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Interactions between color and gloss in iridescent camouflage

Author

Listed:
  • Dylan H N Thomas
  • Karin Kjernsmo
  • Nicholas E Scott-Samuel
  • Heather M Whitney
  • Innes C Cuthill

Abstract

Iridescence is a taxonomically widespread form of structural coloration that produces often intense hues that change with the angle of viewing. Its role as a signal has been investigated in multiple species, but recently, and counter-intuitively, it has been shown that it can function as camouflage. However, the property of iridescence that reduces detectability is, as yet, unclear. As viewing angle changes, iridescent objects change not only in hue but also in intensity, and many iridescent animals are also shiny or glossy; these “specular reflections,” both from the target and background, have been implicated in crypsis. Here, we present a field experiment with natural avian predators that separate the relative contributions of color and gloss to the “survival” of iridescent and non-iridescent beetle-like targets. Consistent with previous research, we found that iridescent coloration, and high gloss of the leaves on which targets were placed, enhance survival. However, glossy targets survived less well than matt. We interpret the results in terms of signal-to-noise ratio: specular reflections from the background reduce detectability by increasing visual noise. While a specular reflection from the target attracts attention, a changeable color reduces the signal because, we suggest, normally, the color of an object is a stable feature for detection and identification.

Suggested Citation

  • Dylan H N Thomas & Karin Kjernsmo & Nicholas E Scott-Samuel & Heather M Whitney & Innes C Cuthill, 2023. "Interactions between color and gloss in iridescent camouflage," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 34(5), pages 751-758.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:34:y:2023:i:5:p:751-758.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/arad050
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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.
    2. Leslie Ng & Laura Ospina-Rozo & Jair E Garcia & Adrian G Dyer & Devi Stuart-Fox, 2022. "Iridescence untwined: honey bees can separate hue variations in space and time," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 33(4), pages 884-891.
    3. Darrell J. Kemp, 2008. "Female mating biases for bright ultraviolet iridescence in the butterfly Eurema hecabe (Pieridae)," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 19(1), pages 1-8.
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