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Gawel L, Powell EC, Brock M, Taylor LA. Conspicuous stripes on prey capture attention and reduce attacks by foraging jumping spiders. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230907. [PMID: 38026030 PMCID: PMC10663800 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Many animals avoid predation using aposematic displays that pair toxic/dangerous defences with conspicuous achromatic warning patterns, such as high-contrast stripes. To understand how these prey defences work, we need to understand the decision-making of visual predators. Here we gave two species of jumping spiders (Phidippus regius and Habronattus trimaculatus) choice tests using live termites that had their back patterns manipulated using paper capes (solid white, solid black, striped). For P. regius, black and striped termites were quicker to capture attention. Yet despite this increased attention, striped termites were attacked at lower rates than either white or black. This suggests that the termite's contrast with the background elicits attention, but the internal striped body patterning reduces attacks. Results from tests with H. trimaculatus were qualitatively similar but did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. Additional exploratory analyses suggest that attention to and aversion to stripes is at least partially innate and provide further insight into how decision-making played out during trials. Because of their rich diversity (over 6500 species) that includes variation in natural history, toxin susceptibility and degree of colour vision, jumping spiders are well suited to test broad generalizations about how and why aposematic displays work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Gawel
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Erin C. Powell
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, 1911 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Michelle Brock
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lisa A. Taylor
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Rubin JJ, Kawahara AY. A framework for understanding post-detection deception in predator-prey interactions. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15389. [PMID: 37377786 PMCID: PMC10292197 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Predators and prey exist in persistent conflict that often hinges on deception-the transmission of misleading or manipulative signals-as a means for survival. Deceptive traits are widespread across taxa and sensory systems, representing an evolutionarily successful and common strategy. Moreover, the highly conserved nature of the major sensory systems often extends these traits past single species predator-prey interactions toward a broader set of perceivers. As such, deceptive traits can provide a unique window into the capabilities, constraints and commonalities across divergent and phylogenetically-related perceivers. Researchers have studied deceptive traits for centuries, but a unified framework for categorizing different types of post-detection deception in predator-prey conflict still holds potential to inform future research. We suggest that deceptive traits can be distinguished by their effect on object formation processes. Perceptual objects are composed of physical attributes (what) and spatial (where) information. Deceptive traits that operate after object formation can therefore influence the perception and processing of either or both of these axes. We build upon previous work using a perceiver perspective approach to delineate deceptive traits by whether they closely match the sensory information of another object or create a discrepancy between perception and reality by exploiting the sensory shortcuts and perceptual biases of their perceiver. We then further divide this second category, sensory illusions, into traits that distort object characteristics along either the what or where axes, and those that create the perception of whole novel objects, integrating the what/where axes. Using predator-prey examples, we detail each step in this framework and propose future avenues for research. We suggest that this framework will help organize the many forms of deceptive traits and help generate predictions about selective forces that have driven animal form and behavior across evolutionary time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette J. Rubin
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Akito Y. Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Grob R, Jundi BE. Insect navigation: Where to face when moving through space. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R100-R103. [PMID: 36750018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Ants perform oscillating scans of the environment during homing. A new study has shown that this scanning behaviour in ants is controlled by an intrinsic neuronal oscillator, which is modulated by both innate, and learnt visual cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Grob
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, 7941 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Basil El Jundi
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, 7941 Trondheim, Norway.
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Wilson VAD, Bethell EJ, Nawroth C. The use of gaze to study cognition: limitations, solutions, and applications to animal welfare. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1147278. [PMID: 37205074 PMCID: PMC10185774 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1147278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of gaze responses, typically using looking time paradigms, has become a popular approach to improving our understanding of cognitive processes in non-verbal individuals. Our interpretation of data derived from these paradigms, however, is constrained by how we conceptually and methodologically approach these problems. In this perspective paper, we outline the application of gaze studies in comparative cognitive and behavioral research and highlight current limitations in the interpretation of commonly used paradigms. Further, we propose potential solutions, including improvements to current experimental approaches, as well as broad-scale benefits of technology and collaboration. Finally, we outline the potential benefits of studying gaze responses from an animal welfare perspective. We advocate the implementation of these proposals across the field of animal behavior and cognition to aid experimental validity, and further advance our knowledge on a variety of cognitive processes and welfare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa A. D. Wilson
- Department of Comparative Cognition, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Comparative Language Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Vanessa A. D. Wilson,
| | - Emily J. Bethell
- Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Nawroth
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
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Rao D, Long SM, Tapia-McClung H, Salgado-Espinosa K, Narendra A, Aguilar-Arguello S, Robledo-Ospina L, Rodriguez-Morales D, Jakob EM. Visual signals in the wing display of a tephritid fly deter jumping spider attacks. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:286139. [PMID: 36478243 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Visual animal communication, whether to the same or to other species, is largely conducted through dynamic and colourful signals. For a signal to be effective, the signaller must capture and retain the attention of the receiver. Signal efficacy is also dependent on the sensory limitations of the receiver. However, most signalling studies consider movement and colour separately, resulting in a partial understanding of the signal in question. We explored the structure and function of predator-prey signalling in the jumping spider-tephritid fly system, where the prey performs a wing waving display that deters an attack from the predator. Using a custom-built spider retinal tracker combined with visual modelling, as well as behavioural assays, we studied the effect of fly wing movement and colour on the jumping spider's visual system. We show that jumping spiders track their prey less effectively during wing display and this can be attributed to a series of fluctuations in chromatic and achromatic contrasts arising from the wing movements. These results suggest that displaying flies deter spider attacks by manipulating the movement biases of the spider's visual system. Our results emphasise the importance of receiver attention on the evolution of interspecific communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Rao
- Instituto de Biotecnologia y Ecologia Aplicada, Universidad Veracruzana, 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Skye M Long
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Horacio Tapia-McClung
- Instituto de Investigacion en Inteligencia Artificial, Universidad Veracruzana, 91097 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Kevin Salgado-Espinosa
- Instituto de Biotecnologia y Ecologia Aplicada, Universidad Veracruzana, 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Ajay Narendra
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | - Luis Robledo-Ospina
- Instituto de Biotecnologia y Ecologia Aplicada, Universidad Veracruzana, 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Dulce Rodriguez-Morales
- Instituto de Biotecnologia y Ecologia Aplicada, Universidad Veracruzana, 91090 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.,Instituo de Neuroetologia, Universidad Veracruzana, 91190 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth M Jakob
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Rößler DC, De Agrò M, Kim K, Shamble PS. Static visual predator recognition in jumping spiders. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela C. Rößler
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellows Program Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
- Zukunftskolleg University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
- Department of Collective Behavior Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Konstanz Germany
| | - Massimo De Agrò
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellows Program Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
- Institute of Zoology University of Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Kris Kim
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellows Program Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
| | - Paul S. Shamble
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellows Program Harvard University Cambridge MA USA
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Bruce M, Daye D, Long SM, Winsor AM, Menda G, Hoy RR, Jakob EM. Attention and distraction in the modular visual system of a jumping spider. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:239722. [PMID: 33914032 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.231035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Animals must selectively attend to relevant stimuli and avoid being distracted by unimportant stimuli. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) do this by coordinating eyes with different capabilities. Objects are examined by a pair of high-acuity principal eyes, whose narrow field of view is compensated for by retinal movements. The principal eyes overlap in field of view with motion-sensitive anterior-lateral eyes (ALEs), which direct their gaze to new stimuli. Using a salticid-specific eyetracker, we monitored the gaze direction of the principal eyes as they examined a primary stimulus. We then presented a distractor stimulus visible only to the ALEs and observed whether the principal eyes reflexively shifted their gaze to it or whether this response was flexible. Whether spiders redirected their gaze to the distractor depended on properties of both the primary and distractor stimuli. This flexibility suggests that higher-order processing occurs in the management of the attention of the principal eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Bruce
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, French Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Daniel Daye
- Biology Department, 220 Morrill 3, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Skye M Long
- Biology Department, 220 Morrill 3, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Alex M Winsor
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, French Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Gil Menda
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ronald R Hoy
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jakob
- Biology Department, 220 Morrill 3, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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