Dazzled by shine: gloss as an antipredator strategy in fast moving prey.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies on stationary prey have found mixed results for the role of a glossy appearance in predator avoidance-some have found that glossiness can act as warning coloration or improve camouflage, whereas others detected no survival benefit. An alternative untested hypothesis is that glossiness could provide protection in the form of dynamic dazzle. Fast moving animals that are glossy produce flashes of light that increase in frequency at higher speeds, which could make it harder for predators to track and accurately locate prey. We tested this hypothesis by presenting praying mantids with glossy or matte targets moving at slow and fast speed. Mantids were less likely to strike glossy targets, independently of speed. Additionally, mantids were less likely to track glossy targets and

SUBMITTER: Henriquez-Piskulich P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10516678 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature