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Do unprofitable prey evolve traits that profitable prey find difficult to exploit?

Thomas N Sherratt1, Daniel W Franks

  • 1Carleton University, Department of Biology, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada, ON K1S 5B6. sherratt@ccs.carleton.ca

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 26, 2005
PubMed
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Unprofitable prey evolve conspicuous warning signals because mimicry by profitable prey is costly. This signal stability prevents mimicry, explaining why certain warning traits evolve in prey defenses.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Animal behavior
  • Predator-prey dynamics

Background:

  • Unprofitable prey often display conspicuous patterns and slower movements.
  • These traits are theorized to function as warning signals, aiding predator learning.
  • The specific evolution of these traits in unprofitable prey remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate why unprofitable prey evolve conspicuous patterns and slower movements.
  • To explore the role of mimicry in the evolution of warning signals.
  • To develop a mathematical model explaining the evolution of warning signal traits.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a signal detection model to simulate evolutionary dynamics.
  • Analyzed the costs and benefits of conspicuousness and mimicry for prey.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Incorporated predator learning and avoidance into the model.

    • Main Results:

    • Conspicuous patterns evolve in unprofitable prey due to the difficulty of mimicry by profitable prey.
    • The costs of dishonesty for profitable prey stabilize warning signals.
    • Unprofitable prey may evolve conspicuousness to reduce mimicry, even if it increases mimetic potential.

    Conclusions:

    • Mimicry plays a crucial role in the evolution and stability of warning signals.
    • The model provides a general explanation for the specific traits observed in unprofitable prey.
    • Warning signals and mimicry are more interconnected than previously understood.