Birds figure out how to dodge butterflies, similar species: Study ANI | Updated: Mar 14, 2021 23:36 IST
Washington [US], March 14 (ANI): The garish shades of certain butterflies could promote their speed and agility, similar as a layer of radiant yellow paint on a games vehicle. Research led by the Florida Museum of Natural History shows birds can figure out how to perceive these obvious signals, dodging not just butterflies they have neglected to catch in the past but similar-looking species too.
The research provides some of the strongest evidence to date for the idea of evasive mimicry, a strategy in which animals protect themselves from predators by matching the colours or patterns of agile relatives. First proposed more than 60 years ago, the hypothesis has been a challenge to test.