Editing Camouflage (section)

=== Ecology ===

While camouflage can increase an organism's fitness, it has genetic and energetic costs. There is a trade-off between detectability and mobility. Species camouflaged to fit a specific [[Habitat#Microhabitat types|microhabitat]] are less likely to be detected when in that microhabitat, but must spend energy to reach, and sometimes to remain in, such areas. Outside the microhabitat, the organism has a higher chance of detection. Generalized camouflage allows species to avoid predation over a wide range of habitat backgrounds, but is less effective. The development of generalized or specialized camouflage strategies is highly dependent on the biotic and abiotic composition of the surrounding environment.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ruxton |first1=Graeme D. |author-link=Graeme Ruxton |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199688678.001.0001/oso-9780199688678-chapter-2 |title=Background matching |last2=Allen |first2=William L. |last3=Sherratt |first3=Thomas N. |last4=Speed |first4=Michael P. |date=2018 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |volume=1 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780199688678.003.0002 |isbn=978-0-19-968867-8 }}</ref>

There are many examples of the tradeoffs between specific and general cryptic patterning. ''[[Phestilla]] melanocrachia'', a species of nudibranch that feeds on [[Scleractinia|stony coral]], utilizes specific cryptic patterning in reef ecosystems. The nudibranch syphons pigments from the consumed coral into the epidermis, adopting the same shade as the consumed coral. This allows the nudibranch to change colour (mostly between black and orange) depending on the coral system that it inhabits. However, ''P. melanocrachia'' can only feed and lay eggs on the branches of host-coral, ''[[Platygyra]] carnosa'', which limits the geographical range and efficacy in nudibranch nutritional crypsis. Furthermore, the nudibranch colour change is not immediate, and switching between coral hosts when in search for new food or shelter can be costly.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wong |first1=Kwan Ting |last2=Ng |first2=Tsz Yan |last3=Tsang |first3=Ryan Ho Leung |last4=Ang |first4=Put |date=24 June 2017 |title=First observation of the nudibranch Tenellia feeding on the scleractinian coral Pavona decussata |journal=Coral Reefs |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=1121 |doi=10.1007/s00338-017-1603-8 |bibcode=2017CorRe..36.1121W |s2cid=33882835 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The costs associated with distractive or disruptive crypsis are more complex than the costs associated with background matching. Disruptive patterns distort the body outline, making it harder to precisely identify and locate.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ruxton |first1=Graeme D. |author-link=Graeme Ruxton |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199688678.001.0001/oso-9780199688678-chapter-3 |title=Disruptive camouflage |last2=Allen |first2=William L. |last3=Sherratt |first3=Thomas N. |last4=Speed |first4=Michael P. |date=20 September 2018 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |volume=1 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780199688678.003.0003|isbn=978-0-19-968867-8 }}</ref> However, disruptive patterns result in higher predation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stevens |first1=Martin |author1-link=Martin Stevens (biologist) |last2=Marshall |first2=Kate L. A. |last3=Troscianko |first3=Jolyon |last4=Finlay |first4=Sive |last5=Burnand |first5=Dan |last6=Chadwick |first6=Sarah L. |display-authors=3 |date=2013 |title=Revealed by Conspicuousness: Distractive Markings Reduce Camouflage |journal=Behavioral Ecology |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=213–222 |doi=10.1093/beheco/ars156 |issn=1465-7279|doi-access=free }}</ref> Disruptive patterns that specifically involve visible symmetry (such as in some butterflies) reduce survivability and increase predation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cuthill |first1=Innes C. |author-link=Innes Cuthill |last2=Hiby |first2=Elly |last3=Lloyd |first3=Emily |date=22 May 2006 |title=The Predation Costs of Symmetrical Cryptic Coloration |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=273 |issue=1591 |pages=1267–1271 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2005.3438 |issn=0962-8452 |pmc=1560277 |pmid=16720401}}</ref> Some researchers argue that because wing-shape and color pattern are genetically linked, it is genetically costly to develop asymmetric wing colorations that would enhance the efficacy of disruptive cryptic patterning. Symmetry does not carry a high survival cost for butterflies and moths that their predators views from above on a homogeneous background, such as the bark of a tree. On the other hand, natural selection drives species with variable backgrounds and habitats to move symmetrical patterns away from the centre of the wing and body, disrupting their predators' symmetry recognition.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wainwright |first1=J. Benito |last2=Scott-Samuel |first2=Nicholas E. |last3=Cuthill |first3=Innes C. |author3-link=Innes Cuthill |date=15 January 2020 |title=Overcoming the Detectability Costs of Symmetrical Coloration |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=287 |issue=1918 |pages=20192664 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2019.2664 |pmc=7003465 |pmid=31937221}}</ref>