Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots
Many prey species possess eyespots: paired markings that often consist of two or more concentric circles. Predators are wary of such prey because eyespots are conspicuous and/or mistaken for vertebrate eyes. Here we used naïve domestic chicks as predators of artificial moth-like prey to test the hyp...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.951967/full |
| _version_ | 1817986276395057152 |
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| author | John Skelhorn John Skelhorn Hannah M. Rowland |
| author_facet | John Skelhorn John Skelhorn Hannah M. Rowland |
| author_sort | John Skelhorn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many prey species possess eyespots: paired markings that often consist of two or more concentric circles. Predators are wary of such prey because eyespots are conspicuous and/or mistaken for vertebrate eyes. Here we used naïve domestic chicks as predators of artificial moth-like prey to test the hypothesis that both eyespots configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots. We found that when chicks approached prey straight on, eyespots configuration did not influence attack latency. Chicks that approached from either the left or the right, were slower to attack prey in which the central circle of the eyespot was centrally placed or shifted in the direction of the chick’s approach, compared to prey in which the central circle had been shifted away from the direction of approach. These findings suggest that eyespots composed of concentric circles may protect prey against predators approaching from a wider range of directions than eyespots composed of eccentric circles. They are also consistent with the idea that eyespots are mistaken for eyes, and are perceived to pose a lesser risk when their “gaze” is averted from the approaching predator. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:06:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-922186a53ff240a6b933a0f805f70404 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:06:55Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-922186a53ff240a6b933a0f805f704042022-12-22T02:23:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2022-10-011010.3389/fevo.2022.951967951967Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespotsJohn Skelhorn0John Skelhorn1Hannah M. Rowland2Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomCentre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Laboratories, Exeter, United KingdomMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, GermanyMany prey species possess eyespots: paired markings that often consist of two or more concentric circles. Predators are wary of such prey because eyespots are conspicuous and/or mistaken for vertebrate eyes. Here we used naïve domestic chicks as predators of artificial moth-like prey to test the hypothesis that both eyespots configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots. We found that when chicks approached prey straight on, eyespots configuration did not influence attack latency. Chicks that approached from either the left or the right, were slower to attack prey in which the central circle of the eyespot was centrally placed or shifted in the direction of the chick’s approach, compared to prey in which the central circle had been shifted away from the direction of approach. These findings suggest that eyespots composed of concentric circles may protect prey against predators approaching from a wider range of directions than eyespots composed of eccentric circles. They are also consistent with the idea that eyespots are mistaken for eyes, and are perceived to pose a lesser risk when their “gaze” is averted from the approaching predator.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.951967/fullantipredator defenseeye gazemimicrypredator-preyprotective colorationwariness |
| spellingShingle | John Skelhorn John Skelhorn Hannah M. Rowland Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution antipredator defense eye gaze mimicry predator-prey protective coloration wariness |
| title | Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| title_full | Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| title_fullStr | Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| title_short | Eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| title_sort | eyespot configuration and predator approach direction affect the antipredator efficacy of eyespots |
| topic | antipredator defense eye gaze mimicry predator-prey protective coloration wariness |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.951967/full |
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