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A predator's response to a prey's deterrent signal changes with experience.
S Aguilar-Argüello1, C Díaz-Castelazo2, D Rao3
1Instituto de Ecología, A. C., Apartado Postal 63, CP 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Behavioural Processes
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Predators learn to ignore prey displays over time. Spiders attacked displaying flies more frequently with experience, indicating learned avoidance is overcome, especially with motion cues.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Predator-Prey Interactions
- Animal Communication
Background:
- Prey signaling aims to deter predators, with effectiveness enhanced by defenses.
- Deceptive signaling can be overcome by predator learning, reducing its efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how predator experience affects the success of tephritid fly displays against jumping spiders.
- To compare predator attacks on displaying flies, non-displaying flies, and other prey types.
Main Methods:
- Experimental comparison of spider attacks on different fly treatments (displaying, non-displaying) and control prey.
- Assessing changes in attack rates based on predator experience with prey appearance and display.
Main Results:
- Spiders showed increased attack rates on displaying flies over time.
- Predators familiar with fly appearance, even without display, also increased attack rates.
- Evidence suggests spiders prioritize motion cues over appearance in their attack decisions.
Conclusions:
- Predator experience can diminish the effectiveness of prey defensive displays.
- Jumping spiders learn to overcome tephritid fly displays, attending to both motion and appearance, with a priority on motion.