Artificial light and sun compass orientation in the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda) |
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Authors: | A Ugolini B Tiribilli C Castellini |
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Institution: | (1) Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università di Firenze, and Centro SFET – CNR, Via Romana 17, I-50125 Florence, Italy, Fax: +39-55 22 25 65; e-mail: Ugolini_alb@dbag.unifi.it, IT;(2) Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy, IT |
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Abstract: | Experiments on compass orientation under artificial light were conducted with adult individuals of Talitrus saltator. The aim was to reproduce in the laboratory an orientation based on the sun compass corresponding to that recorded in conditions
of the true sun and sky. This was obtained by the creation within an opaque Plexiglas dome of a scenario that permitted variation
of the brightness of the artificial sky and sun. The results show that it is possible to obtain sun compass orientation corresponding
to the natural situation even in an artificial environment. It can be concluded that sandhoppers identify an artificial light
source as the sun if the artificial sky is also illuminated and if the intensities of the artificial sun and sky exceed certain
threshold values (1.13 and 10 μW cm−2, respectively). The results of other experiments under the natural blue sky with an artificial sun and with the real sun
attenuated are discussed.
Accepted: 23 May 1997 |
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Keywords: | Artificial light Vision Ο rientation Sun compass Sandhoppers |
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