Avoidance of aposematic prey in European tits (Paridae): learned or innate?

Exnerová, Alice; Štys, Pavel; Fučíková, Eva; Veselá, Silvie; Svádová, Kateřina Hotová; Prokopová, Milena; Jaros̆ı́k, Vojtĕch; Fuchs, Roman; Landová, Eva

doi:10.1093/beheco/arl061

Cited by 111 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Second, our work also provides a new line of empirical evidence that these signals are highly reliable even under different light conditions. The latter finding may explain why these colors are better learnt by potential predators (Roper and Wistow, 1986;Roper, 1990;Exnerová et al, 2006a;Aronsson and Gamberalle-Stille, 2008) in comparison to other color combinations and achromatic signals (Osorio et al, 1999b). Here, we focus on the contrast of aposematic signals against an average green background.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

2014

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Vivid warning signals (aposematism) have evolved repeatedly throughout the animal kingdom. However, relatively few studies consider what makes an effective signal, in terms of preventing attack and promoting avoidance learning by predators. Signal form varies substantially among and sometimes within species, but there has also been apparent convergence on relatively few main color types. We aimed to determine why warning signals often combine red, orange, yellow, and black colors, and specifically to determine whether these colors provide highly salient and reliable visual signals under a range of environmental conditions. Using digital image analysis, we modeled ladybird (ladybug) coloration to an avian visual system. We calculated the contrast of several different ladybird species against an average green background, based on predicted opponent color channel responses in bird vision. Our results suggest that longwave colors (i.e., red, orange) are more contrasting than colors such as blue, against green natural backgrounds. Moreover, these colors yield relatively unchanging (stable) signals throughout the day and under different weather conditions. These analyses show how aposematic signals have evolved under selection to be more effective by being more conspicuous and reliable to the visual system of their potential avian predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

2014

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“…This result can be explained in part by the higher frequency with which male great tits preyed on lasiocampids. The fact that females were more reluctant to exploit this prey type may be linked to personality traits (aggressive behaviour, risk-taking, explorative behaviour, and others), which often differ between sexes (males are more bold and aggressive than females) and may affect birds' reaction to aposematic prey such as Malacosoma neustria larvae (Exnerová et al, 2007). Regarding the effect of parental size on prey choice, we did not find any association between the body size of adults and their diet preferences ©Écoscience in either species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prey choice, provisioning behaviour, and effects of early nutrition on nestling phenotype of titmice

García‐Navas¹,

Ferrer²,

Sanz³

2013

Écoscience

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“…The birds' willingness to consume aposematic prey also strongly depends on their hunger level as the results of the current and some other studies show (Chai, 1986;Sandre & Mappes, in prep.). It can also depend on their ability to overcome prey defences, both within (Bowers & Farley, 1990) and between species (Exnerová et al, 2003), the presence of alternative prey (Hetz & Slobodchikoff, 1988;Lindström et al, 2001Lindström et al, , 2004, earlier experience (Endler, 1988;Lindström et al, 1999aLindström et al, , 2001Exnerová et al, 2007), within-species genetic biases (Marples & Brakefield, 1995), and more.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Size-dependent colouration in larvae of Orgyia antiqua (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae): A trade-off between warning effect and detectability?

Sandre¹,

Tammaru²,

Mänd³

2007

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. While the study of colour patterns is a traditional subject of evolutionary ecology, there are various hypotheses which suffer from a lack of experimental evidence. One intriguing possibility is a trade-off between warning efficiency and detectability. After a certain size threshold, the detrimental effect of increased detectability can outweigh the benefits of warning colouration. One may thus expect corresponding patterns at the level of ontogenetic development: as juveniles grow, they should first acquire warning colouration, and then lose it again. We analysed this possibility in Orgyia antiqua, a moth species with hairy larvae which are polyphenic with respect to the intensity of warning colouration. We detected a regular change in colour patterns through larval life. Indeed, the larvae tend to display warning colouration at intermediate sizes while dull colours dominate in fully grown larvae. In aviary experiments, we confirmed that the colourful phenotype is the one that causes the strongest aversion in birds. Nevertheless, the effect was rather weak and most of the larvae were still eventually consumed when found. Unexpectedly, for human subjects, the warningly coloured larvae were harder, and not easier to find among natural vegetation, most likely due to the disruptive effect of the aposematic colour pattern. Importantly, the trend was reversed in the largest size class, suggesting that the disruptive colouration loses its advantage as the larva grows. This is consistent with the actual patterns of size-dependence of colouration. We present evidence against an alternative explanation which relates size-related change in colouration to behavioural changes prior to pupation. We conclude that even if the efficiency of the warning effect plays a role in determining the size-dependence of colouration, the pattern may be largely explained by the effects of size-dependent detectability alone.

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Avoidance of aposematic prey in European tits (Paridae): learned or innate?

Cited by 111 publications

References 62 publications

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

Prey choice, provisioning behaviour, and effects of early nutrition on nestling phenotype of titmice

Size-dependent colouration in larvae of Orgyia antiqua (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae): A trade-off between warning effect and detectability?

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