The giant panda is cryptic.

Abstract excerpt

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an iconic mammal, but the function of its black-and-white coloration is mysterious. Using photographs of giant pandas taken in the wild and state-of-the-art image analysis, we confirm the counterintuitive hypothesis that their coloration provides camouflage in their natural environment. The black fur blends into dark shades and tree trunks, whereas white fur matches...

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Biological Evolution
• Share to Mammals
• Share to Phenotype