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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Species-specific differences in relative eye size are related to patterns of edge avoidance in an Amazonian rainforest bird community

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Author(s):
Martinez-Ortega, Cristina [1] ; Santos, Eduardo S. A. [2] ; Gil, Diego [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] CSIC, Museo Nacl Ciencias Nat, Dept Ecol Evolut, E-28006 Madrid - Spain
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION; v. 4, n. 19, p. 3736-3745, OCT 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 6
Abstract

Eye size shows a large degree of variation among species, even after correcting for body size. In birds, relatively larger eyes have been linked to predation risk, capture of mobile prey, and nocturnal habits. Relatively larger eyes enhance visual acuity and also allow birds to forage and communicate in low-light situations. Complex habitats such as tropical rain forests provide a mosaic of diverse lighting conditions, including differences among forest strata and at different distances from the forest edge. We examined in an Amazonian forest bird community whether microhabitat occupancy (defined by edge avoidance and forest stratum) was a predictor of relative eye size. We found that relative eye size increased with edge avoidance, but did not differ according to forest stratum. Nevertheless, the relationship between edge avoidance and relative eye size showed a nonsignificant positive trend for species that inhabit lower forest strata. Our analysis shows that birds that avoid forest edges have larger eyes than those living in lighter parts. We expect that this adaptation may allow birds to increase their active daily period in dim areas of the forest. The pattern that we found raises the question of what factors may limit the evolution of large eyes. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/20468-4 - Neotropical dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata): a study system for the macro-ecology of sexual selection
Grantee:Eduardo da Silva Alves dos Santos
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral