Camouflage chez le Yapock Chironectes minimus ?

Abstract

The striking colour pattern of the Yapok (Chironectes minimus) is unique among all marsupials. The broad dark transverse bands of the back, and the dark dorsal surface of the head and tail, sharply contrast with the white underside of the animal and the white inside surface of its legs (Fig. 1). This pattern is interpreted as a camouflage against aquatic and aerial predators. The white underside is a typical case of countershading, whereas the dorsal banding is disruptive. As shown by figure 2, the dark dorsal bands match the ripples made on the water surface when the animal is swimming.