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cryptic coloration

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

cryptic coloration(crypsis) Coloration that makes animals difficult to distinguish against their background, so tending to reduce predation. The effect of cryptic coloration may be to cause the appearance of the animal to merge into its background (e.g. the absence of all colour in some pelagic fish larvae) or to break up the body outline (e.g. the spotted patterns of many bottom-dwelling flat fish). Both effects often occur in the same animal.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-crypticcoloration.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-crypticcoloration.html

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cryptic coloration

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

cryptic coloration (crypsis) Coloration that makes animals difficult to distinguish against their background, so tending to reduce predation. The effect of cryptic coloration may be to cause the appearance of the animal to merge into its background (e.g. the absence of all colour in some pelagic fish larvae) or to break up the body outline (e.g. the spotted patterns of many bottom-dwelling flatfish). Both effects often occur in the same animal.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-crypticcoloration.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-crypticcoloration.html

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cryptic coloration

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

cryptic coloration The type of colouring or marking of an animal that helps to camouflage it in its natural environment. It may enable the animal to blend with its background or, like the stripes of zebras and tigers, help to break up the outline of its body.

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"cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-crypticcoloration.html

"cryptic coloration." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-crypticcoloration.html

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