Response of Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans) to UV-Reflecting and UV-Fluorescing Feeders.
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| Title: | Response of Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans) to UV-Reflecting and UV-Fluorescing Feeders. |
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| Authors: | Lisberg, Anneke E.1 (AUTHOR) lisberga@uww.edu, Bell, Erinn2 (AUTHOR), Pauers, Michael J.1 (AUTHOR), Katovich, Kerry R.1 (AUTHOR), Yavuzcetin, Ozgur3 (AUTHOR), Kapfer, Joshua M.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Northeastern Naturalist. 2025, Vol. 32 Issue 4, p562-572. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Biofluorescence, Ultraviolet radiation, Stimulus & response (Psychology), Applied ecology, Visual perception, Squirrels, Bird feeders, Nocturnal animals |
| Abstract: | Like many other nocturnal mammals, Glaucomys volans (Southern Flying Squirrel) pelage is biofluorescent. Although comparative studies suggest that mammalian fluorescing compounds occur broadly and fluorescence may be incidental, it is not yet known whether biofluorescence impacts nocturnal mammal ecology. To determine whether fluorescence increases visibility and is capable of altering behavioral responses, we compared responses of ∼20 Southern Flying Squirrels to unpainted feeders vs. feeders with ultraviolet (UV) reflectance and UV fluorescence at wavelengths similar to those re-emitted by their pelage. Squirrels preferentially used UV reflecting and fluorescent feeders over unpainted controls in a Y-shaped choice test feeder. This result supports the hypothesis that fluorescence increases general visibility and visual contrast against a nocturnal background and suggests that biofluorescence may similarly aid conspecific visibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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