New camera system technology is set to transform the way ecologists and filmmakers understand and visualize the color perception of different animals in their natural habitats.
The research was led by Bela Vasas. University of SussexUK, and colleagues at Hanley Color Lab george mason universitywe.
how animals recognize colors
Traditionally, the unique visual worlds of different species have remained largely a mystery to humans.many animals such as bees bird, They perceive colors beyond human ability, such as ultraviolet light.
This difference stems from differences in the photoreceptors in their eyes. Understanding these color perceptions is critical to understanding animal communication and navigation.
Pseudocolor imaging offered a glimpse into this world, but was hampered by limitations such as a time-consuming process, specific lighting requirements, and an inability to capture motion.
To address these challenges, the research team developed a state-of-the-art camera and software system that can record and process video under natural light conditions.
Cameras see colors the same way animals do
as seen in this image, the system records in four color channels: blue, green, red, and UV. This data is then converted into “perceptual units”. This essentially translates the known photoreceptor data into a form that reproduces the animal’s vision.
Impressively, when compared to traditional spectrophotometry, this new system boasts more than 92% accuracy in predicting the perceived colors seen by animals.
This innovation opens unprecedented avenues for scientific research. This gives scientists the tools to explore the dynamic and colorful world as humans see it. different species.
Additionally, filmmakers are now able to more accurately and captivate the visuals of animals in their films.
The practicality of this system is further enhanced by its construction from off-the-shelf, off-the-shelf cameras housed in modular 3D-printed housings.
Additionally, the accompanying software is open source, encouraging further development and adaptation within the research community.
For example, in this image, the camera captures a mockingbird in a green forest, showing this beautiful natural landscape. as if looking through a bird’s eyes.
bridging the gap between humans and animals
Senior author Daniel Hanley eloquently describes the importance of this project.
“We have long been interested in how animals see the world. Modern techniques in sensory ecology now allow us to infer static scenes from an animal’s perspective. “However, understanding their perception of moving objects, which is essential for activities such as finding food and choosing a mate, has remained elusive,” Hanley explained.
“Our development introduces a tool for ecologists and filmmakers to accurately capture and display the color of movement as perceived by animals, and represents a major advance in our research on animal behavior and perception. ,” he concluded.
In summary, this is pioneering camera system This not only represents a technological advance, but also a new chapter in our understanding of the animal kingdom, bringing us closer to experiencing the world through their eyes.
New camera demonstrates how animals perceive color
Mimus Polyglottos in avian vision
In this video, two mockingbirds are seen interacting on a tree in bird pseudocolors. Specifically, in the video, the blue, green, and red quantum catches appear as blue, green, and red, respectively, and the UV quantum catches are overlaid in magenta.
Although the 80 mm lens is not designed to photograph distant objects, the system does a good job of capturing bird perspective images and is able to capture the “bird white” of feathers (which reflects from UV through the visible part of the spectrum). Show spots.
It also shows that the sky is predominantly UV colored (i.e. appears magenta) because Rayleigh scattering increases at shorter wavelengths. Therefore, while the sky appears blue to us, it will appear ultraviolet blue to many other living things.
A peacock feather shines iridescently through the eyes of four different animals.
This camera system can measure angle-dependent structural colors such as iridescence. This is illustrated through a video of a very iridescent peacock (Pavo Christatus)wing.
The colors in this video represent (A) peacocks Pavo Christatus pseudo color. The blue, green, and red quantum catches are represented as blue, green, and red, respectively, and the UVs are overlaid as magenta.
Interestingly, the iridescence is more pronounced in peacocks than in (B) humans (standard colors), (C) bees, or (D) dogs.
Caterpillar anti-predator display Apis vision.
This video shows a black swallowtail Swallowtail Polyxene Caterpillar showing Osmeteria. Scientists illustrate this video in pseudocolor of a bee, with UV, blue, and green quantum catches shown in blue, green, and red, respectively.
The yellow osmeteria (in humans) and the yellow spots on the caterpillar’s back both strongly reflect ultraviolet light, and when their color changes to false color in the bee (a strong reaction between the bee’s UV-sensitive and green-sensitive photoreceptors) ) appears magenta. are represented in blue and red respectively).
Many of the caterpillar’s predators are sensitive to ultraviolet light, so this color may be an effective tacit signal.
Learn more about animals, cameras, and color vision
As explained above, the way animals perceive color is an interesting journey into the world beyond human vision. Unlike humans, many animals perceive colors in a spectrum that we can hardly imagine.
Humans typically perceive three primary colors: red, green, and blue. However, this is only a small part of the color spectrum of the animal kingdom.
For example, bees and birds can see ultraviolet light that we cannot see. This ability plays an important role in their survival, helping them find food and navigate their environment.
beyond human recognition
Mantis shrimp are marine creatures with one of the most complex visual systems known.
There are 12 to 16 types of photoreceptor cells (humans have three) that can perceive polarized light and that can see color.
This exceptional vision helps them locate prey, predators, and mates in the complex underwater world.
Color vision in animals is not just about seeing different colors. It’s about survival. For example, some snakes use infrared vision to hunt warm-blooded prey in the dark.
Reindeer, on the other hand, use ultraviolet vision to spot predators in snowy, reflective landscapes. This is an important skill for survival in harsh climates.
humans gain insight
Evolution plays an important role in this diversity of color vision. Animals have developed unique color vision abilities based on environmental needs and survival challenges.
This evolutionary process has resulted in a rich tapestry of visual abilities across the animal kingdom.
Today, with advances in technology, humans are beginning to understand and even visualize how animals see the world.
This understanding not only deepens our appreciation of nature’s complexity, but also opens new avenues in ecology, behavioral research, and even technological design inspired by nature’s ingenuity.
In summary, the world of animal color vision is a vibrant and complex one, offering a kaleidoscopic perspective far beyond human capabilities.
As we continue to explore and understand these perspectives, we deepen our understanding of the natural world and the diverse organisms that inhabit it.
The entire study was published in the journal PLoS Biology.
For a video showing how cameras work in nature, see click here…
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