Spectrometry for field and laboratory studies of the evolutionary ecology of visual communication in birds

我的研究探索了鸟类视觉交流的生态学和进化。鸟类羽毛的颜色有很多功能，包括为筑巢的雌性提供伪装，以及在许多鸟类中作为统治地位、健康或状态的视觉信号。我目前的研究调查了鸟类羽毛颜色的控制机制，颜色变化对生存和繁殖成功的影响，以及外部因素，如微栖息地偏好，如何影响多种物种不同颜色的进化。鸟类的色觉在许多方面都优于人类。鸟类可以看到人类看不见的紫外线。这使得鸟类能够探测到我们不敏感的整个颜色范围，并感知到新的颜色组合。此外，特殊的视觉色素增强了鸟类识别颜色细微差异的能力。由于这些原因，客观量化颜色的测量工具对于任何鸟类视觉交流的研究都是必不可少的。NSERC要求的支持将资助三个全功能、独立的光谱系统，用于研究鸟类的羽毛颜色。一个系统将用于实验室的敏感应用，而另外两个系统将用于安大略和哥斯达黎加的实地站点。这些系统将使我和我的学生客观地量化羽毛的颜色，对我的研究计划的成功至关重要。这个设备将使我能够以前所未有的活力来研究视觉传播的生态和进化，使加拿大成为这个有前途的研究领域的前沿。我的发现将有助于我们了解进化生态学的基本原理，同时提高我们对加拿大鸣禽繁殖生物学的认识。这些数据对于确保保护和维持繁殖鸟类的生存种群至关重要。最后，这种设备将有助于培养大批具有广泛研究技能的学生，为他们从事科学事业做好准备。

My research explores the ecology and evolution of visual communication in birds. Avian plumage coloration serves many functions, including providing camouflage for nesting females, and operating as a visual signal of dominance, health, or condition among males of many bird species. My current research investigates the mechanisms controlling plumage coloration in birds, the consequences of variation in colour on survival and reproductive success, and how external factors, such as microhabitat preferences, influence the evolution of different colours across multiple species. Avian colour vision is superior to that of humans in numerous ways. Birds can see ultraviolet wavelengths, which are invisible to humans. This enables birds to detect an entire range of colours to which we are insensitive and to perceive novel combinations of colours. Moreover, specialized visual pigments enhance birds' abilities to detect minute differences in colour. For these reasons, measurement tools that objectively quantify colour are essential for any study of visual communication in birds. The support requested from NSERC will fund three fully-functional, self contained spectrometry systems for studying plumage coloration in birds. One system will be used for sensitive applications in the laboratory, while the other two systems will be used at field sites in Ontario and Costa Rica. These systems will allow my students and I to quantify plumage coloration objectively and are critical to the success of my research program. This equipment will enable me to investigate the ecology and evolution of visual communication with a previously unrealized level of vigor, bringing Canada to the leading edge of this promising field of research. My findings will contribute to our understanding of fundamental principles in evolutionary ecology while enhancing our knowledge of the breeding biology of Canadian songbirds. Such data are crucial to ensuring the protection and maintenance of viable populations of breeding birds. Finally, this equipment will contribute to the training of a large group of students with a broad array of research skills that will prepare them for scientific careers.