Figure 4

Habitat irradiance and reflectance spectra of objects of potential importance to the visual ecology of lungfish. (A) Downwelling spectral irradiance at increasing depths in a typical lungfish habitat, the Mary River, Queensland, Australia. Note the rapid attenuation of ultraviolet wavelengths with increasing depth compared to longer wavelengths. (B) Reflectance spectra of lungfish body colours compared to sandy riverbed substrate against which they might be viewed. (C) Reflectance spectra of typical macrophytes found in a typical lungfish habitat, some of which (e.g. Vallisneria spiralis) are eaten or used as spawning sites.