The Behavioral Significance of Color

This title, originally published in 1979, draws together widely scattered research into the coloration of animals; formulates predictive hypotheses to account for color; documents the accuracy of many of these hypotheses; and suggests directions for future research.

Preface. Contributing Authors. Introduction Edward H. Burtt, Jr. Part 1: Physical Principles 1. Physics of Light: An Introduction for Light-Minded Ethologists B. Dennis Sustare Emissivity, a Little-Explored Variable: Discussion C. Richard Tracy Part 2: Physiological Functions of Animal Coloration 2. The Influence of Color on Behavioral Thermoregulation and Hydroregulation David M. Hoppe Further Thoughts on Anuran Thermoregulation: Discussion C. Richard Tracy Maximization of Reproduction: Discussion William J. Hamilton III Audience Questions: Discussion 3. Tips on Wings and Other Things Edward H. Burtt, Jr. The Evolutiono-Engineering Approach: Discussion C. Richard Tracy Where is the Evidence for Ultra-Violet Damage: Discussion William J. Hamilton III Audience Questions: Discussion Part 3: Photoreception 4. Extraretinal Photoreception: Words of Caution: Discussion C. Richard Tracy 5. Mechanisms of Color Vision: An Ethologist's Primer Samuel H. Gruber 6. Visual Discriminations Encountered in Food Foraging by a Neotropical Primate: Implications for the Evolution of Color Vision D. Max Snodderly Comments on Coevolution: Discussion C. Richard Tracy Are Selection Pressures Different? Discussion William J. Hamilton III Audience Questions: Discussion Part 4: Coloration for Communication 7. Environmental Light and Conspicuous Colors Jack P. Hailman Audience Questions: Discussion 8. Optical Signals and Interspecific Communication Jeffrey R. Baylis 9. The Use of Color in Intraspecific Communication William J. Rowland Visual Functions of Color: The Predictive Approach: Discussion C. Richard Tracy Audience Questions: Discussion 10. Conclusion Edward H. Burtt, Jr. Index