HIDDEN SIGNALS
Some cryptic animals have conspicuous colour patches that are normally hidden from view but are displayed only when they are at risk of being attacked by a would-be predator. These hidden signals appear to serve several functions. In particular, they may startle a predator, causing it flee or at least think again. When used in escaping prey however, the conspicuous signals may misdirect predator attacks and even make it harder for the prey to be found once they have settled.
Dr. Tom Sherratt from the Department of Biology at Carleton University will survey the use of hidden signals in the animal kingdom and provide evidence that they protect the prey from predators in the ways that have been hypothesized. Tom will also show that large insect species tend to benefit from hidden signals much more than small ones and describe some experiments with a robotically controlled moth (“Robomoth”) to understand why this is so.
As we are still not able to meet in person, this Nature Talk will be on Zoom. To participate all you need to do is to click on this link or use the Meeting ID and Password.
Meeting ID: 850 8516 5770
Passcode: 655079
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020
Time: :6:45 p.m. for socializing & familiarization with Zoom,
Nature Sightings: 6:50 p.m. Ken Allison will discuss any sightings sent to him before noon on the 19th or you could add them to our iNaturalist project.
Place: A computer, tablet or phone near you
We look forward to seeing you online!
