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Motion dazzle and camouflage as distinct anti-predator defenses

Overview of attention for article published in BMC Biology, November 2011
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Title
Motion dazzle and camouflage as distinct anti-predator defenses
Published in
BMC Biology, November 2011
DOI 10.1186/1741-7007-9-81
Pubmed ID
Authors

Martin Stevens, W Tom L Searle, Jenny E Seymour, Kate LA Marshall, Graeme D Ruxton

Abstract

Camouflage patterns that hinder detection and/or recognition by antagonists are widely studied in both human and animal contexts. Patterns of contrasting stripes that purportedly degrade an observer's ability to judge the speed and direction of moving prey ('motion dazzle') are, however, rarely investigated. This is despite motion dazzle having been fundamental to the appearance of warships in both world wars and often postulated as the selective agent leading to repeated patterns on many animals (such as zebra and many fish, snake, and invertebrate species). Such patterns often appear conspicuous, suggesting that protection while moving by motion dazzle might impair camouflage when stationary. However, the relationship between motion dazzle and camouflage is unclear because disruptive camouflage relies on high-contrast markings. In this study, we used a computer game with human subjects detecting and capturing either moving or stationary targets with different patterns, in order to provide the first empirical exploration of the interaction of these two protective coloration mechanisms.

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X Demographics

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Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 185 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United States 2 1%
Hungary 1 <1%
Switzerland 1 <1%
Australia 1 <1%
Italy 1 <1%
Costa Rica 1 <1%
Brazil 1 <1%
Unknown 177 96%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Bachelor 42 23%
Student > Ph. D. Student 37 20%
Student > Master 27 15%
Researcher 20 11%
Student > Postgraduate 10 5%
Other 25 14%
Unknown 24 13%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 96 52%
Psychology 8 4%
Environmental Science 8 4%
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 7 4%
Neuroscience 6 3%
Other 29 16%
Unknown 31 17%