UVA and Ultraviolet Vision
Poison-Dart Frog & Ultraviolet Perch Selection - Findings: Perch selection changed when ultraviolet wavelengths were available compared with UV-filtered conditions. UV can therefore influence environmental choice independently of vitamin D3 synthesis.
Ultraviolet Radiation Influences Perch Selection by a Neotropical Poison-Dart Frog
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051364
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051364
Access: Free full text.
Snakes & Ultraviolet Coloration - Findings: UV reflectance was higher in juveniles than adults, arboreal species than terrestrial species, and nocturnal species than diurnal species. Ultraviolet reflectance may therefore remain biologically relevant in nocturnal snakes.
Ecological drivers of ultraviolet colour evolution in snakes
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49506-4
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49506-4
Access: Free full text.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biofluorescence
Amphibians & Biofluorescence - Findings: Representatives of salamanders, frogs, and caecilians produced visible fluorescence. In many species, blue excitation at approximately 440-460 nm produced stronger fluorescence than ultraviolet excitation.
Salamanders and other amphibians are aglow with biofluorescence
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59528-9
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59528-9
Access: Free full text.
Spiders & Fluorescence - Findings: Hemolymph fluorescence was documented in ten spider families and external fluorescence in 19 families. Its biological function remains uncertain, and fluorescence does not independently establish an ultraviolet-lighting requirement.
Spiders fluoresce variably across many taxa
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2007.0016
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0016
Access: Free full text.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low-Light Vision
Cockroach Vision at Extremely Low Light Levels - Findings: Cockroaches produced optomotor responses at 0.005 lux but not at 0.0005 lux. Estimated photon-related events in individual photoreceptors were no more than approximately 0.1 per second.
Cockroach optomotor responses below single photon level
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112425
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.112425
Access: Free full text.
