Testing Thayer's Hypothesis: Can Camouflage Work By Distraction?

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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One of the oldest theories of animal camouflage predicts that apparently conspicuous markings enhance concealment.

Such 'distraction' marks may draw the viewer's attention away from salient features, such as the body outline, that would otherwise reveal the animal.

However, the theory has never been tested. By using camouflaged artificial prey presented to wild avian predators, we find that both circular and irregularly shaped markings increased predation compared to unmarked targets, with markings becoming more costly as their contrast against the prey increased.

Our experiments failed to support the hypothesis that distraction markings are an important aspect of animal camouflage.

Royal Society journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

Biology Letters