Colour polymorphism and selective predation experiments
- 1 December 1974
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Biological Education
- Vol. 8 (6), 323-329
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.1974.9653973
Abstract
The significance of searching-image behaviour by predators in relation to visually polymorphic prey is outlined in relation to its possible role in maintaining these polymorphisms by frequency-dependent selection. A simple experimental design is described whereby innate preferences, selection for crypsis, and searching-image behaviour can be distinguished. Four experimental situations are described ranging from an artificial predator-prey relationship (humans as predators—dyed toothpicks as prey) to a semi-natural one (wild song thrushes as predators—artificial populations of live polymorphic snails as prey). The results suggest that “naive” predators may regularly form searching-images for a frequent prey type.Keywords
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