Seasonal plasticity in anti-predatory strategies: Matching of color and color preference for effective crypsis.

ABSTRACT: Effective anti-predatory strategies typically require matching appearance and behavior in prey, and there are many compelling examples of behavioral repertoires that enhance the effectiveness of morphological defenses. When protective adult morphology is induced by developmental environmental conditions predictive of future predation risk, adult behavior should be adjusted accordingly to maximize predator avoidance. While behavior is typically strongly affected by the adult environment, developmental plasticity in adult behavior-mediated by the same pre-adult environmental cues that affect morphology-could ensure an effective match between anti-predatory morphology and behavior. The coordination of environmentally induced responses may be especially important in populations exposed to pred

SUBMITTER: van Bergen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6546441 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature