Cryptic Coloration

Crypsis

Chromatophore Video

Crypsis is a common behavioral-morphological adaption aimed at minimizing detection by predators or prey (Caro, 2005a,b; Ruxton et al., 2004). Cephalopod are considered masters of rapid adoptive camouflage. Using their multi-layered skin and neural-controlled chromatophores they can change color, pattern, texture, and reflectance in a fraction of a second (Barbosa et al., 2012; Hanlon et al., 2009; Marshall and Messenger, 1996; Mathger and Hanlol, 2007; Mathger et al., 2006, 2009; Messenger, 1974; Zylinski ad Johnsen, 2011). Commonly used patterns of the Cuttlefish include Uniform, Mottle, and Disruptive. Uniform and Mottle deal with blending into the background, while disruptive deals more with mimicry of an object or part of one. It has been suggested that cuttlefish may be colorblind; they can blend by mimicking shades of the color that they are able to see (monochromatic). The study that was performed, questioned the preference of which direction the cuttlefish enters areas where it will mimic and if the body changed pattern simultaneously or as it was entering area. The cuttlefish in their experiment entered area preferably in their left side, but there was no preference to moving front or rear first. Also saw that cuttlefish simultaneously change pattern on entire body and then decrease movement or mimic movement of surroundings.