Owls have 'nightshine' vision. A layer of cells in an owl's eyes cause them to be glossy or mirror-like and this allows them to capture all of the available light. Owls are able to see in detail where humans see only darkness.
Investigating the Genetic Structure of a Boreal Owl Population
Population isolation and gene flow.
Boreal owls are found in subalpine (mountain) forests, and they can become isolated from other mountain top populations. This separation can be caused by large areas of unfavourable habitat, and can result in the populations having different genetic makeups. Researchers from the University of Wyoming, U.S.A., are at work determining the genetic makeup of these owl populations. This information will help the researchers understand the connections between the different groups of owls found in the mountains, and also the size of their territorial ranges. This information is critical in order to understand how to conserve at-risk boreal owl populations and will also help to prevent the extinction of owls from isolated sites occurring.
GF Research
