characterization of underwater light regimes and target imaging in Lake Malawi

视觉在交配中起着关键作用，雌性在竞争中选择，展示其物种的雄性，同时避免与同域异种交配。这一过程在很大程度上依赖于视觉敏感度和用作关键显示属性的光信号(S)的共同进化，以及发生配偶选择的视觉环境。在这里，我们将通过对自然环境光照条件的密集采样和对溪流鱼交配行为的同步评估，来研究光环境对性别选择的影响，特别是雌性非洲细尾鱼的配偶选择。我们在马拉维湖的实地考察工作(2008年7月至9月)将测量特定物种的栖息地条件(即光谱辐照度、偏振特征以及水下光环境的时空变化)。同时评估交配行为对于指导环境测量和确保此类数据的生态相关性至关重要。这个团队，包括我、Suzanne Gray博士(博士后研究员)和Shai Sabbah博士(博士生)，将使用几种技术来量化环境参数和行为观察。这项研究的一个组成部分是团队中的两名成员使用水肺，允许他们直接在鱼类繁殖的地方进行测量。在水深时，潜水员将使用更灵敏的光谱辐射计进行光线测量，并使用高清晰度水下视频来评估视觉行为。

Vision plays a critical role in mating where females choose amongst competing, displaying males of their species, while avoiding mating with sympatric heterospecifics. This process relies heavily on the co-evolution of visual sensitivity and the optical signal(s) used as critical display attributes, and on the visual environment where mate choice takes place. Here we will examine the influence of the photic environment on sexual selection, especially mate choice by female African cichlids, via intensive sampling of the natural ambient lighting conditions and simultaneous assessment of the mating behaviour of cichlids.Our fieldwork in Lake Malawi (July - September 2008) will measure species-specific habitat conditions (i.e. spectral irradiance, polarization characteristics and temporal and spatial variation of the underwater light environment. Simultaneous assessment of mating behaviour will be essential to guide the environmental measurements and ensure ecological relevance of such data. The team, including myself, Dr. Suzanne Gray (Postdoctoral Fellow) and Shai Sabbah (Ph.D. student) will employ several techniques for quantifying environmental parameters and behavioural observations. An integral part of this research will be the use of SCUBA by two members of the team, allowing them to make measurements directly where the fish are breeding. While at depth the divers will use a more sensitive spectroradiometer to make light measurements and high definition underwater video to assess visual behaviour.