Biology 2015 JAMB Past Questions - Question 49: The type of protective adaptation exhibited by the animal is

Correct Answer

D

Explanation

Disruptivecolouration is the possession of patterns such as spots on the body ofleopards, bands of colour on girrafe etc. which break the body's outline ornormal shape making the animal (prey) difficultto be detected by predators. Warning colouration is the display of brightcolours and patterns on the body of preys because they have either stingingstructures as in wasps or secrete unpleasant smell as in ladybird beetles etc. thatmakes them easily noticed to serve as warning to potential predators. Mimicryis the possession of features or structures by an organism which resemblesclosely to the features possessed by another different organism as a means ofenhancing the chances of the survival of the former organism in its habitate.g. a species of orchid plant produces flowers which resemble or mimic somefemale flies such that the male flies mistake the flowers as female flies andmove to them for sex thereby effecting pollination of the flowers. Anotherexample is a species of moth looking closely like a broken twig, making itdifficult to be identified by predators. Counter shading is the possessionof different colours by the upper or dorsal and ventral surfaces of an animalIn water as a way of enhancing its survival in its natural habitat e.g. mostfishes have dark dorsal surfaces when a predator (bigger fish) views them from above their dark dorsal surfaces blend with dark shadow they throw in water. The silvery white colour of their ventral surface blends with the light colour falling on the water when the predator (bigger fish) views them from below. This makes it difficult for bigger fishes to identify smaller ones to eat.