Answer to Question #60609 in Evolution for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question

What are the significances of colouration?

I have been able to jot down some points but I need some more. The points are:

* Colouration increases the survival value of a species by providing protection (protective colouration), provinding food (alluring colouration) and by helping in reproduction (sexual colouration).
* When different species have same colouration it leads to convergent evolution. e.g. Many wasp, caterpillar moth, grasshopper and arrow poison frogs have black and yellow stripes.
* Animals with darker skin have more melanin and are less vulnerable to skin cancer.