The re-emergence of felid camouflage with the decay of predator recognition in deer under relaxed selection

Abstract

When a previously common predator disappears owing to local extinction, the strong source of natural selection on prey to visually recognize that predator becomes relaxed. At present, we do not know the extent to which recognition of a specific predator is generalized to similar looking predators or how a specific predator-recognition cue, such as coat pattern, degrades under prolonged relaxed selection. Using predator models, we show that deer exhibit a more rapid and stronger antipredator response to their current predator, the puma, than to a leopard displaying primitive rosettes similar to a locally extinct predator, an early jaguar. Presentation of a novel tiger with a striped coat engendered an intermediate speed of predator recognition and strength of antipredator behaviour. Responses to the leopard model slightly exceeded responses to a non-threatening deer model, suggesting that thousands of years of relaxed selection have led to the loss of recognition of the spotted coat as a jaguar-recognition cue, and that the spotted coat has regained its ability to camouflage the felid form. Our results shed light on the evolutionary arms race between adoption of camouflage to facilitate hunting and the ability of prey to quickly recognize predators by their formerly camouflaging patterns.

Can prey exhibit threat-sensitive generalization of predator recognition? Extending the Predator Recognition Continuum Hypothesis

“…Although many studies have investigated the existence of predator recognition in a variety of species, very little is known about the specific characteristics of the predator that the prey learn to recognize. Three recent studies have revolutionized the way in which ecologists view predator recognition (Griffin et al 2001;Ferrari et al 2007;Stankowich & Coss 2007). These studies revealed that prey animals have the ability to display an antipredator response to a novel predator if it is closely related to a predator they recently learned to recognize.…”

“…Interestingly, deer did not respond to model jaguars. Stankowich & Coss (2007) attributed their results to the spotted pattern of the jaguar's coat, which would camouflage the jaguar's body shape. These results indicate that learned predator recognition requires labelling of specific characteristics of predators and that predatory traits shared by closely related species of predators can be used by prey to label them as dangerous, prior to any experience with the novel threats.…”

“…However, the generalization by the wallabies was not extended to a stuffed non-predatory juvenile goat (Capra hircus). Similarly, Stankowich & Coss (2007) showed that black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus colombianus) displayed antipredator behaviours not only to model cougars, their predators, but also to model tigers, a novel predator. Interestingly, deer did not respond to model jaguars.…”

Analyzing Visual Signals as Visual Scenes

“…Progress needs to be made on rectifying this issue as several strands of evidence suggest that form is as least as important as color in determining signal information content. For example, shape information is involved in predator learning of noxiousness [Hauglund, 2006;Niskanen and Mappes, 2005], inter and intraspecific recognition [Fordyce et al, 2002;Stankowich and Coss, 2007] and mate choice [Alatalo et al, 1988]. Symmetry is a property of shape and pattern that can also have an important signaling function in primates .…”

Sex difference in choice of concealed or exposed refuge sites by preschool children viewing a model leopard in a playground simulation of antipredator behavior

“…These models were used in previous research on the antipredator behavior of Columbian black-tailed deer (O. h. columbianus; see Figure 1 in Stankowich & Coss, 2007). The leopard and deer models constructed of lifesized photographs were scaled to have approximately the same total surface area and similar body lengths (1.5 m).…”