Some animals have a very intense coloration that easily attracts attention. Others even have elaborate patterns of drawings that include all kinds of geometric shapes worthy of a cubist painting. The result is beautiful butterflies, metallic colored beetles or eccentric frogs.
The colors of these animals are too bright and reveal the wearer's position to predators. On the surface, we might say they don't have much of a survival advantage, but in reality, their color serves as their protection. You want to know why? In this article on our site, we talk about animal aposematism, its definition and the most curious examples.
Definition of animal aposematism
Aposematism is a mechanism by which an animal drives away its predators without much effort. It does this thanks to the possession of easily identifiable color patterns that warn about its toxicity, bad taste or defense systems.
As a result, the predator learns to recognize color patterns and associates them with dangerous or unpalatable prey. Therefore, he decides that it is better to go find food elsewhere.
Animal aposematism is a very effective form of communication. In the following article on our site, you will be able to learn about other types of Communication between animals.
Aposematism in the animal kingdom and evolution
Animal aposematism is the result of the evolution of the species that possess it and of its predators. Broadly speaking, prey that have patterns that are easily recognizable as dangerous are more likely to survive. As a result, these animals have more offspring and pass on their genes to the next generation, which will inherit their colors.
Similarly, predators that fail to recognize these patterns are displeased or even killed. Therefore, those who know how to recognize poisonous or dangerous prey are the ones who survive and can leave more offspring. In this way, aposematic predators and prey evolve together and “select” each other throughout evolution.
Aposematism and animal mimicry
When several species of animals have the same pattern of aposematic colors acquired independently, they are said to have undergone a mimicry process If both have defense systems, it is Müllerian mimicry; but if only one of them can defend itself, we speak of Batesian mimicry. In the latter case, we say that the copying species or "fraudster" presents a false aposematism.
If you want to know more and find examples, we will tell you about it in this other article on our site about Animal Mimicry - Definition, types and examples.
Aposematism in ladybugs
The San Antonio ladybirds, lady beetles or vaquitas are beetles of the Coccinellidae family. They often have red or yellow colors of vivid hues. These colors are indicative of their bad taste In this way, the predators that taste them decide never to taste an animal with the same appearance.
Thanks to animal aposematism, ladybugs can be considered one of the most beautiful insects in the world. The best known is Coccinella septempunctata.
Aposematism in monarch and viceroy butterflies
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has a beautiful orange, black and white coloration This insect feeds on plants of the genus Asclepias that have a toxic component. However, instead of being affected, the monarch butterfly accumulates these toxins in its body as a defense mechanism against its predators.
The viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) is also toxic and has an almost identical coloration to that of the monarch butterfly. Thanks to this, predators only have to recognize a color pattern and everyone wins.
Aposematism in wasps
Many types of wasps (different taxa of the order Hymenoptera) have concentric yellow and black rings running through their abdomen. Their predators interpret this coloration as a danger, so they don't dare to eat them. And they are right, since wasps have a very powerful stinger. A great example is the European hornet (Vespa crabro).
Aposematism in mantis shrimp
The mantis shrimp (Gonodactylus smithii) lives on Australia's coral reef. It is a crustacean with a privileged view and very bright colors. It is a toxic animal and also very dangerous.
It is due to its sharp pincers that it uses to hit its prey with great acceleration, so much so that it generates cavitation in the water and can kill other animalswithout hitting them directly.
For more information, you may be interested in this other article on The World's Most Dangerous Animals.
Animal aposematism in salamanders
Salamanders (order Urodelos) present skin toxins and, often, other toxic elements that they can spray from a distance. Many of them warn their predators thanks to animal aposematism. A good example of this are the colors yellow and black of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra).
Another example is the spectacled salamander (Salamandrina sp.), whose ventral part of its body is stained red, black and whiteRed is concentrated on the back, tail and limbs. When disturbed, they raise their heads and legs while curling their tails towards their heads. Thus, they show the color red and keep predators away.
If amphibians seem interesting to you, don't miss this other article on Where and how amphibians breathe.
Aposematism in animals: skunks
Mephitidae (family Mephitidae) are black and white mammals. These colors don't help with camouflage in the ecosystems skunks inhabit, but they are the indicators of a hidden defense: a foul odor secreted by their anal glands. This is one of the few examples of animal aposematism in mammals.
One of the most widespread skunks is Mephitis mephitis, known as the striped skunk.
