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Aquatic prey use countershading camouflage to match the visual background

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer L Kelley
  • Ian Taylor
  • Nathan S Hart
  • Julian C Partridge

Abstract

Lay SummaryAnimals often have darker coloration on their top surface than on their underside (“countershading”). In terrestrial prey, this patterning eliminates the body’s shadows to facilitate camouflage. In a freshwater fish that can change color, countershading provides optimal camouflage for different visual backgrounds and viewing angles rather than to reduce shadowing. Countershading camouflage may operate differently in terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer L Kelley & Ian Taylor & Nathan S Hart & Julian C Partridge, 2017. "Aquatic prey use countershading camouflage to match the visual background," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(5), pages 1314-1322.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:28:y:2017:i:5:p:1314-1322.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/arx093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Innes C. Cuthill & Martin Stevens & Jenna Sheppard & Tracey Maddocks & C. Alejandro Párraga & Tom S. Troscianko, 2005. "Disruptive coloration and background pattern matching," Nature, Nature, vol. 434(7029), pages 72-74, March.
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