Plants must make themselves noticeable and attractive to animals on which they depend for pollination or seed dispersal. Many animals must signal, advertise and attract in order to claim territory, court a mate or warn of danger. Crowded and confusing, the tropical forest is a challenge to any creature who needs to communicate. Only the most brilliant colors will generally be noticed.
Against the green leaves, red blossoms give an immediately obvious signal to the many pollinating insects, especially bees, which fly over the forest. The shiny or metallic colors of some insects are an indication to predators that they are either toxic or distasteful. The brightly colored face of the mandrill helps it send a strong visual signal in the darkness of the forest. In the densely populated world of the jungle, animals and plants use vivid colors to compete and survive.
