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Body size matters for aposematic prey during predator aversion learning.

Karen E Smith¹, Christina G Halpin¹, Candy Rowe¹

¹Centre for Behaviour & Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle, NE2 4HH, UK.

Behavioural Processes

|September 27, 2014

Summary

Larger toxic prey are more likely to be eaten by predators, even when warning signals are present. This finding impacts the evolution of warning coloration and mimicry in aposematic species.

Keywords:

Aposematism Body size Learning Mimicry Sturnus vulgaris Warning signal

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Aposematic prey use warning signals to deter predators from consuming toxic individuals.
Predators learn to associate signals with toxicity, reducing attacks on defended prey.
Prey body size can influence signal effectiveness and nutritional value, complicating predator-prey dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how body size, independent of signal characteristics, affects predator attacks on toxic prey.
To understand the role of prey nutritional value in predator learning and avoidance of defended prey.

Main Methods:

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were trained to discriminate between defended (quinine-injected) and undefended (water-injected) mealworm prey (Tenebrio molitor).
Visual cues were used for discrimination, while prey body size was manipulated.
Predation rates on defended prey of varying sizes were recorded during the learning process.

Main Results:

Predators attacked and consumed more defended prey as their body size increased.
Body size significantly influenced the probability of attack and consumption of toxic prey.
This suggests that larger size can override learned avoidance of warning signals.

Conclusions:

Prey body size is a critical factor in the predation of toxic prey, independent of signal salience.
Increased nutritional value of larger prey may incentivize predators to overcome learned aversion to toxins.
These findings have significant implications for the evolutionary trajectories of aposematism and Batesian mimicry.