characterization of underwater light regimes and target imaging in Lake Malawi

视觉在交配中起着至关重要的作用，雌性在竞争中选择，显示其物种的雄性，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性和用作关键显示属性的光学信号的共同进化，以及择偶发生的视觉环境。在这里，我们将研究光照环境对性选择的影响，特别是雌性非洲慈鲷的配偶选择，通过对自然环境光照条件的密集采样和对慈鲷交配行为的同时评估。（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，水下光环境的偏振特性和时空变化。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。该团队，包括我自己，苏珊娜·格雷博士（博士后研究员）和Shai Sabbah博士（博士）。学生）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将是两名团队成员使用SCUBA，使他们能够直接在鱼类繁殖的地方进行测量。在深度时，潜水员将使用更灵敏的分光辐射计进行光线测量，并使用高清水下视频评估视觉行为。

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.