Table 1.

Some predictions about the design features, ecological and social correlates of black and white coloration patterns in terrestrial mammals. (X denotes supports hypothesis.)

		crypsis
	apoa	BM	PB	DC	CS	sig	lure	SS	temp	AG
design features
shape
same as background		X	X
same area as background		X	X
large blocks	X							X
regular patterns	X
location
patterns found at edge				X
borders do not follow outline				X
borders do follow outline					X
light ventrum/dark dorsum					X
proximal view						Xb
distal view						Xc,d
tail tip white or black						Xd	X
contrast
high contrast	X			X
ecological correlates
lives in one habitat		X	X						X
diurnal						X			X
nocturnal/crepuscular		X								X
lives in snow		X							X	X
lives in shadow		X
lives with no shade									X	X
social correlates
solitary		X	X	X
social species
found in only one sex								X
polygynous								X
defences
small body size		X
medium body size	X
spines	X
toxic secretions	X
speed	X

^aApo, aposematism; BM, background matching; PB, pattern blending; DC, disruptive coloration; CS, countershading; sig, conspecific signal; SS, sexual selection; Temp, temperature regulation; AG, anti-glare.

^bBadges of dominance.

^cPursuit deterrence signal or readiness to mate.

^dFollow-me signals.