Evolution of aposematism in prey with a
learning predator
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Evolution of aposematism in prey with a
learning predator
Aposematism is when a distasteful or poisonous
prey signals with a conspicuous pattern.
Predators learn to avoid these prey.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Evolution of aposematism in prey with a
learning predator
Aposematism is when a distasteful or poisonous
prey signals with a conspicuous pattern.
Predators learn to avoid these prey.
The initial evolution poses a problem:
Conspicuous prey individuals will be more easily
detected and killed. Then how can there be a
fitness benefit for these individuals?
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Some of the prey switch to a poisonous host plant, which
makes them distasteful.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Some of the prey switch to a poisonous host plant, which
makes them distasteful.
The predator evaluates the prey according to taste and
colour.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Some of the prey switch to a poisonous host plant, which
makes them distasteful.
The predator evaluates the prey according to taste and
colour.
A distasteful prey will give a negative impression and similar
prey will be avoided in the future.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Some of the prey switch to a poisonous host plant, which
makes them distasteful.
The predator evaluates the prey according to taste and
colour.
A distasteful prey will give a negative impression and similar
prey will be avoided in the future.
The reaction towards a conspicuous prey will be stronger
and more memorable.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17
Our model
The prey population has continuous colour variation around
a cryptic mean.
Some of the prey switch to a poisonous host plant, which
makes them distasteful.
The predator evaluates the prey according to taste and
colour.
A distasteful prey will give a negative impression and similar
prey will be avoided in the future.
The reaction towards a conspicuous prey will be stronger
and more memorable.
We simulated 400 generations each run.
Lund University /Dept. Of biology/ThePEG / Aposematism / 2011-03-17