Camera traps unable to determine whether plasticine models of caterpillars reliably measure bird predation.

ABSTRACT: Sampling methods that are both scientifically rigorous and ethical are cornerstones of any experimental biological research. Since its introduction 30 years ago, the method of using plasticine prey to quantify predation pressure has become increasingly popular in biology. However, recent studies have questioned the accuracy of the method, suggesting that misinterpretation of predator bite marks and the artificiality of the models may bias the results. Yet, bias per se might not be a methodological issue as soon as its statistical distribution in the samples is even, quantifiable, and thus correctable in quantitative analyses. In this study, we focus on avian predation of lepidopteran larvae models, which is one of the most extensively studied predator-prey interactions across diverse ecosy

SUBMITTER: Schille L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11884695 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature