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The Journal of Experimental Biology 204, 2491-2498 (2001)
© 2001 The Company of Biologists Limited

Review

Avian ultraviolet vision and frequency-dependent seed preferences

Stuart C. Church^*, Annabel S. L. Merrison and Toby M. M. Chamberlain

Ecology of Vision Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK

*Author for correspondence (e-mail: s.c.church{at}bristol.ac.uk)

Accepted April 19, 2001

It is well established that ultraviolet sensitivity plays an important role in the visually guided behaviour of birds. From a foraging perspective, evidence now exists that ultraviolet wavelengths are used by birds when foraging for insects, berries, seeds and mammals. Here, we present the results of two laboratory experiments that test the effect of removing (i) ultraviolet wavelengths and (ii) wavebands in the human-visible region on the frequency-dependent seed preferences of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Although the seeds and backgrounds used in our experiments reflected mainly at long wavelengths, we found that removal of ultraviolet wavelengths significantly changed the strength and direction of frequency dependence compared with full-spectrum illumination. We also found that the removal of ultraviolet wavelengths (300–400nm) did not affect the strength of frequency dependence compared with the removal of short wavelengths (approximately 400–500nm), medium wavelengths (approximately 500–600nm) or long wavelengths (approximately 600–700nm). Since frequency-dependent selection has direct consequences for the stability of prey populations and the spectral quality of ambient light is known to vary considerably with climate, time of day and local habitat geometry, our results suggest that ultraviolet wavelengths might play an important role in the dynamics of plant populations. However, we urge caution about overestimating the importance of ultraviolet wavelengths compared with wavelengths in the human-visible spectrum.

Key words: zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, ultraviolet, colour vision, seed preference, foraging, frequency-dependent selection.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Hunt, I. C. Cuthill, A. T. D. Bennett, S. C. Church, and J. C. Partridge Is the ultraviolet waveband a special communication channel in avian mate choice? J. Exp. Biol., March 9, 2002; 204(14): 2499 - 2507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Maddocks, S. C. Church, and I. C. Cuthill The effects of the light environment on prey choice by zebra finches J. Exp. Biol., March 9, 2002; 204(14): 2509 - 2515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]