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Published on: January 11, 2015
Disentangling taste and toxicity in aposematic prey
1Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway. o.h.holen@bio.uio.no
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|December 21, 2012
Summary
Predators may adopt a "go-slow" approach with toxic prey. Moderate toxicity can offer better protection for mimicry complexes than high toxicity, due to predator taste-sampling strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Predator-Prey Dynamics
Background:
- Predators often learn to avoid aposematic (warningly colored) prey.
- When prey toxicity varies, predators may develop 'go-slow' behavior, carefully taste-sampling prey before ingestion.
- Increased prey toxicity is typically assumed to reduce predation, but distastefulness may influence predator sampling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent effects of prey taste and toxicity on predator foraging preferences.
- To model the predator's taste-sampling process using signal detection theory.
- To analyze the implications for mimicry complexes, including Batesian and automimicry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a classic diet model framework.
- Incorporated signal detection theory to model the taste-sampling behavior of predators.
- Applied the model to scenarios involving mimicry complexes.
Main Results:
- When prey toxins are sufficiently distasteful, mimicry complexes can be less profitable and better protected at moderate prey toxicity compared to high toxicity.
- Taste mimicry can decrease the overall profitability of mimicry complexes.
- Taste-sampling strategies can enhance protection against predation for certain prey.
Conclusions:
- Prey toxicity and distastefulness have complex, interacting effects on predator behavior and prey survival.
- Optimal prey defenses and mimicry strategies may involve moderate toxicity levels.
- Understanding predator taste-sampling is crucial for explaining the evolution of prey defenses and mimicry.
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