A biologist proposes that the dramatic color changes in some squid species serve a communicative purpose between individual squid, rather than primarily acting as camouflage to evade predators.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the biologist's proposal?
- A
Squid have skin cells called chromatophores that allow rapid color changes.
- B
Some squid live in deep, dark water.
- C
Squid have been observed by divers in many ocean environments.
- Dcheck_circle
Squid display rapid, complex color patterns most often when other squid are nearby and visible, and these patterns differ from the slower, blended patterns shown when only predators are present.
Explanation
A distinguishes communicative patterns (with other squid present) from camouflage patterns (with predators), directly supporting the proposal. B, C, and D are background.