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Dryad

EEG responses to camouflage objects

Billington, Jac1; Hassall, Christopher1; Craddock, Matt2

Research facility: University of Leeds
Published Jul 24, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.wwpzgmsqm

Data files

Jul 24, 2024 version files 4.60 GB

Abstract

Many animals rely on visual camouflage to avoid detection and increase their chances of survival. Edge disruption is commonly seen in the natural world, with animals evolving high-contrast markings that are incongruent with their real body outline to avoid recognition. Whilst many studies have investigated how camouflage properties influence viewer performance and eye movement in predation search tasks, researchers in the field have yet to consider how camouflage may directly modulate visual attention and object processing. To examine how disruptive colouration modulates attention, we use a visual object recognition model to quantify object saliency. We determine if object saliency is predictive of human behavioural performance and subjective certainty, as well as neural signatures of attention and decision-making. We show that increasing edge disruption not only reduces detection and identification performance but is also associated with a dampening of neurophysiological signatures of attentional filtering. Increased self-reported certainty regarding decisions corresponds with neurophysiological signatures of evidence accumulation and decision-making. In summary, we have demonstrated a potential mechanism by which edge disruption increases the evolutionary fitness of the animals by reducing the brain’s ability to distinguish signal from noise and, hence, to detect and identify the camouflaged animal.