3 ms·
Fluorescence is one way to defend against the harmful bond-breaking abilities of UV light. I suspect in many cases it is simply the biologically cheapest 'sunb
by londons_explore 3y ago
Fluorescence is one way to defend against the harmful bond-breaking abilities of UV light.
I suspect in many cases it is simply the biologically cheapest 'sunblock'.
- Brometheus 3y agoWhy is it on the belly then and not on the back? Countershading?
- tejtm 3y agoMany non mammals have vision that includes UV (birds, reptiles, insects ... ) if any of these hunt the mammal, fluorescence may be a way of not reflecting light the predator can see. Fluorescence must emit a lower frequency and intensity of light than could have been reflected
- meindnoch 3y agoMost mammals have no concern for UV damage, as they're covered in fur.
- londons_explore 3y agoWhen young, the fur often hasn't grown yet. Also, the fur itself may degrade in UV, making it weaker, fading, and losing waterproofing and other properties the animal relies on. And finally, the cost of fluorescence may be very small - meaning that it may have had some benefit at some point in the past, but there now no selective pressure to get rid of it.