The functional significance of zebra stripes has generated much interest and many hypotheses yet few have been tested. Comparative data from equids shows that striping is found in areas of particularly high biting fly annoyance, whereas other hypotheses cannot account for zebras’ infamous coloration. (Credit: Caro et al., )
Why do zebras have stripes? A new study suggests that rather than serving as camouflage, they may have evolved as a way to avoid fly bites.
Researchers found that among equids (horse-like animals), striped species such as zebras overlapped the range of flies known to avoid black and white surfaces. Moreover, they didn’t find any evidence that their stripes could have been used for camouflage, heat management or social interactions.
Original research paper published in the journal Nature Communications on April 1, 2014.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
Tim Caro, University of California at Davis
