Can Vertebrate Predators Regulate Their Prey? A Reply

1987 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. C. Kidd ◽  
G. B. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Vertebrate Predators

scholarly journals The golden mimicry complex uses a wide spectrum of defence to deter a community of predators

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stano Pekár ◽  
Lenka Petráková ◽  
Matthew W Bulbert ◽  
Martin J Whiting ◽  
Marie E Herberstein
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Vertebrate Predators ◽  
Additive Influence ◽  
Multiple Species

Mimicry complexes typically consist of multiple species that deter predators using similar anti-predatory signals. Mimics in these complexes are assumed to vary in their level of defence from highly defended through to moderately defended, or not defended at all. Here, we report a new multi-order mimicry complex that includes at least 140 different putative mimics from four arthropod orders including ants, wasps, bugs, tree hoppers and spiders. All members of this mimicry complex are characterised by a conspicuous golden body and an ant Gestalt, but vary substantially in their defensive traits. However, they were similarly effective at deterring predators - even mildly defended mimics were rarely eaten by a community of invertebrate and vertebrate predators both in the wild and during staged trials. We propose that despite the predominance of less defended mimics the three predatory guilds avoid the mimics because of the additive influence of the various defensive traits.

scholarly journals Combining DNA metabarcoding and ecological networks to inform conservation biocontrol by small vertebrate predators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa A. Mata ◽  
Luis P. Silva ◽  
Joana Veríssimo ◽  
Pedro Horta ◽  
Helena Raposeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
Conservation Biocontrol ◽  
Vertebrate Predators ◽  
Small Vertebrate

scholarly journals Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (40) ◽  
pp. 24920-24928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Herzig ◽  
Kartik Sunagar ◽  
David T. R. Wilson ◽  
Sandy S. Pineda ◽  
Mathilde R. Israel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Evolution ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Sequence Conservation ◽  
Mating Season ◽  
Lethal Effects ◽  
Voltage Gated ◽  
Web Spider ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Defensive Role ◽  
Vertebrate Predators

Australian funnel-web spiders are infamous for causing human fatalities, which are induced by venom peptides known as δ-hexatoxins (δ-HXTXs). Humans and other primates did not feature in the prey or predator spectrum during evolution of these spiders, and consequently the primate lethality of δ-HXTXs remains enigmatic. Funnel-web envenomations are mostly inflicted by male spiders that wander from their burrow in search of females during the mating season, which suggests a role for δ-HXTXs in self-defense since male spiders rarely feed during this period. Although 35 species of Australian funnel-web spiders have been described, only nine δ-HXTXs from four species have been characterized, resulting in a lack of understanding of the ecological roles and molecular evolution of δ-HXTXs. Here, by profiling venom-gland transcriptomes of 10 funnel-web species, we report 22 δ-HXTXs. Phylogenetic and evolutionary assessments reveal a remarkable sequence conservation of δ-HXTXs despite their deep evolutionary origin within funnel-web spiders, consistent with a defensive role. We demonstrate that δ-HXTX-Ar1a, the lethal toxin from the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus, induces pain in mice by inhibiting inactivation of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels involved in nociceptive signaling. δ-HXTX-Ar1a also inhibited inactivation of cockroach NaV channels and was insecticidal to sheep blowflies. Considering their algogenic effects in mice, potent insecticidal effects, and high levels of sequence conservation, we propose that the δ-HXTXs were repurposed from an initial insecticidal predatory function to a role in defending against nonhuman vertebrate predators by male spiders, with their lethal effects on humans being an unfortunate evolutionary coincidence.

scholarly journals Chronic impacts of oil pollution in the sea: risks to vertebrate predators

2002 ◽  
Vol 241 ◽  
pp. 235-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
CH Peterson ◽  
L Holland-Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Vertebrate Predators

scholarly journals The effect of insect cyanoglucosides on predation by domestic chicks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcio Zikán Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Avoidance Behavior ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Predator Attack ◽  
Domestic Chicks ◽  
Ingestion Time ◽  
Vertebrate Predators ◽  
And Control

AbstractCyanogenic insects release cyanide and other byproducts that are thought to make them unpalatable to would be predators. In fact, aposematic Heliconius butterflies and Zygaena moths are rejected by vertebrate predators. Nevertheless, there have been few studies testing the effect of cyanoglucosides on vertebrate predation. Here I report tests undertook with captive domestic chicks in order to evaluate the effect of two chemically diverse cyanoglucosides, linamarin and prunasin. In insects as well as plants, cyanoglucosides are stored in vacuoles and are enzymatically broken down when the tissue is disrupted as in the case of a predator attack. Linamarin is an aliphatic that releases cyanide and acetone upon breakdown, while prunasin is an aromatic cyanoglucoside that releases cyanide and benzaldehyde. Using concentrations that mimicked the average concentration of a Heliconius butterfly, supplemented by test with higher concentrations, I ran a series of trials with naïve chicks by offering prey laced with chemicals. I categorized prey acceptance and compared the behavior of the predators towards test and control larvae. Prey coated with cyanide and benzaldehyde were significantly rejected by the birds, while acetone did not elicit avoidance behavior. Intact cyanoglucosides apparently were not detected by the predators, presumably because of fast ingestion time or lack of enzymes to breakdown cyanoglucosides. The rejection of cyanide laced prey confirm the protective nature of cyanoglucosides against a vertebrate predator. Additionally, the rejection of the pungent but not toxic benzaldehyde suggests that some species that store aromatic cyanoglucosides could be detected via smell as well by taste. These results provide support for cyanoglucosides as defensive chemicals of aposematic lepidopterans and related arthropods.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document