Avoiding Predators

Question 1

Crypsis

Answer 1

• avoid detection by blending into background
• can be non-color changing and color-changing

Question 2

Name examples of color changing crypsis

Answer 2

cuttlefish and chameleon

Moth experiment in color changing:
When moths given chance to chill on a white background vs patterned background similar to colors, they chose the colorful/pattern background to math cryptic behavior

Question 3

Describe the Blue Jay Experiment on crypsis

Answer 3

Movie on screen, moth on conspicuous background vs on cryptic background

Want to encourage blue jay to peck screen when sight of moth

Results show sightings more on conspicuous background

Note: there can still be additional traits to avoid being eaten when detected on cryptic background

Question 4

Startle effect

Answer 4

deters predation after being detected

bright coloration, sounds

There will be differences (polymorphisms); Prevents predators from forming search image

Question 5

Startle effect example: bright coloration/patterns

Answer 5

forewings reveal hindwings on moth (orange part of wings), throws off game of predator

Bird and Box experiment:
Box has various place-cards, the middle of the card has a mealworm
Place one card on box, with light, and record how long it takes for bird to snatch mealworm
Note: some look like eyes, delay time increases as the boxes look more like eyes (increase top to bottom of place-cards shown)

Question 6

Eyespots

Answer 6

items and patterns that look like a set of eyes on an organism, encourages the startle effect to ward off predators

Question 7

Example of startle effect: sound

Answer 7

Rattlesnake tail gives them(threat) time to get away

Question 8

Search Images

Answer 8

what predator will look for and go after, mental image predator creates (prevented by polymorphisms)

Question 9

Aposematism

Answer 9

• predator prevention
• Animal poses some type of warning in order to stay from predators
• Animals stand out, announce themselves to convince others they are distasteful or unpleasant to be prey

Question 10

Aposematism examples

Answer 10

Monarch butterfly example: coloration, eats milkweed plant that contains toxin, toxin carried when metamorphized to butterfly

Blister beetle: bright red colors on back, toxic chemical in blood
SkunK; warming coloration to most animals (not Ava lol)

Question 11

Batesian Mimicry

Answer 11

• looking like an organism that is extremely deadly or dangerous, when in reality the species in harmless

Question 12

Example of Batesian Mimicry

Answer 12

Milksnakes are not dangerous but look like a dangerous counterpart, the Coral Snake

Milksnake: red touches black, friend of jack
Coral Snake: red touches yellow, kill a fellow

Syrphid fly looks like wasps/stinging bug but no stinger

Monarch butterfly can make you sick, while Viceroy butterfly harmless

Question 13

What can development of false appendages do?

Answer 13

Animals develop characteristics that are not real, but help them stay safe

Question 14

example of use of false appendages

Answer 14

Structures on posterior Hairstreak look like attennae

Eyes on one side to keep a look out, false appendages on other to keep predator away

Question 15

How do contour markings prevent predation?

Answer 15

contour markings, especially in a group, confuses predators, breaks up the shape of animals in herd to stay safe

Creates doubt, confusion

Question 16

Example of contour markings in animals

Answer 16

Zebra!

Question 17

What are morphological adaptations?

Answer 17

Natural body defense mechanisms to prevent predation/harm

Question 18

Examples of morphological adaptations

Answer 18

Sharp quills that can shoot from porcupine

Armadillo have armored plate to roll up in face of danger

Question 19

What is Autotomy?

Answer 19

Break off body parts

Constricts blood vessels and can even break appendage to escape

Although they escape, has consequence for escaped prey

Question 20

Example of Autotomy

Answer 20

Leopard Gecko breaks tail off to get away from prey

(tail still moving, gecko gets away)

consequence: fat storage in tail, lose portion of fat storage