PhD project: Creation of an open-access database of floral reflectance data, and using this database to answer questions about how pollinators perceive flowers.
I am interested in how bees and other pollinating insects perceive flowers and how flowers have evoloved to exploit these preferences and foraging behaviour. I am currently working on building a database of floral colours and reflectance data for many species of flowers from all over the world, which will eventually be available for researchers anywhere to use. I intend to use the information within the database to research trends in floral colour between and within habitats, and build up a picture of flowers through insect eyes.
Other research interests: All aspects of insect ecology, but with a particular interest in plant-pollinator interactions and insect vision.
Publications:
Zanne, A.E., Westoby, M., Falster, D.S., Ackerly, D.D., Loarie, S.R., Arnold, S.E.J. and Coomes, D.A.(2010). A new understanding of angiosperm wood structure. American Journal of Botany 97:207-215.
Arnold S.E.J., Le Comber S.C. & Chittka L. (2009) Flower colour phenology in European grassland and woodland habitats, through the eyes of pollinators. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 57:211-230.
Arnold S.E.J., Savolainen V. & Chittka L. (2009). Flower colours along an alpine altitude gradient, seen through the eyes of fly and bee pollinators. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 3:27–43. DOI 10.1007/s11829-009-9056-9.
Arnold S.E.J. , Savolainen V. & Chittka L. (2008) FReD: The floral reflectance spectra database. Nature Precedings
Research projects:
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