The re-emergence of felid camouflage with the decay of predator recognition in deer under relaxed selection.

ABSTRACT: When a previously common predator disappears owing to local extinction, the strong source of natural selection on prey to visually recognize that predator becomes relaxed. At present, we do not know the extent to which recognition of a specific predator is generalized to similar looking predators or how a specific predator-recognition cue, such as coat pattern, degrades under prolonged relaxed selection. Using predator models, we show that deer exhibit a more rapid and stronger antipredator response to their current predator, the puma, than to a leopard displaying primitive rosettes similar to a locally extinct predator, an early jaguar. Presentation of a novel tiger with a striped coat engendered an intermediate speed of predator recognition and strength of antipredator behaviour. Respons

SUBMITTER: Stankowich T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1685856 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature