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Colour pattern variation forms local background matching camouflage in a leaf-mimicking toad.

James B Barnett1,2,3, Constantine Michalis1, Nicholas E Scott-Samuel4

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|August 31, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Camouflage in variable environments is challenging. This study on Rhinella margaritifera toads reveals specialized camouflage, where individuals match local leaf litter, highlighting habitat heterogeneity

Keywords:
background matchingcamouflagecrypsishabitat heterogeneitymasqueradepolymorphism

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Natural environments present complex backgrounds, challenging camouflage.
  • Intraspecific phenotypic variation can evolve for concealment in variable habitats.
  • Variation may be generalized (multiple patterns) or specialized (single-pattern optimization).

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of phenotypic variation in camouflage for the Neotropical toad Rhinella margaritifera.
  • Determine if camouflage is generalized or specialized in a variable population.
  • Assess the effectiveness of camouflage against diverse natural backgrounds.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized visual modeling to analyze camouflage effectiveness.
  • Employed a computer-based detection task to simulate predator-prey interactions.
  • Examined phenotypic variation within a Rhinella margaritifera population.

Main Results:

  • Phenotypic variation was not divided into discrete color morphs.
  • All toads exhibited effective camouflage against the forest floor background.
  • Toads closely matched leaf litter, suggesting masquerade as dead leaves.
  • Individual toads showed specialization towards their local surroundings.

Conclusions:

  • Background matching is crucial for this masquerading species.
  • Habitat heterogeneity influences the evolution of camouflage and phenotypic variation.
  • Specialized camouflage strategies are favored in complex environments.