Abbott Thayer's Theory Of Natural Selection

Introduction Numerous species have evolved to exhibit some form of camouflage, which is an adaptation that allows species to blend in with certain aspects of their environment. This impressive ability has become a common and taxonomically widespread adaptation that numerous prey species have adopted to reduce the likelihood of being either detected or recognized by predators. The theory of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin suggests that "those individuals who possess superior physical, behavioral, or other attributes are more likely to survive than those which are not so well endowed." (CITE) Having this ability increases the chances of a species probability of survival by hiding from predators. By doing so it increases the species probability

Erasmus Darwin mentioned that the color found on many animals were to help concealed themselves from a prey or to avoid some type of danger in which they may be found in. Nineteenth century naturalist such as Wallace main focus was finding out information on how an animal can blend in with its environment or surrounding objects in which an organism was found in. By the end of the ninetieth century an individual named Abbott Thayer main focus was to find out how many different types of camouflage existed. He also went into extend of wanting to know why having the camouflage ability is important and how some organisms may use it as sexual signaling. Abbott Thayer work he has done in the past in greatly influential since he had outstanding ideas on camouflage species. In the last 60 years, research on camouflage organisms has not had a lot of progression. In early studies researcher’s main focus was observing the color rather than analyzing the perception the correct receiver as in the sensory and cognitive system are generally different between different

For example, the spots found on a leopard helps them blend into the environment of a forest in regards to the shadows found in the forest. Another example of this will be a bird that is capable of blending in with grass or bark. Having this particular camouflage has been a trait that has happened over time and is mostly found in mammals and birds. Not only is this ability found in mammals and birds but also in aquatic animals. Aquatic animals have a particular type coloration that makes them difficult to be seen in darker or lighter climates. Animals with natural camouflage colors inherited their colors from their parents, or occasionally with new colors from genetic mutations. New colors can be good or bad. Animals which are born with bad camouflage colors are easy to spot, so they don't tend to live long. For example, a white deer would be easier for a cougar to find and eat. On the other hand, a white cougar would be easier for a deer to avoid, so the cougar would starve. Animals that are born with better camouflage coloring can survive and pass their coloring to their