Mimicry and Camouflage Test

Multiple Choice

1. The way mimicry and camouflage evolved was an example of what type of selection?

A. natural selection

B. sexual selection

C. peripatric selection

D. artificial selection

2. The Eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar looks like a piece of bird excrement. This is an example of:

A. mimicry

B. hiding

C. camouflage

D. blending in

3. Different animals can change colour to aid in camouflage by:

A. Shedding

B. Release of hormones based on environment

C. Chromatophores

D. All of the above

4. Camouflage is:

A. The use of colours and patterns to prevent detection

B. Blending in with a background to prevent detection

C. Any strategy used for concealment or to prevent detection

D. Using different colour tones on different areas to account for directional sunlight

5. In Muellerian mimicry

a) One body part mimics another to increase survival during attack

b) Two unpalatable species that are mimics if each other with conspicuous warning coloration

c) Species that are similar in appearance, but only one of which obtains desired traits.

d) None of the above

6. The comparison of the monarch butterfly and the viceroy butterfly is an example of _____ type of

mimicry:

a) Batesion

b)Muellerian

c) Self

d) Camouflage

Short Answers

7. Name three methods of camouflage and describe how they work.

8. How do the “Eye spots” on the example of Self Mimicry: the countless moth, aid prey in their

escape?

9. Describe how the Syrphid fly and the Honey bee relates to Batesion Mimicry

Long Answer

10. On two isolated islands, there are two separate populations of rats. On island A, hawks are the

main natural predator, while island B’s rats have no natural predators. Hawks tend to kill rats with

lighter colours easier, because they are easier to see.

Assuming rats have a natural genetic variation of colours from dark grey to white, predict the

population phenotypes of both islands in 1000 generations (Will one island have mostly light rats,

mostly dark rats, no change in phenotypes, etc.?) and explain your answer.

11. Choose an animal and describe why and how they use camouflage. Be sure to specify the type of

camouflage, why it is effective and how it works.

Answers:

1. A

2. C

3. D

4. C

5. B

6. B

7. Background Matching: the colour of the animal matches its environment, blending in and minimizing

the chances of being spotted by a predator

Disruptive Colouration: Bold patterns distort an animal’s true outline making it harder for a predator

to distinguish the animal from a pack or from its surroundings

Counter Shading: An animal has two tones of colour on different parts of their body to account for

directional sunlight

8. “Eye-spots", large dark markings that when flashed may momentarily startle a predator and allow

the prey extra seconds to escape. "Eye-spots" also help prey escape predators by giving predators a

false target

9. Batesion mimicry refers to two or more different species, mimicking the same appearance but one

lacking the desired traits. The syrphid fly mimics the colors and markings of honey bees, therefore

giving the connection of having a stinger and other defense mechanisms of a honey bee.

10. On island A, lighter-coloured rats will be selected against. Slowly, the darker rats will survive to

breed more, and the population’s average colour will be darker. In 1000 generations, there should

be significantly more dark rats than light rats.

On island B, there will be no change. The rats naturally have a colour variance, and since there is

no external factor selecting for one colour over another, this colour variance will be preserved. Even

in 1000 generations, no significant colour change will be observed.

11. An octopus uses camouflage as a means of protection to increase its chance of survival and

reproduction. This is extremely important for octopi as their jelly like structures provide little other

protection. Octopi use background matching as a method of camouflage. They have an excellent

ability to change their colour as well as texture to some degree, in order to blend in with their

surroundings. They are able to make these changes very rapidly and effectively. The colour changes

are made through the chromatophores which exist beneath the skin. Biochromes produce pigments

which combine in different combinations with schemochromes (microscopic structures which reflect

light, like prisms) to produce different colours and patterns. This chemical change occurs very

quickly which allows for the rapid change in background matching.