Zebra stripes are dazzling 91裸聊视频� particularly to flies.

That91裸聊视频檚 the conclusion of scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of California at Davis who dressed horses in black-and-white striped coats to help determine why zebras have stripes.

The researchers found that fewer horseflies landed on the cloaked horses than on the ones without striped coats, suggesting that zebra stripes may offer protection from blood-sucking insects that can spread disease.

91裸聊视频淭his reduced ability to land on the zebra91裸聊视频檚 coat may be due to stripes disrupting the visual system of the horse flies during their final moments of approach,91裸聊视频� said Martin How, a research fellow at the University of Bristol. 91裸聊视频淪tripes may dazzle flies in some way once they are close enough to see them with their low-resolution eyes.91裸聊视频�

From a distance, the flies were equally attracted to both horses and zebras, with the same number of insects hovering around both types of animals. But when the flies got closer, things get dicey. The flies landed less frequently on the zebras and the horses covered in striped coats.

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91裸聊视频淥nce they get close to the zebras, however, they tend to fly past or bump into them,91裸聊视频� said Tim Caro, a professor in the U.C. Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. 91裸聊视频淭his indicates that stripes may disrupt the flies91裸聊视频� abilities to have a controlled landing.91裸聊视频�

The work , reported in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, seeks to answer one of the oldest questions in zoology 91裸聊视频� why do zebras have stripes? Charles Darwin had his theories. So did British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.

But the scientists from Britain and California sought to examine that question by studying both horses and zebras at the Hill Livery in Britain, which works with zoos in Europe on conservation for zebras. That provided a controlled environment where the horses could be dressed up and closely observed to test the theory.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 one of those pieces of research that you say, 91裸聊视频榳hy hasn91裸聊视频檛 someone done this before?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said Tim Woodfine, the director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife in southern England. He did not take part in the study. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 simple and neat. I think it91裸聊视频檚 a great piece of work,91裸聊视频� he said.

How, an expert on animal vision, told The Associated Press on Thursday there are reasons to be 91裸聊视频渜uite excited91裸聊视频� about the research, which he said helps scientists understand what91裸聊视频檚 happening in the mind of a fly.

The insights have broader implications for technology such as driverless cars, which are inspired by insect vision. If stripes disrupt a fly, they might also disrupt a driverless car91裸聊视频檚 systems, according to How.

91裸聊视频淲hat we needed to do is get our mind into the eye of the fly,91裸聊视频� How said. 91裸聊视频淭hey have very different eyes from us.91裸聊视频�

Erica McAlister, the senior curator of flies and fleas at the Natural History Museum in London, said the research contributes information to a subject long debated by scientists.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e been arguing about zebra stripes for 75 years,91裸聊视频� said McAlister, who was also not involved in the study.

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But there are also human applications. How says from now on, he91裸聊视频檚 wearing stripes while riding his bicycle during horse-fly season.

Caro hopes the study will underscore the wonders that remain to be discovered in the natural world.

91裸聊视频淚f we can try to pique the public91裸聊视频檚 appreciation of the wonders of nature, they91裸聊视频檒l be less cavalier about destroying it,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 my hope.

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press

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