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Reflection of near-infrared light confers thermal protection in birds

Authors :
Iliana Medina
Elizabeth Newton
Michael R. Kearney
Raoul A. Mulder
Warren P. Porter
Devi Stuart-Fox
Source :
Nature Communications, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2018)
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
Nature Portfolio, 2018.

Abstract

More than half of solar radiation is at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Here, Medina et al. show that among Australian birds NIR reflectivity is higher in species from hot, arid environments and their biophysical modelling further shows that this can reduce water loss from evaporative cooling.

Subjects

Subjects :
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
9
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f9047f063fe045109d9de624a80a0bf7
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05898-8