时差N小时:驯鹿的眼睛 Reindeer Eyes

Rudolph the reindeer is best known for his brightlycolored rednose.

鲁道夫驯鹿最大的特征就是红彤彤的鼻子。

For other reindeer, however, the most colorful thingabout them is actually their eyes.

然而，其他驯鹿身上最”出彩”的地方，则是他们的眼睛。

Researchers have found that depending on theseason, the eyes of Arctic reindeer change fromgoldto blue.

研究人员发现，随着季节的转变，北极地区驯鹿的眼睛会从金色变为蓝色。

Like many mammals, Arctic reindeer have a structure in the eye called the tapetum lucidum, TLforshort.

同许多哺乳动物一样，北极地区驯鹿的眼睛里有一个叫做反光膜的组织，简称TL。

It sits behind the retina and reflects light back to increase the sensitivity of night vision.

它位于视网膜后，其功能是反射光线，以增强眼睛夜间视物的敏感性。

TheTL is also responsible for reindeer eye color changes.

驯鹿的眼睛会变色就是因为反光膜。

During the Arctic summer, when it's always light outside, reindeer TL is gold—a color thatreflectsmore light back through the retina,

北极夏季会出现极昼现象，阳光无时无处不在，此时驯鹿眼中的反光膜呈金色，这种颜色可反射更多透过视网膜的光线，

better enabling reindeer to see in daylight.

使驯鹿在白昼时的视物性更好。

But when the Arctic winter sets in and darkness reigns, the TL turns blue.

但当北极的冬季来临，出现极夜现像，黑暗笼罩大地时，驯鹿眼中的反光膜会变成蓝色。

The result of this is lesslight reflecting back out through the retina, making it easier for theanimals to see predators in dimconditions.

此时，透过视网膜，反射出去的光会减少，对于动物来说，这样可以使他们在光线不佳的情况下，更容易看见猎物。

The color change may be caused by shifting pressure in reindeer eyes, which stems fromconstantpupil dilation.

驯鹿的眼睛会变色可能是驯鹿眼睛受到的压力发生改变所致，压力源自瞳孔不断放大。

When compressed, the TL reflects shorter wavelengths of blue light which are moreplentifulduring Arctic winters.

反光膜在受到压迫时会反射较短波长的蓝光，这种光在北极的冬天到处都是。