The role of coat color polymorphism in behavioral defense against raptors
G. G. NAZAROVA, L. P. PROSKURNYUK
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals of the Siberian Branch of the RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: raptors, Arvicola amphibius, color polymorphism, seizures, anti-predatory behavior
Abstract
Predators are an important factor in population dynamics and evolution. They not only kill their prey, but also induce adaptive changes in morphology, physiology and behavior. The relationship between the coat color of water voles, Arvicola amphibius (Linnaeus, 1758), and the predisposition to seizures in response to tactile stimuli was studied. Convulsive behavior is believed to have evolved in evolution as a reflex reaction that protects against sudden capture by a predator. It was found that among brown individuals the proportion of those prone to seizures was significantly higher than among dark brown and black individuals. A comparison of the frequencies of individuals of different color phenotypes in the natural population and in the prey of raptors using published data showed that black individuals are easier prey for predators. The occurrence of convulsive seizures when captured by a predator can disrupt the stereotypical hunting behavior of the predator and increase the likelihood of survival of brown individuals
|
