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Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
Australian Journal of Zoology

Australian Journal of Zoology

Volume 71 Number 2 2023

ZO23021Does the photoluminescence of rat fur influence interactions in the field?

Linda M. Reinhold 0000-0002-1168-9160, David T. Wilson 0000-0001-5047-0711 and Tasmin L. Rymer 0000-0002-9963-6345

A photoluminescent real-fur rat model glows bright blue in the light of an ultraviolet torch.

A visual function for photoluminescent fur has recently been hypothesised. We tested pairs of real-fur rat models in natural lighting, and found that nocturnal vertebrates did not choose models with naturally photoluminescent fur over models with the photoluminescence extinguished. Moonlight does not seem to trigger the photoluminescence of rat fur to a level where vertebrate animals respond to it, our results therefore not supporting a basis for visual function in nocturnal mammals. Photograph by Linda Reinhold.

Committee on Publication Ethics

AJZ Award winner

Tyler Lepan has been awarded the AJZ Best Student Paper Award for 2022.

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