| Floral iridescence, produced by diffractive optics, acts as a cue for animal pollinators. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19119235 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Iridescence, the change in hue of a surface with varying observation angles, is used by insects, birds, fish, and reptiles for species recognition and mate selection. We identified iridescence in flowers of Hibiscus trionum and Tulipa species and demonstrated that iridescence is generated through diffraction gratings that might be widespread among flowering plants. Although iridescence might be expected to increase attractiveness, it might also compromise target identification because the object's appearance will vary depending on the viewer's perspective. We found that bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) learn to disentangle flower iridescence from color and correctly identify iridescent flowers despite their continuously changing appearance. This ability is retained in the absence of cues from polarized light or ultraviolet reflectance associated with diffraction gratings. |
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Authors:
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Heather M Whitney; Mathias Kolle; Piers Andrew; Lars Chittka; Ullrich Steiner; Beverley J Glover |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Science (New York, N.Y.) Volume: 323 ISSN: 1095-9203 ISO Abbreviation: Science Publication Date: 2009 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-01-02 Completed Date: 2009-01-21 Revised Date: 2009-08-28 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0404511 Medline TA: Science Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 130-3 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Bees / physiology* Color Color Perception Cues Flowers* / cytology Hibiscus* / cytology Optical Phenomena* Pigmentation* Pigments, Biological Plant Epidermis / cytology Pollination Spectrum Analysis Tulipa* / cytology |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Pigments, Biological |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Science. 2009 Aug 28;325(5944):1072; author reply 1072
[PMID:
19713509
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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