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Birds, berries and UV

A note on some consequences of UV vision in birds

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Abstract

The problem of UV vision in vertebrates is briefly discussed in its historical context. For example, UV vision has been demonstrated in some birds by several authors. Hence the reflectances of plumage, petals of bird-pollinated flowers and of berries in the near UV may play an important rôle within the visual environment of birds. Some data obtained by means of UV photography are presented, and it is shown, that the waxlayer of glaucous fruits is highly reflective in the UV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie der Universität, D-8400, Regensburg

    Dietrich Burkhardt

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  1. Dietrich Burkhardt
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Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. H. Autrum zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Burkhardt, D. Birds, berries and UV. Naturwissenschaften 69, 153–157 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364887

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364887

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