An Empirical Test Indicates Only Qualitatively Honest Aposematic Signaling Within a Population of Vertebrates

Stuckert, Adam M. M.; Saporito, Ralph A.; Summers, Kyle

doi:10.1670/17-047

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Whether the conspicuous coloration of fire salamanders is under natural selection by serving as an aposematic signal remains to be tested, for example, by using clay models in the field, in which not only the proportions of black and yellow but also the color pattern (stripes, spots) should be taken into consideration (e.g., Preißler & Pröhl, ). In other amphibians, a correlation between coloration and toxicity has been found at the species (e.g., Summer & Clough, ) and population levels (e.g., Maan & Cummings, 2012) but to our knowledge, no evidence of quantitative honesty has been found within a population of amphibians (Mochida et al 2013; Stuckert, Saporito, & Summers, ). Although the intra‐population variation in alkaloid content found herein was high, we encourage that future studies explore population differences in the relationship between coloration and toxicity of fire salamanders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The conspicuous postmetamorphic coloration of fire salamanders, but not their toxicity, is affected by larval background albedo

et al. 2019

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Experimental work in the early 20th century showed that background albedo experienced by larvae of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) induce a durable morphological modification of the postmetamorphic color pattern, which needed confirmation due to the controversies regarding Paul Kammerer's experiments. Such a carry‐over effect would be relevant as the black and yellow pattern of the alkaloid‐containing adult fire salamanders has been suggested to serve as an aposematic signal. Hence, we hypothesized that (a) adult coloration is conspicuous to potential predators under light conditions at night, given the nocturnal activity of this species, and (b) a condition affecting the salamander's coloration pattern would also affect its toxicity to maintain a quantitatively honest aposematic signal. To test the first hypothesis, we used spectrometry to model the vision of potential avian and snake predators and confirmed that fire salamander's black‐and‐yellow pattern is contrasting enough against the forest leaf litter to be considered conspicuous at night. To test the second hypothesis, we first confirmed the background carry‐over effect on black and yellow proportions in the dorsal skin of experimentally reared fire salamanders, using a rigorous experimental design. Then, we calculated the conspicuousness and determined the alkaloid profiles of these individuals. We did not find a correlation between conspicuousness and toxicity at the intrapopulation level. Moreover, there was no background carry‐over effect on the alkaloid profile. We discuss our results in a physiological, ecological, evolutionary, and historical context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The conspicuous postmetamorphic coloration of fire salamanders, but not their toxicity, is affected by larval background albedo

et al. 2019

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“…Our final analysis included 127 effect sizes from 24 studies [21][22][23][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][38][39][40][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56]. Most studies reported multiple effects, with a mean of 6 and range of 1-27.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analytic evidence for quantitative honesty in aposematic signals

White

Umbers

2021

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The combined use of noxious chemical defences and conspicuous warning colours is a ubiquitous anti-predator strategy. That such signals advertise the presence of defences is inherent to their function, but their predicted potential for quantitative honesty—the positive scaling of signal salience with the strength of protection—is the subject of enduring debate. Here, we systematically synthesized the available evidence to test this prediction using meta-analysis. We found evidence for a positive correlation between warning colour expression and the extent of chemical defences across taxa. Notably, this relationship held at all scales; among individuals, populations and species, though substantial between-study heterogeneity remains unexplained. Consideration of the design of signals revealed that all visual features, from colour to contrast, were equally informative of the extent of prey defence. Our results affirm a central prediction of honesty-based models of signal function and narrow the scope of possible mechanisms shaping the evolution of aposematism. They suggest diverse pathways to the encoding and exchange of information, while highlighting the need for deeper knowledge of the ecology of chemical defences to enrich our understanding of this widespread anti-predator adaptation.

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“…Consequently, we assume that toxin levels might differ between the studied populations. The interplay of conspicuous signals and toxicity has been subject to many different studies with conflicting results 51–53 . When dealing with honest signals which are supposed to benefit sender as well as receiver, more conspicuous signals should be positively correlated to higher toxin levels 54 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sole coloration as an unusual aposematic signal in a Neotropical toad

Rößler

Lötters

Mappes

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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Many animals have evolved remarkable strategies to avoid predation. In diurnal, toxic harlequin toads (Atelopus) from the Amazon basin, we find a unique colour signal. Some Atelopus populations have striking red soles of the hands and feet, visible only when walking. When stationary, the toads are hard to detect despite their yellow-black dorsal coloration. Consequently, they switch between high and low conspicuousness. Interestingly, some populations lack the extra colour display of the soles. We found comprehensive support that the red coloration can act as an aposematic signal directed towards potential predators: red soles are significantly more conspicuous than soles lacking red coloration to avian predators and the presence of the red signal significantly increases detection. Further, toads with red soles show bolder behaviour by using higher sites in the vegetation than those lacking this signal. Field experiments hint at a lower attack risk for clay models with red soles than for those lacking the signal, in a population where the red soles naturally occur. We suggest that the absence of the signal may be explained by a higher overall attack risk or potential differences of predator community structure between populations.

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An Empirical Test Indicates Only Qualitatively Honest Aposematic Signaling Within a Population of Vertebrates

Cited by 11 publications

References 60 publications

The conspicuous postmetamorphic coloration of fire salamanders, but not their toxicity, is affected by larval background albedo

The conspicuous postmetamorphic coloration of fire salamanders, but not their toxicity, is affected by larval background albedo

Meta-analytic evidence for quantitative honesty in aposematic signals

Sole coloration as an unusual aposematic signal in a Neotropical toad

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