Lecture 7- Sensory Ecology 2

Question 1

Sensory Filtering

Answer 1

The process of receiving only certain stimuli among the many stimuli impinging

Question 2

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 2

generally divided into seven regions, in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency

Question 3

Optical Window

Answer 3

the optical portion of the EM spectrum that passes through the atmosphere to the ground.

Question 4

Photoreception

Answer 4

Vision

Question 5

Opsins

Answer 5

When struck by light and change shape, they change the permeability of photoreceptor neurons, and they generate action potentials.

Question 6

Cones

Answer 6

wide spectrum, at low light levels

Question 7

Rods

Answer 7

Most color reception

Question 8

Tapetum Lucidum

Answer 8

A retroreflector, It reflects visible light back through the retina, increasing the light available to the photoreceptors (although slightly blurring the image)

Question 9

THermoreception

Answer 9

Detection of temperature

Question 10

Thermorecepting pits

Answer 10

heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and nostril on either side of the head

Question 11

What’s special about Narrowed-leaved Arnica Nectar?

Answer 11

It presents a well-developed UV pattern that is visible to UV insects

Question 12

Can monarch butterflies discriminate color?

Answer 12

A study was done on Monarchs with a food reward related to a certain color of flower, and when introduced to a variety of colors, they still went back to that color of flower. So yes, monarchs can discriminate color.

Question 13

COmpared to humans how is a birds vision different

Answer 13

Birds have a higher proportion of cones to rods than human eyes, and cones are complex.

Question 14

What is unique about a birds vision

Answer 14

A bird’s inner-segment contains different colored(or clear) oil droplets beside the base of the outer-segment which filter the light before it reaches the visual pigment

Question 15

Do female pied flycatchers use UV-reflecting plumage to influence their mate choice?

Answer 15

A study was done that matched males based on body size, and plumage one was treated using UV-absorbing sunscreen. Both males were placed in an aviary with the female, and it was recorded the mate choice behavior. In conclusion, most females mated with the higher UV-reflection male, so female mate choice is reflected by the UV-reflection of the male plumage.

Question 16

How do reindeer perceive UV light?

Answer 16

Reindeers can see urine (predators and mates) and lichens (which are a major food source during the winter, lichens also absorb UV light which makes them appear black compared to the snow)

Question 17

How is a cats vision different than a humans?

Answer 17

A cat’s vision has a 44% greater sensitivity than human vision, under low light conditions.

Question 18

How are a pit vipers pits specialized?

Answer 18

The pits are sensitive to infrared radiation, creates the ability to find (Warm)prey at night, and can also determine the size of the prey

Question 19

Can both crotaline and non-crotaline snakes detect infrared radiation

Answer 19

A study was done that tested crotaline(Copper-head) and non-crotaline(puff adder) snakes. Each individual was placed in an arena with two balloons heated to different temperatures (20-25 and 32-35), and tongue flicks/strikes were recorded. It was found that Crotalines exhibited more flicks and strikes at the warm balloon, while non-crotaline snakes did not show any difference in their response