Weatherford, OK – Dr. Renan Bosque, Professor in the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is part of an international research team whose work has been published in Science. The study focuses on the evolution of camouflage and warning coloration in animals.

The article, titled “Global selection on insect antipredator coloration,” examines how factors such as predation intensity, the presence of alternative prey, and light conditions influence whether animals develop camouflage or warning colors.

To test these ideas, 56 researchers from around the world deployed more than 15,000 insect models across 21 forest sites on six continents. The team was led by Dr. Iliana Medina Guzmán of The University of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr. William Allen of Swansea University, UK. Bosque coordinated the field research at one of the study sites in Brazil.

“Having the opportunity to work with such a brilliant team of scientists is priceless. This is a great contribution to our understanding of the selective forces governing the evolution of coloration in animals,” Bosque said.

At SWOSU, Bosque leads undergraduate students in research on color evolution in squamates, including experiments on predation and the ecophysiology of coloration. These projects give students hands-on scientific experience while contributing to broader discoveries in biodiversity and evolution.

Being published in Science is a major professional milestone that brings international visibility to SWOSU and highlights the strength of the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The department offers a top-ranked biology degree in Oklahoma and prepares students for careers in biotechnology, health care, government, law, public health and education. Faculty members are active in research across a wide range of biological topics and involve students in projects that strengthen their scientific skills and career preparation.

To learn more about the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, visit www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/. The full study, “Global selection on insect antipredator coloration,” is available in Science.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

Copyright 2025 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.