Saxifraga - Rockfoil in polarized UV light

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Here a white Saxifraga flowers), which shows the predicted effect my friend told me about: That bees have around their eyes sensors able to detect polarized light and there woud be flowers using that:

Visible light - sunlight:

Reflected polarized UV, only sunlight:

Reflected polarized UV, using a 365nm UV LED:

 

[Asher Kelman]

The UV suggest evolved function!

I fonder whether Owls or Eagles have that too but then mice would evolve to be black at night!

Asher

 

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Well some migratory birds have polarization vision, but for orientation only.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Well some migratory birds have polarization vision, but for orientation only.

The flowers and the bees have reinforcing mutual beneficial selection drive for UV polarized light signals to increase chances of bee finding the nectar.

The mous and raptor have diametrically opposite directions of selection.

Nothing the mouse can do stops the owl seeing in the dark, unless it could do night time chameleon like camouflage!

Asher

 

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Very true!