Melanic color-dependent anti-predator behavior strategies in barn owl nestlings

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_C0D829A92A0D
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Melanic color-dependent anti-predator behavior strategies in barn owl nestlings
Journal
Behavioral Ecology
Author(s)
Van den Brink V., Dolivo V., Falourd X., Dreiss A.N., Roulin A.
ISSN
1045-2249
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2012
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
23
Number
3
Pages
473-480
Language
english
Abstract
The arms race between predators and prey has led to morphological and behavioral adaptations. Different antipredator strategies can coexist within a population if each strategy is the result of a trade-off with competing demands. Antipredator behavior can be associated with morphological traits, like color patterns, either because in the context of sexual selection, coloration signals the ability to avoid predators or because coloration is a naturally selected trait useful in avoiding predators. Because in the barn owl (Tyto alba), heritable eumelanic plumage coloration is associated with the glucocorticoid-dependent response to stress, we tested whether antipredator behavior is also related to this trait. Compared with small-spotted nestlings, individuals displaying larger black spots hissed more intensely in the presence of humans, feigned death longer, had a lower breathing rate under stress, and were more docile when handled. Cross-fostering experiments showed that the covariation between the spot size and the duration of feigning death was inherited from the biological mother, whereas covariation between spot size and docility was inherited from the biological father. Our results confirm that melanin-based coloration is associated with suites of behavioral traits, which are under both genetic and environmental influence. Coloration can thus evolve as a direct or indirect response to predation, but it can also be a signal of antipredator strategies to potential mates.
Keywords
animal personalities, melanin, natural selection, predation, sexual selection
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
26/11/2011 21:41
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:35
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