EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -This phenomenon, called “warning coloration” or “aposematism, ” is thought to be an instance of interspecific communication, whereby the bright pattern signals to the predator that the prey is noxious (for references see Schuler and Roper, 1992).

Detailed explanation-2: -Aposematic signals are primarily visual, using bright colours and high-contrast patterns such as stripes. Warning signals are honest indications of noxious prey, because conspicuousness evolves in tandem with noxiousness. Thus, the brighter and more conspicuous the organism, the more toxic it usually is.

Detailed explanation-3: -An analysis of a score of species that includes frogs and insects shows that colouration is an ‘honest’ signal of toxicity. The bright colours of animals such as poison dart frogs act as a warning signal, telling predators that the humble creatures pack a noxious punch.

Detailed explanation-4: -Bright colors and distinctive wing patterns can be an example of aposematism, also known as a warning coloration.

Detailed explanation-5: -According to the researchers, vividly colored lizards and birds typically use their coloring as a sexual signal for mates. In contrast, colorful amphibians and snakes generally wear them as a warning signal for predators.