Dean of the College and Biology Program Present
Avian Vision and Adaptive Coloration: Inside the Sensory World of Birds
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Reem-Kayden Center Laszlo Z. Bito '60 Auditorium
Dr. Mary Caswell Stoddard
Harvard University
Harvard University
Birds are endowed with a sophisticated visual system that allows them to experience the world in ways humans cannot. How does a bird's visual experience influence its behavior and evolution? I use a multidisciplinary approach to investigate avian coloration. From a mechanistic perspective, I am interested in understanding how sensory systems work and how colors are produced. From a functional perspective, I am fascinated by the diversity of colorful signals and the adaptive advantages they convey. In this talk, I show how taking a "bird's-eye view" reveals surprising insights into the sensory world of birds, using examples from plumage evolution, egg mimicry and camouflage.
For more information, call 845-752-2331, or e-mail [email protected].
Location: Reem-Kayden Center Laszlo Z. Bito '60 Auditorium