Animal Camouflage: Mechanisms and Function

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511852053

In the last decade, research on the previously dormant field of camouflage has advanced rapidly, with numerous studies challenging traditional concepts, investigating previously untested theories and incorporating a greater appreciation of the visual and cognitive systems of the observer. Using studies of both real animals and artificial systems, this book synthesises the current state of play in camouflage research and understanding. It introduces the different types of camouflage and how they work, including background matching, disruptive coloration and obliterative shading. It also demonstrates the methodologies used to study them and discusses how camouflage relates to other subjects, particularly with regard to what it can tell us about visual perception. The mixture of primary research and reviews shows students and researchers where the field currently stands and where exciting and important problems remain to be solved, illustrating how the study of camouflage is likely to progress in the future.

'… the broad overview on the functions and mechanisms of camouflage in various communication systems makes reading this book very enjoyable.'

H. Martin Schaefer Source: Basic and Applied Ecology

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-v
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Contents
pp vi-viii
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Contributors
pp ix-xii
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1 - Animal camouflage
pp 1-16
Function and mechanisms
- By Martin Stevens, University of Cambridge, Sami Merilaita, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
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2 - Crypsis through background matching
pp 17-33
- By Sami Merilaita, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, Martin Stevens, University of Cambridge
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3 - The concealment of body parts through coincident disruptive coloration
pp 34-52
- By Innes C. Cuthill, University of Bristol, Aron Székely, University of Oxford
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4 - The history, theory and evidence for a cryptic function of countershading
pp 53-72
- By Hannah M. Rowland, The University of Liverpool
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5 - Camouflage-breaking mathematical operators and countershading
pp 73-86
- By Ariel Tankus, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, Yehezkel Yeshurun, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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6 - Nature's artistry
pp 87-100
Abbott H. Thayer's assertions about camouflage in art, war and nature
- By Roy R. Behrens, University of Northern Iowa
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7 - Camouflage behaviour and body orientation on backgrounds containing directional patterns
pp 101-117
- By Richard J. Webster, Carleton University,Ontario, Canada, Alison Callahan, Carleton University,Ontario, Canada, Jean-Guy J. Godin, Carleton University,Ontario, Canada, Thomas N. Sherratt, Carleton University,Ontario, Canada
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8 - Camouflage and visual perception
pp 118-144
- By Tom Troscianko, University of Bristol, Christopher P. Benton, University of Bristol, P. George Lovell, University of St Andrews, David J. Tolhurst, University of Cambridge, Zygmunt Pizlo, Purdue University
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9 - Rapid adaptive camouflage in cephalopods
pp 145-163
- By Roger T. Hanlon, Woods Hole, MA, USA, Chuan-Chin C. Chiao, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Lydia M. Mäthger, Woods Hole, MA, USA, Kendra C. Buresch, Woods Hole, MA, USA, Alexandra Barbosa, University of Porto, Portugal, Justine J. Allen, Brown University, Providence, USA, Liese Siemann, Woods Hole, MA, USA, Charles Chubb, University of California at Irvine, CA, USA
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10 - What can camouflage tell us about non-human visual perception? A case study of multiple cue use in cuttlefish (Sepia spp.)
pp 164-185
- By Sarah Zylinski, University of Sussex, Daniel Osorio, University of Sussex
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11 - Camouflage in marine fish
pp 186-211
- By Justin Marshall, The University of Queensland, Sönke Johnsen, Duke University
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12 - Camouflage in decorator crabs
pp 212-236
Integrating ecological, behavioural and evolutionary approaches
- By Kristin M. Hultgren, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA, John J. Stachowicz, University of California at Davis, CA, USA
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13 - Camouflage in colour-changing animals
pp 237-253
Trade-offs and constraints
- By Devi Stuart-Fox, University of Melbourne, Adnan Moussalli, Museum Victoria, Australia
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14 - The multiple disguises of spiders
pp 254-274
- By Marc Théry, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle,Brunoy, France, Teresita C. Insausti, Université de Tours, France, Jérémy Defrize, Université de Tours, France, Jérôme Casas, Université de Tours, France
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15 - Effects of animal camouflage on the evolution of live backgrounds
pp 275-297
- By Kevin R. Abbott, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada, Reuven Dukas, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
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16 - The functions of black-and-white coloration in mammals
pp 298-329
Review and synthesis
- By Tim Caro, University of California at Davis, CA, USA
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17 - Evidence for camouflage involving senses other than vision
pp 330-350
- By Graeme D. Ruxton, University of Glasgow
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Index
pp 351-357
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Plate section
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Animal Camouflage

Mechanisms and Function

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-v

Contents
pp vi-viii

Contributors
pp ix-xii

1 - Animal camouflage
pp 1-16

2 - Crypsis through background matching
pp 17-33

3 - The concealment of body parts through coincident disruptive coloration
pp 34-52

4 - The history, theory and evidence for a cryptic function of countershading
pp 53-72

5 - Camouflage-breaking mathematical operators and countershading
pp 73-86

6 - Nature's artistry
pp 87-100

7 - Camouflage behaviour and body orientation on backgrounds containing directional patterns
pp 101-117

8 - Camouflage and visual perception
pp 118-144

9 - Rapid adaptive camouflage in cephalopods
pp 145-163

10 - What can camouflage tell us about non-human visual perception? A case study of multiple cue use in cuttlefish (Sepia spp.)
pp 164-185

11 - Camouflage in marine fish
pp 186-211

12 - Camouflage in decorator crabs
pp 212-236

13 - Camouflage in colour-changing animals
pp 237-253

14 - The multiple disguises of spiders
pp 254-274

15 - Effects of animal camouflage on the evolution of live backgrounds
pp 275-297

16 - The functions of black-and-white coloration in mammals
pp 298-329

17 - Evidence for camouflage involving senses other than vision
pp 330-350

Index
pp 351-357

Plate section

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Animal Camouflage

Mechanisms and Function

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