羽毛光反射特性的理解发生了变化，这对我们传统的鸟类颜色评估提出了质疑。 关于鸟类颜色的假设在历史上仅基于人类的视觉能力，不包括对紫外线（UV）波长的敏感性。 然而，现在已知鸟类对紫外线具有视觉敏感性，行为证据表明，操纵紫外线水平可以影响社会互动。 此外，紫外线羽毛反射率在鸟类中普遍存在，人类无法区分羽毛之间的颜色差异。 利用新技术，可以评估羽毛颜色根据视觉能力的鸟类，这项建议的目的是回答以下问题：颜色差异存在于男性和女性之间的同一物种，以前被认为是相同的？这项研究的结果可能对配偶选择，羽毛进化和鸟类行为的研究产生深远的影响。 这项研究不仅将极大地影响未来的鸟类研究，但更广泛的影响包括：1）本科生的研究机会，2）本科生教育练习的发展，3）教育K-12教师，和4）通过贝尔自然历史博物馆的公众宣传。