The functional basis for variable antipredatory behavioral strategies in the chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus.
J Exp Biol
; 225(10)2022 05 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35514228
ABSTRACT
To counterbalance demands of different selective pressures, many species possess morphological, physiological and behavioral specializations that increase survival in their environments. Predation is one such pressure that can elicit multiple adaptive responses, and the effectiveness of antipredator behaviors likely vary both by environment and individual across time. Chameleons use multiple antipredator strategies, many of which vary with body size and habitat type. Although their unique morphological and physiological traits produce relatively slow locomotion, which is poorly suited for fleeing, chameleons can also use crypsis or aggression to avoid predation. To examine the functional basis for variable antipredator behavioral responses, we subjected chameleons to a series of mock predation trials and determined how often individuals adopted each antipredator strategy, and then quantified the performance capacities underlying each strategy. In particular, we measured bite force as a determinant for aggression, sprint velocity for fleeing, and degree of color change for crypsis. We found that aggression was predicted by traits associated with higher absolute and relative bite force, as well as habitat type; fleeing was predicted by higher normalized sprint velocity and habitat type; and crypsis was predicted by habitat type, color change capacity in bird color space and the interaction between the two. These results illustrate the importance of considering both functional capacity and environmental context in antipredator behavior decision-making.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Lagartos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Exp Biol
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos