Martin Stevens - Animal Camouflage. Mechanisms and Function [2011][A]

Book Description
Publication Date: August 15, 2011
In the last decade, research on the previously dormant field of camouflage has advanced rapidly, with numerous studies challenging traditional concepts, investigating previously untested theories and incorporating a greater appreciation of the visual and cognitive systems of the observer. Using studies of both real animals and artificial systems, this book synthesises the current state of play in camouflage research and understanding. It introduces the different types of camouflage and how they work, including background matching, disruptive coloration and obliterative shading. It also demonstrates the methodologies used to study them and discusses how camouflage relates to other subjects, particularly with regard to what it can tell us about visual perception. The mixture of primary research and reviews shows students and researchers where the field currently stands and where exciting and important problems remain to be solved, illustrating how the study of camouflage is likely to progress in the future.

Review
"It is a very useful and often provocative overview on the wide range of phenomena that can be used for camouflage. In general, the broad overview on the functions and mechanisms of camouflage in various communication systems makes reading this book very enjoyable. A huge benefit of the book is that the limits of the current knowledge on various topics are clearly delineated. The identification of the current gaps in our knowledge as well as the various alternative hypotheses posed throughout the book allow students and researchers alike to identify suitable research topics... the entire book should be taken as a stimulus to uncover the many unknown and fascinating aspects of camouflage!"H. Martin Schaefer, Basic and Applied Ecology

Book Description II
Using studies of real animals and artificial systems, this book synthesises the current state of play in camouflage research and understanding. Primary research and up-to-date reviews introduce the different types of camouflage, demonstrate the methodologies used to study them and discuss the exciting problems that remain to be solved.

About the Authors
Martin Stevens is a BBSRC David Phillips Fellow based in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on sensory ecology and behaviour and has covered bird colour vision, computational models of colour and spatial vision, anti-predator markings, brood parasitism and cuckoos and sexual signals and vision in primates.
Sami Merilaita is an Academy of Finland Research Fellow in the Department of Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Finland. His research focuses on questions related to the evolution and function of animal colouration, especially with regard to prey concealment. He has also studied anti-predator signalling, factors influencing maintenance of colour polymorphism and sexual selection.