Characterization of color vision of the deer and application to agricultural damage control

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 41050:Environmental agriculture-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture
• Principal Investigator: Okubo Michiko 東京農業大学, 生物産業学部, 助教 (80761254)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 色覚 / 色識別 / ニホンジカ / 弁別学習 / 鳥獣害対策 / エゾシカ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study identified color combinations that are easily discriminated for the deer. The color combinations were similar to, but did not perfectly match, the color vision characteristics of humans with protanopia. One deer was unable to discriminate colors in the twilight trials compared to the light trials.
In addition, repeated learning suggested that the deer's color discrimination ability improved.
However, color visibility was not linked to basic behaviors such as foraging or drinking. The color itself does not seem to be effective in attracting deer.

Free Research Field

動物生理・行動

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

全国的に野生鳥獣による農作物被害が深刻化しており、その対策の1つとして有彩色の光や赤外線を利用したシカの忌避装置が利用されている。本研究結果はシカにとって視認性の良い色の組合わせを明らかにした。シカの色覚特性を解明することによって、今後より有効な忌避対策の開発に貢献できる。