Polarized Light in Animal Vision: Polarization Patterns in Nature - Rilegato

Horvath, Gabor; Varju, Dezso

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 3540404570 ISBN 13: 9783540404576

Casa editrice: Springer Verlag, 2003

Riassunto

The subject of this volume is two-fold. First, it gathers typical polarization patterns occurring in nature. Second, it surveys the polarization-sensitive ani­ mals, the physiological mechanisms and biological functions of polarization sensitivity as weIl as the polarization-guided behaviour in animals. The monograph is prepared for biologists, physicists and meteorologists, espe­ cially for experts of atmospheric optics and animal vision, who wish to under­ stand and reveal the message hidden in polarization patterns of the optical environment not directly accessible to the human visual system, but measur­ able by polarimetry and perceived by many animals. Our volume is an attempt to build a bridge between these two physical and biological flelds. In Part I we introduce the reader to the elements of imaging polarimetry. This technique can be efflciently used, e. g. in atmospheric optics, remote sens­ ing and biology. In Part 11 we deal with typical polarization patterns of the natural optical environment. Sunrise/sunset, clear skies, cloudy skies, moonshine and total solar eclipses all mean quite different illumination conditions, wh ich also affect the spatial distribution and strength of celestial polarization. We pre­ sent the polarization patterns of the sky and its unpolarized (neutral) points under sunlit, moonlit, clear, cloudy and eclipsed conditions as a function of solar elevation. The polarization pattern of a rainbow is also shown. That part of the spectrum is derived in which perception of skylight polarization is optimal under partly cloudy skies.

Su questo libro

Contenuti:

Part I: Imaging Polarimetry 1 Polarimetry: From Point-Source to Imaging Polarimeters Part II: Polarization Patterns in Nature 2 Space-Borne Measurement of Earthlight Polarization 3 Skylight Polarization 4 Principal Neutral Points of Atmospheric Polarization 5 24-Hour Change of the Polarization Pattern of the Summer Sky North of the Arctic Circle 6 Polarization Patterns of Cloudy Skies and Animal Orientation 7 Ground-Based Full-Sky Imaging Polarimetric Cloud Detection 8 Polarization Pattern of the Moonlit Clear Night Sky at Full Moon: Comparison of Moonlit and Sunlit Skies 9 Imaging Polarimetry of the Rainbow 10 Which Part of the Spectrum is Optimal for Perception of Skylight Polarization? 11 Polarization of the Sky and the Solar Corona During Total Solar Eclipses 12 Reflection-Polarization Pattern of the Flat Water Surface Measured by 180o Field-of-View Imaging Polarimetry 13 Polarization Pattern of a Fata Morgana: Why Aquatic Insects are not Attracted by Mirages? 14 Polarizational Characteristics of the Underwater World 15 Circularly Polarized Light in Nature Part III: Polarized Light in Animal Vision 16 From Polarization Sensitivity to Polarization Vision 17 Polarization Sensitivity in Terrestrial Insects 18 Polarization Sensitivity in Insects Associated with Water 19 Multiple-Choice Experiments on Dragonfly Polarotaxis: Dragonflies Find Crude Oil Visually More Attractive than Water 20 How can Dragonflies Discern Bright and Dark Waters from a Distance? The Degree of Linear Polarization of Reflected Light as a Possible Cue for Dragonfly Habitat Selection 21 Oil Reservoirs and Plastic Sheets as Polarizing Insect Traps 22 Why do Mayflies Lay Eggs on Dry Asphalt Roads? Water-Imitating Horizontally Polarized Light Reflected from Asphalt Attracts Ephemeroptera 23 Reflection-Polarizational Characteristics of Car-Bodies: Why are Water-Seeking Insects Attracted to the Bodywork of Cars? 24 Polarization Sensitivity in Spiders and Scorpions 25 Polarization Sensitivity in Crustaceans 26 Polarization Sensitivity and Polarization Patterns of the Body Surface of Cephalopods 27 Polarization-Sensitive Optomotor Reaction in Invertebrates 28 Polarization Sensitivity in Fishes 29 Polarization Sensitivity in Amphibians 30 Polarization Sensitivity in Reptiles 31 Polarization Sensitivity in Birds 32 Human Polarization Sensitivity 33 Polarization-Induced False Colours 34 A Common Methodological Error: Intensity Patterns Induced by Selective Reflection of Linearly Polarized Light from Black Surfaces Bibliography

Dalla quarta di copertina:

While the human eye can practically cope only with two aspects of light, brightness and colour, for many animals polarization is a further source of visual information.

This fascinating phenomenon of polarization sensitivity is comprehensively treated by Horvath and Varju. Starting with a short introduction into imaging polarimetry - an efficient technique for measuring light polarization - various polarization patterns occurring in nature are presented. Among them are the polarizational characteristics of water surfaces, mirages and the underwater light field as well as the celestial polarization patterns affected by the illumination conditions of sunrise, sunset, clear or cloudy skies, moonshine and total solar eclipses.

The major part of the book is dedicated to the question: How can animals perceive and use the natural and artificial polarization patterns? Following a detailed compendium of the physiological basis of polarization sensitivity, several case studies of animal behaviour determined or influenced by polarization are presented. It is shown how arial, terrestrial and aquatic animals use the celestial and underwater polarization for orientation, e. g. how polarized light serves honeybees or ants as a compass. Further, it is explained how man-made objects affecting the natural optical environment may disorientate animals. For instance, as in the case where oil or glass surfaces, asphalt roads, or plastic sheets used in agriculture can be more attractive for water-seeking polarotactic insects than the water surface, and where mayflies lay their eggs on dry asphalt roads or cars.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Springer Verlag
• Data di pubblicazione: 2003
• ISBN 10: 3540404570
• ISBN 13: 9783540404576
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 447