Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes
The scales of the African Viper Bitis arietans were tested for optical effects. Spectral intensity was recorded at incident angles over the visible spectrum for dark, pale, and ventral scale regions. The lowest spectral intensity recordings were associated with scales which have the greatest level o...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
EDP Sciences
2017-01-01
|
| Series: | EPJ Web of Conferences |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201713900005 |
| _version_ | 1818655220206403584 |
|---|---|
| author | Singh Ishan Alexander Graham |
| author_facet | Singh Ishan Alexander Graham |
| author_sort | Singh Ishan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The scales of the African Viper Bitis arietans were tested for optical effects. Spectral intensity was recorded at incident angles over the visible spectrum for dark, pale, and ventral scale regions. The lowest spectral intensity recordings were associated with scales which have the greatest level of micro-structuring. Our results indicate that scale appearance in B. arietans is a product of microstructure-mediated optical effects. The optical effect may play a role in improving the ecological performance of the snake in its natural environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T03:06:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-01b9044fb62d435cb28410a46fdf609a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2100-014X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T03:06:13Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EPJ Web of Conferences |
| spelling | doaj.art-01b9044fb62d435cb28410a46fdf609a2022-12-21T22:05:57ZengEDP SciencesEPJ Web of Conferences2100-014X2017-01-011390000510.1051/epjconf/201713900005epjconf_nanop2017_00005Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African SnakesSingh Ishan0Alexander Graham1School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, University of WitwatersrandSchool of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, University of WitwatersrandThe scales of the African Viper Bitis arietans were tested for optical effects. Spectral intensity was recorded at incident angles over the visible spectrum for dark, pale, and ventral scale regions. The lowest spectral intensity recordings were associated with scales which have the greatest level of micro-structuring. Our results indicate that scale appearance in B. arietans is a product of microstructure-mediated optical effects. The optical effect may play a role in improving the ecological performance of the snake in its natural environment.https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201713900005 |
| spellingShingle | Singh Ishan Alexander Graham Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes EPJ Web of Conferences |
| title | Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes |
| title_full | Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes |
| title_fullStr | Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes |
| title_short | Microstructure-mediated Optical Effects in Southern African Snakes |
| title_sort | microstructure mediated optical effects in southern african snakes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201713900005 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT singhishan microstructuremediatedopticaleffectsinsouthernafricansnakes AT alexandergraham microstructuremediatedopticaleffectsinsouthernafricansnakes |