Population differences in predation on Batesian mimics in allopatry with their model: selection against mimics is strongest when they are common
Population differences in predation on Batesian mimics in allopatry with their model: selection against mimics is strongest when they are common
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DOI：
10.1007/s00265-006-0278-x
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发表时间：
2007-02-01
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
Pfennig, Karin S.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Pfennig, David W.;Harper, George R., Jr.;Pfennig, Karin S.
当一个可口的物种，"模仿者"，类似于一个危险的物种，"模型"，因为两者都受到保护，免受捕食。然而，这种保护应该在没有模型的地方被打破，因为在这些地区的捕食者不会被选择来避免模型。在这里，我们测试这一预测在珊瑚蛇拟态复杂。我们暴露的橡皮泥复制品的奶蛇，密切模仿珊瑚蛇的天敌，以确定是否好的模仿奶蛇优先攻击异地与他们的模型。此外，我们评估了对这些复制品的攻击率是否在三个不同的异地区域之间变化，这些异地区域在当地发现的模拟物类型上不同（即，好的模仿、差的模仿或没有模仿）。当这三个区域被放在一起考虑时，拟态动物并没有被优先攻击。然而，当对区域进行单独分析时，只有在发现好的模仿者的情况下，对模仿者的攻击才显著大于随机性。后定的）捕食。在有好的拟态动物存在的异域区域，捕食者可能已经学会或进化出了对经常遇到的显眼、可口的猎物的偏好。相比之下，在没有好的模仿者的异域地区，捕食者可能没有学习或进化出对新表型的偏好。因此，当捕食是频率依赖性的，只要良好的模仿是罕见的，他们可能不会经历高水平的捕食在异地与他们的模型所预测的Baidu拟态假说。
Batesian mimicry evolves when a palatable species, the "mimic," resembles a dangerous species, the "model," because both receive protection from predation. Yet, this protection should break down where the model is absent, because predators in such areas would not be under selection to avoid the model. Here, we test this prediction in a coral snake mimicry complex. We exposed plasticine replicas of milk snakes that closely mimic coral snakes to natural predators to determine if good mimetic milk snakes are preferentially attacked in allopatry with their model. Moreover, we evaluated whether attack rates on these replicas varied among three different allopatric regions that differed in the type of mimic found locally (i.e., good mimic, poor mimic, or no mimic). When all three regions were considered together, mimics were not preferentially attacked. When regions were analyzed separately, however, attacks on mimics were significantly greater than randomness only where good mimics were found. These variable levels of predation on good mimics might reflect frequency-dependent (i.e., apostatic) predation. In allopatric regions where good mimics are present, predators might have learned or evolved preferences for conspicuous, palatable prey that they encounter frequently. By contrast, in allopatric regions where good mimics are absent, predators might not have learned or evolved preferences for novel phenotypes. Thus, when predation is frequency-dependent, as long as good mimics are rare, they might not experience elevated levels of predation in allopatry with their model as predicted by the Batesian mimicry hypothesis.