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Biological research in ultraviolet spectra: evolutionary and eto-ecological implications of UV reflectance in organisms
Pecháček, Pavel ; Kleisner, Karel (advisor) ; Hotová Svádová, Kateřina (referee)
Many species have surface patterns capable of reflecting ultraviolet light. The presence of UV reflecting markings on invertebrates (e.g. beetles, spiders, and butterflies) and many vertebrates has been proven by numerous studies. In my work, I lay a particular stress on Lepidoptera and, within the vertebrate taxon, on birds. The existence of UV reflecting surfaces on fish and reptiles and consequent questions are also mentioned. The aim of my work is to summarize all existing knowledge about UV reflectance, and to discuss its significance for subsequent research. My work also deals with the function of the UV textures, mainly in sexual selection, intra- and interspecies signaling and in foraging behaviour of the studied taxa. The last section touches those groups which do not reflect the ultraviolet light but are visually sensitive to it, e.g. certain kinds of zooplankton, amphibians and small mammals. The resulting summary shows a great significance of UV reflecting textures in various branches of biology and their importance in ecology and evolution of many species.
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