Abstract
In this chapter, we use the example of colouration of animal surfaces to show how processes based on interactions of the individual parts enter, as units, into processes on other levels and how this processual scaffolding leads to the emergence of 'meaning' on the level of communication between individuals. We review recent understanding of colour production and pattern formation in animals.
We describe self-organization and dynamical nature of these processes. To highlight the inseparability of seeing and appearing, we discuss shared evolutionary origins of sight and colouration.
Common evolutionary explanations of colouration are then discussed. Due to the complementarity of appearance and perception, the exposed surfaces of organisms ultimately become semi-autonomous entities subjected to their own evolution.