researchers have uncovered the reason behind zebra fur being thinly striped and clearly defined., reveal that the strong black-white contrast and small dark patches in zebra fur are particularly effective in deterring horsefly attacks. These specific characteristics eliminate the outline of large monochrome dark areas that are attractive to horseflies at close range.
“Is it the thinness of the stripes? The contrast of black and white? The polarized signal that can be given off objects? So we set out to explore these issues using different patterned cloths draped over horses and filmed incoming horseflies.”The team found that tabanid horseflies are attracted to large dark objects in their environment but less to dark broken patterns.
Now the team wants to determine why natural selection has driven striping in equids – the horse family -but not other hoofed animals.