Complex visual signaling through various combinations of colors and patterns has been well documented in a number of diurnal reptiles. However, there are many nocturnal species with highly sensitive vision, being able to discriminate colors in night conditions, as was shown in geckos. Because of their sensitivity to chromatic signals, including UV (ultraviolet), they may have potential hidden features in their coloration, which may play role in intraspecific communication (e.g. mate choice) or interspecific signals (e.g. antipredatory function). We explored this hypothesis in nocturnal Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), a species using visual signals in both antipredation defense and courtship, having ontogenetic color change accompanied by a shift in behavior. We used UV photography and visual modelling in order to compare various aspects of their coloration (luminance, contrast, color proportions) between sexes, age groups and populations. We found that Leopard geckos have considerable UV reflectance in white patches on their tails (and on the head in juveniles). Though, no prominent differences were detected in their coloration between various groups. We hypothesize that the limitation of UV reflectance to the head and tail, which are both actively displayed during defense, especially in juveniles, might potentially boost the effect of antipredation signaling.

中文翻译：

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豹纹壁虎 (Eublepharis macularius) 的紫外线反射率和图案特性

通过各种颜色和图案组合的复杂视觉信号已在许多昼夜爬行动物中得到充分证明。然而，有许多夜间活动的物种具有高度敏感的视觉，能够在夜间条件下区分颜色，如壁虎所示。由于它们对包括 UV（紫外线）在内的彩色信号敏感，它们的颜色可能具有潜在的隐藏特征，这可能在种内交流（例如配偶选择）或种间信号（例如抗捕食功能）中发挥作用。我们在夜间活动的豹纹壁虎 (Eublepharis macularius) 中探索了这一假设，这是一种在反捕食防御和求爱中都使用视觉信号的物种，具有个体发育的颜色变化伴随着行为的转变。我们使用紫外线摄影和视觉建模来比较不同性别、年龄组和人群的着色（亮度、对比度、颜色比例）的各个方面。我们发现豹纹壁虎尾巴上的白色斑块（以及幼年的头部）具有相当大的紫外线反射率。但是，在不同组之间的颜色上没有检测到显着差异。我们假设紫外线反射对头部和尾部的限制，这两者在防御过程中都积极显示，特别是在幼鱼中，可能会增强反捕食信号的效果。不同组之间的着色没有检测到显着差异。我们假设紫外线反射对头部和尾部的限制，这两者在防御过程中都积极显示，特别是在幼鱼中，可能会增强反捕食信号的效果。不同组之间的着色没有检测到显着差异。我们假设紫外线反射对头部和尾部的限制，这两者在防御过程中都积极显示，特别是在幼鱼中，可能会增强反捕食信号的效果。