Aposematism

Aposematism, sometimes called warning coloration referred to in behavioral biology, the distinct coloration of animals, with the potential predators not only presence but also inedible and / or defensive capability is signaled. Aposematism is thus the opposite of camouflage.

Aposematistisch colored animals are either fortified because they have poisonous spines or have other active defenses or they taste unpleasant, are inedible or even poisonous. In most cases a single meeting is sufficient to allow potential predators develop a lifelong aversion to aposematistisch colored animals. Particularly when caterpillars are found next to well-camouflaged caterpillars also those, such as the caterpillar of alder moth that signal their unpalatability a distinct coloration. Other examples include the scorpion fish, the puffer fish, moray eels, poison dart frogs and even some domestic amphibians such as salamanders and toads.

Since predators usually the opposite aversion must develop aposematistisch colored species, individuals of such species are injured or even eaten again and again. They serve as a teaching model of feeding the enemy. These costs, however, are the conspicuous coloration spread over all individuals in a population. The evolutionary development of aposematism, however, is still controversial. A warning color, for the first time occurs due to a mutation in an individual, as compared to individuals is increasing its disguised predation. One explanation is that the first inedible or Wehrhaftigkeit forms and develop only at higher population densities warning colorations. Some edible per se and not fortified species form according to the characteristics aposematischer ways to deter potential enemies. This strategy is called mimicry.

Puffers

Morays

Poison dart frog

Fire Salamander

Toads

Larva of alder moth

• Communication (biology)