We now recognize that many animals see the world differently to us, as suggested by data on the spectral sensitivity of their photoreceptors ( Kemp et al., 2015). The evolution of flower coloration has become a recurring research topic in biology, and color is often used as measurable trait for understanding different plant-pollinator interactions. Whilst the study of color in ecological and evolutionary contexts are currently mainly driven by purely physical aspects, i.e., treating color as a trait, it is potentially important to also consider the perceptual aspects of color vision to better understand how animals use this information to drive their behavior ( Bruce et al., 2003). Whilst modern color science separates the philosophical aspects of color theory from its physical nature, there still remains several ways to interpret color: either as a purely physical property of objects, as a subjective experience of the observer or, by acknowledging that the physical aspects of color drive the subjective experience of the observer ( Hatfield, 2003). Human fascination with colors presented by nature is old with formal writings on the topic dating back to Aristotle, one of the earliest naturalists, who pointed out that “ Whatever is visible is color and color is what lies upon what is in its own nature visible” ( Aristotle, 1970). However, due to the particularities and complex architecture of our own senses, the vast palette of color produced both by animals and plants will quickly catch our eyes and very likely drive our attention. Those walking through a forest in early spring cannot help to notice the burst of biological activity evidenced by the wide array of different sounds, aromas and movement. This new perspective provides an improved way to incorporate pollinator decision making into the complex field of plant-pollinator interactions. Results show that whilst an experienced insect observer can frequently make accurate discriminations between mimic and rewarding flowers, intraspecific signal variability leads to overlap in the perceived color, which will frequently confuse an inexperienced pollinator. Our approach involves the use of color discrimination functions rather than relying on discrimination thresholds, and the use of statistical distributions to model intraspecific color variations. Using recently developed psychophysics principles, we explore whether the color perception of an insect observer encountering variable model and mimic flower color signals can help explain why species with non-rewarding flowers can exist in nature. Here, we focus on a system where the rewardless orchid Eulophia zeyheriana mimics the floral color of Wahlenbergia cuspidata (Campanulaceae) to attract its pollinator species, a halictid bee. Mimicry of rewarding flowers by orchids is a fascinating system for studying the pollinator decision making process, as rewarding model flowering plants and mimics can be clearly characterized. Whilst studies often view plant-pollinator interactions from the plant's perspective, there is growing evidence from psychophysics studies that pollinators have their own complex decision making processes depending on their perception of color, viewing conditions and individual experience. Studying flower color evolution can be challenging as it may require several different areas of expertise, ranging from botany and ecology through to understanding color sensing of insects and thus how they perceive flower signals. 5Department of Botany, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.4Department of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.3Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Perth, WA, Australia.2Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.1Bio-Inspired Digital Sensing Laboratory (BIDS Lab), School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |