Article Summary
This article focuses on the use of camouflage by many species, from butterflies to penguins, in order not to attract the attention of predators or be noticed by potential prey. As reported, four Brazilian scientists decided to compare how effectively different species blend into the landscape and who in the animal kingdom really deserved the right to be called “invisible” (Economist, 2022, para. 6). After selecting all scientific articles on animal camouflage, they began to study the material for work, until they narrowed the selection to 84 articles. After analyzing the camouflage strategies, the scientists found that camouflage as an inedible object was the most reliable. On average, predators searched for camouflaged species 60% longer and attacked 25% slower than unmasked animals (Economist, 2022, para. 6).
The next part of this article is devoted to the discovery by experts from the University of Bristol that moth wing scales act as an excellent sound absorber (Economist, 2022, para. 8). During the experiments it was found that both wings are excellent sound absorbers even when placed on a solid acoustic substrate, while the wings absorb up to 87% of incoming sound energy.
Critique Assignment
The article is a compilation of two studies with an introductory section in which the authors give general information about the camouflage of both predators and potential victims. The researchers choose different species, such as butterflies, penguins, or leopards, as examples, thus emphasizing the natural diversity. Focusing on specific examples allows the reader to delve deeper into the topic before reading further research on the subject. By constructing the articles with the help of research history, vivid examples, and two scientific papers, the authors lead readers to a complete picture of camouflage as both a defense and an attack method. For further analysis, the integration of the two scholarly works into the overall narrative of the material should be examined in detail. The work of scholars from Brazil and England deserves excellent attention for the saturation of the work and the theses voiced.
The study from Brazil is notable because the authors decided to analyze most of the available articles on a disguise and turn to analytics. This tactic makes the material complete and credible. Still, the authors of the article in question did not specify the period over which the sample of publications was taken or the criteria by which the selection was made (Economist, 2022, para. 6). The researchers from Brazil cited essential statistics on time to find a victim and a deadly attack, which are valuable figures for future scientists who, due to climate change, will be able to track the dynamics. In addition, the authors of the Economist forgot to add the details of the study, which was expressed in the analysis of several types of cloaking, after which the numerical conclusions appeared.
The Bristol study is interesting in that it is based directly on an experiment on moths. The study seems more comprehensive because of the experimental approach, which allowed the authors to come up with accurate data and describe them in the paper. Noteworthy is the fact that scientists have gone further and are trying to implement the experience of moths in the construction of residential buildings to rid the residents of unnecessary noise (Economist, 2022, para. 11). This fact makes the research attractive because scientists have not limited themselves to one experience and are trying to implement it in people’s lives. In addition, some activists have picked up on the experience and are now trying to use it to confront technology, developing camouflage against facial recognition cameras.
Reference List
The complex arms race between predator and prey. (2022). Web.