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Related Concept Videos

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.

Fixed Action Patterns

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.

Mate Choice

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

What is Natural Selection?

What is Natural Selection?

Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Pattern contrast influences wariness in naïve predators towards aposematic patterns.

C G Halpin¹, O Penacchio², P G Lovell³

¹Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

Scientific Reports

|June 10, 2020

Summary

High luminance contrast in aposematic patterns deters naive predators. This study shows that prey with high achromatic contrast are less likely to be eaten by domestic chicks, suggesting an unlearned survival benefit.

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Last Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Animal Behavior
Ecology

Background:

Aposematic patterns, common in nature, often feature high achromatic (luminance) contrast, like black and yellow.
The specific role of luminance contrast, separate from color contrast, in predator deterrence has been understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the importance of achromatic contrast in aposematic signaling.
To determine if high luminance contrast deters naive predators, using domestic chicks as a model.

Main Methods:

Domestic chicks were used as model predators.
The degree of achromatic contrast in artificial warning patterns was manipulated.
Predator approach and consumption rates were recorded for high versus low contrast patterns.

Main Results:

Chicks were significantly less likely to approach and consume prey models with high achromatic contrast.
This suggests a deterrent effect of high luminance contrast on naive predators.

Conclusions:

Aposematic patterns with high luminance contrast may confer survival advantages by exploiting unlearned predator biases.
Luminance contrast is a crucial factor to consider in understanding the evolution of aposematic coloration.