Author(s)

Noam Josef^1,2

¹Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA.
²Institute for Human & Machine Cognition, Pensacola, Florida, USA.

Spatial body patterning is widely observed throughout the phylogenetic tree and is used for a variety of functions. Body colours in general and camouflaging patterns in particular have been extensively studied for their role in stealth and crypsis. Particular interest has focused on the diverse skin patterns surrounding animals’ eyes (Peri-Ocular Eye Patterning-POEP). These patterns have been suggested to aid in high brightness conditions, help camouflage an organism’s eyes or ornament and emphasize bright head colorations. In this work I demonstrate the apparent widespread use of POEP among various marine and terrestrial organisms (both vertebrates and invertebrates) and discuss the trait’s abundance, variations, and possible roles.

Eyes, Camouflage, Body Patterning, Malar Stripes

Josef, N. (2017) Peri-Ocular Eye Patterning (POEP): More than Meets the Eye. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 7, 356-363. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2017.73027.