Abstract
Color patterns on animals affect their fitness in terms of reproductive success and survivorship (Caro, 2005). The function of color patterns depends on the sensory perception of the viewer. Recent studies showed mammals have not only color vision but also ultraviolet vision (Kelber et al., 2003; Jacobs, 1992). However, most examinations of mammalian coloration were only among visible spectrum and there are no data on 365nm ultraviolet-induced ultraviolet reflectance and fluorescent patterns on rodents. I found that rodents had ultraviolet reflectance and fluorescent patterns. Ultraviolet signal was associated with elevation and fluorescent signal was associated with avian predators. Therefore, ultraviolet signal may be stimulated with “altitudinal effect” and fluorescent signal may be emerged by predator-prey interaction.