The Behavioral Significance of Color

ISBN-13: 9781138574960 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 468 str.

Opis

Prior to publication the study of animal coloration was plagued by fanciful speculations, post hoc explanations and untestable hypotheses. This title, originally published in 1979, draws together widely scattered research into the coloration of animals; formulates predictive hypotheses to account for color; documents the accuracy of many of these hypotheses; and suggests directions for future research. The book grew out of a symposium, The Behavioral Significance of Color at the 1977 meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, and presents evidence concerning patterns of coloration and their influence on animal behaviour and interaction

Physical principles of radiation are discussed in Chapter 1, followed, in subsequent chapters, by an examination of the physiological functions of animal coloration (e.g. thermoregulation, hydroregulation, abrasion-resistance, extraretinal photoreception). Treatment of coloration that affects the animal’s visibility to other animals opens with a masterful overview of theories of color vision and its occurrence throughout the animal kingdom. Chapter 6 explores the role of color vision and fruit color in the selection of food by wild primates with comments on the coevolution of fruiting trees and their primate customers. Dr Jack P. Hailman addresses the elusive concept of conspicuousness. He summarizes a strategy for calculating conspicuous coloration based on measurements in natural habitats. Experiments, naturalistic observations and anecdotes of optical communication are exceedingly numerous. Chapters 8 and 9 review these data and suggest general principles of inter- and intraspecific optical communication. Each chapter is enhanced by the critical evaluations of Drs. C. Richard Tracy and W. J. Hamilton III. In closing, the editor discusses coloration as it affects an animal’s own vision (e.g., black eyelines to reduce glare).

Most significantly the book emphasizes the need for a balanced, scientifically rigorous approach to the question of evolution of animal coloration. It is an important source for anyone contemplating or currently involved in research in this field of investigation.

Spis treści

Preface.  Contributing Authors.  Introduction Edward H. Burtt, Jr.  Part 1: Physical Principles  1. Physics of Light: An Introduction for Light-Minded Ethologists B. Dennis Sustare  Emissivity, a Little-Explored Variable: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  Part 2: Physiological Functions of Animal Coloration  2. The Influence of Color on Behavioral Thermoregulation and Hydroregulation David M. Hoppe  Further Thoughts on Anuran Thermoregulation: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  Maximization of Reproduction: Discussion William J. Hamilton III  Audience Questions: Discussion  3. Tips on Wings and Other Things Edward H. Burtt, Jr.  The Evolutiono-Engineering Approach: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  Where is the Evidence for Ultra-Violet Damage: Discussion William J. Hamilton III  Audience Questions: Discussion  Part 3: Photoreception  4. Extraretinal Photoreception: Words of Caution: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  5. Mechanisms of Color Vision: An Ethologist’s Primer Samuel H. Gruber  6. Visual Discriminations Encountered in Food Foraging by a Neotropical Primate: Implications for the Evolution of Color Vision D. Max Snodderly  Comments on Coevolution: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  Are Selection Pressures Different? Discussion William J. Hamilton III  Audience Questions: Discussion  Part 4: Coloration for Communication  7. Environmental Light and Conspicuous Colors Jack P. Hailman  Audience Questions: Discussion  8. Optical Signals and Interspecific Communication Jeffrey R. Baylis  9. The Use of Color in Intraspecific Communication William J. Rowland  Visual Functions of Color: The Predictive Approach: Discussion C. Richard Tracy  Audience Questions: Discussion  10. Conclusion Edward H. Burtt, Jr.  Index

O autorze

Edward H. Burtt, Jr.