There is a real furor about why zebras have evolved stripes. Apparently recent excellent research has shown that stripes actually repel nasty Tabanid flies that can plague the unfortunate animal.Now, enterprising scientists are searching for theories to explain how the interaction works.
Avoiding complex explanations that involve polarized light etc. I would like to suggest a possible mechanism.
1. The tabanid fly, in unison with its diptera relatives, has a basic and vital recognition system for stripes, as they commonly occur on the abdomens of these creatures. This permits it to swarm, associate, and mate with others of its species.
2. The stripes of the zebra provide an intense and distant stimulus to this vital system, like a flash of intense light to our visual system, blocking and disorienting the fly. It is like a radar jamming system.
This would be a tribute to EVOLUTION.
I published it yesterday on google hoping it would land on your blogs, so I have now placed this where I want it.
Thanks
