Three-dimensional camouflage: exploiting photons to conceal form

摘要: AbstractMany animals have a gradation of body color, termed “countershading,” where the areas that are typically exposed to more light darker. One hypothesis is this patterning enhances visual camouflage by making retinal image animal match background, fundamentally two-dimensional theory. More controversially, countershading may also obliterate cues three-dimensional (3D) shape delivered shading. Despite relying on distinct cognitive mechanisms, these two potential functions hitherto been amalgamated in literature. It has previously not possible validate either empirically, because there no general theory optimal allows quantitative predictions be made about many environmental parameters involved. Here we unpack logical distinction between using for background matching and it 3D shape. We use computational modeling determine coloration ca...