In nature, nanopores are often responsible for broadband light scattering phenomena. For example, some snakes develop white, reflecting ventral scales to avoid overheating caused by highly radiative soil and rocks. Female Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa caerulea) are covered with blue hairs on their head, thorax, and parts of the abdomen serving for intraspecific recognition. We report on the optical properties of nanopores, resulting in structural whiteness in snake ventral scales and vivid blue hues in Carpenter bees due to both pigmentary and structural color. In my presentation, I review our recent studies on natural broadband reflecting structures reflecting light due to nanopores.
Snakes optimize their body scales in terms of locomotion, thermoregulation, and conspicuousness for survival in their respective ecological niche. Here, we present our analysis of the scales of the Hungarian Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis). Micro-fibril structures with nano-scale steps are observed on the ventral scales. These structures are oriented from head to the tail direction. Interestingly, a ridge like reticulate structure is observed on the dorsal scales. Spectacle scales are mostly flat and have polygonal cracks on the surface. High optical transmittance is measured on the ventral and spectacle scales. However, much reduced transmission is recorded on the dark dorsal scales which can be attributed to the presence of melanin within the scales. The scales are water hydrophobic; however, the contact angles are not high enough to allow for self-cleaning properties.
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