Predator selection on multicomponent warning signals in an aposematic moth.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Animal Behavior
• Ecology

Background:

• Aposematic prey use warning signals to deter predators, but intraspecific variation in these signals is common despite expected selection for uniformity.
• Predator learning and avoidance of specific signal components may relax selection on other warning signal traits, potentially explaining this variation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different components of warning coloration influence predator attack decisions in the aposematic moth *Amata nigriceps*.
• To test the hypothesis that predator attention to specific signal elements can explain the observed variability in aposematic patterns.

Main Methods:

• Artificial moth models with manipulated wing spot size and abdominal stripe presence/number were created.
• A natural avian predator, the noisy miner (*Manorina melanocephala*), was presented with these models.
• Predator attack decisions were recorded to assess the influence of different warning signal components.

Main Results:

• When abdominal stripes were present, birds showed no preference for wing signal variations.
• In the absence of abdominal stripes, birds preferred models with smaller wing spots.
• Birds were more likely to attack models with fewer abdominal stripes.

Conclusions:

• Avian predators primarily focus on the abdominal stripes of *Amata nigriceps*, suggesting this component drives avoidance learning.
• This predator attention to abdominal stripes may relax selection pressure on wing coloration, allowing for greater intraspecific variation.
• Understanding the role of individual signal components is crucial for explaining the evolution of warning coloration in aposematic species.