Camouflage as a Behavior for Information Masking

Abstract

    Camouflage is a widespread phenomenon in nature, yet it presents a challenge for researchers in animal communication. In this discipline, there are two main views on camouflage. The first excludes camouflage from research because animal signals presuppose detection by a receiver, whereas camouflage is an evolved behavior aimed at avoiding detection. The second lumps camouflage together with mimicry under the notion of lying or deception. I will argue that each of these views has its own shortcomings and that camouflage creates a dilemma that lies between them. To resolve this dilemma, I will address the development of the former view by introducing the notion of information masking.