Visual-, Olfactory-, and Nectar-Taste-Based Flower Aposematism [PDF]
PlantsFlorivory, i.e., flower herbivory, of various types is common and can strongly reduce plant fitness. Flowers suffer two very different types of herbivory: (1) the classic herbivory of consuming tissues and (2) nectar theft.
Simcha Lev-Yadun
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Hidden colour signals as key drivers in the evolution of anti-predator coloration and defensive behaviours in snakes [PDF]
Nature CommunicationsThe initial evolution of warning coloration (“aposematism”) within a cryptic population of defended prey presents an evolutionary paradox. A recent phylogenetic analysis of amphibia suggests a new solution: prey that combine cryptic colours with ...
Karl Loeffer-Henry +2 more
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A histological analysis of coloration in the Peruvian mimic poison frog (Ranitomeya imitator) [PDF]
PeerJ, 2023 Aposematism continues to be a phenomenon of central interest in evolutionary biology. The life history of the mimic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator, relies heavily on aposematism.
Mallory de Araujo Miles +3 more
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Conspicuous stripes on prey capture attention and reduce attacks by foraging jumping spiders [PDF]
Royal Society Open Science, 2023 Many animals avoid predation using aposematic displays that pair toxic/dangerous defences with conspicuous achromatic warning patterns, such as high-contrast stripes.
Lauren Gawel +3 more
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A Lizard Predation Experiment Demonstrates Batesian Ant Mimicry in <i>Camponotus lateralis</i>. [PDF]
Ecol EvolAdaptiveness of ant mimicry was tested in an experimental terrarium with eight glass bowls with three ants each using lizards as real predators (dotted lines show holes; full lines show barriers). Bowls 1, 2, 7, and 8 were stocked with inaccurate and accurate mimics, Bowls 3–6 with the model.
Wagner HC, Kraker F, Römer H, Sefc KM.
europepmc +2 more sources
Coevolutionary patterns between coloration and diel activity in moths [PDF]
Royal Society Open ScienceAnti-predator coloration is part of a key survival strategy in animals, often coevolving with behavioural traits such as diel activity. While previous studies have explored the link between conspicuous sexual signals and diurnality, the association ...
Sohee Yoo +6 more
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Don't You Know That I'm Toxic? Wild Birds Learn to Avoid a Novel Aposematic Warning Signal [PDF]
Ecology and EvolutionMany prey species defend themselves against predators by sequestering toxins, which they advertise using conspicuous warning signals—a survival strategy termed ‘aposematism’.
Samuel G. Thompson, Steven J. Portugal
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Eyespots in <i>Automeris</i> Moths Mimic Sympatric Owl Species (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). [PDF]
Ecol EvolEyespot mimicry is a common anti‐predator strategy in moths, yet the mechanism underlying its effectiveness in Automeris remains unresolved. Using species distribution models, convolutional neural networks, and saliency mapping, we show that Automeris eyespots are visually confusable with sympatric owl eyes and that this similarity is concentrated in ...
Skojec C +8 more
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The Genomic Landscape of Metallic Colour Variation in Ground Beetles [PDF]
Mol EcolABSTRACT The metallic colour variation of beetles is a spectacular feature that has inspired diverse human cultures. However, little is known about the genetic basis of this trait or its ecological importance. In this study, we characterize the geographical distribution, optical mechanism, genetic basis and ecological and evolutionary importance of ...
Weng Y +5 more
europepmc +2 more sources
Are Toxic Butterflies More Easily Detected by Human ‘Predators’? [PDF]
Ecology and EvolutionButterfly colours often signal unprofitability due to toxicity to predators, with more conspicuous colour signals increasing predator avoidance learning.
Marilia Fernandes Erickson +2 more
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