entomolog: Zebra stripes evolved to keep biting...

entomolog:

Zebra stripes evolved to keep biting flies at bay

(By Victoria Gill)

Why zebras evolved their characteristic black-and-white stripes has been the subject of decades of debate among scientists.

Now researchers from Hungary and Sweden claim to have solved the mystery.

The stripes, they say, came about to keep away blood-sucking flies.

They report in the Journal of Experimental Biology that this pattern of narrow stripes makes zebras “unattractive” to the flies.

They key to this effect is in how the striped patterns reflect light.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16944753

Oh man, this is AWESOME.

tagged as entomology. zebras. flies. diptera. evolution. Equids. Hippotigris. Dolichohippus.

via entomolog

Ⓐ 14

14 notes

resolution39to liked this
tumorhead liked this
timewilltellok liked this
amesolitaire liked this
burnthepriests reblogged this from drozkanandmrscary
murmurfromtheruins reblogged this from harryallard
drozkanandmrscary liked this
drozkanandmrscary reblogged this from entomolog
really256gp liked this
skincoats liked this
developed6ok liked this
dangerdumont reblogged this from entomolog
m0thlight liked this
seasonalyp9 liked this
comealon reblogged this from entomolog
m0mentomori liked this
wolfcircuitry liked this
cravingformyfate liked this
harryallard reblogged this from entomolog
entomolog posted this