Novel predators emit novel cues: a mechanism for prey naivety towards alien predators.

ABSTRACT: Detecting enemies is crucial for survival and a trait that develops over an evolutionary timeframe. Introduced species disrupt coevolved systems of communication and detection in their new ranges, often leading to devastating impacts. The classic example is prey naivety towards alien predators, whereby prey fail to recognise a new predator. Yet exactly why native prey fail to recognise alien predators remains puzzling. Naivety theory predicts that it is because novel predators emit novel cues. Distantly related animals have distinct evolutionary histories, physiologies and ecologies, predicting they will emit different cues. Yet it also possible that all predators emit similar cues because they are carnivorous. We investigate whether odour cues differ between placental and marsupial carniv

SUBMITTER: Carthey AJR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5703908 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature