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http://ri.uaemex.mx/handle20.500.11799/65951| Title: | Visual Detection of Speckles in the Fish Xenotoca variata by the Predatory Snake Thamnophis melanogaster in Water of Different Turbidity | Keywords: | Hyla;population;ecology;info:eu-repo/classification/cti/6 | Publisher: | Plos One | Project: | 10;6 | Description: | The results of this study suggest that speckles on male X. variata are visual signals to potential predators such as the snake T. melanogaster. However, speckles are not a determining factor; snakes display a higher frequency of predatory behavior toward the fish, but their predatory behavior is influenced by water turbidity. Turbidity is considered a constraint that affects foraging in aquatic predators such as the snake T. melanogaster because it is involved in the visual identification of potential prey and capture success. Further experiments are needed to test the direct influence of snake predation on variation in sexual traits, such as the number of speckles on the flanks of male X. variata. Therefore, natural selection caused by predation may constrain the development of sexually dimorphic traits in X. variata, as suggested by other studies showing that male secondary sexual traits often increase the risk of predation Semi-aquatic snakes integrate visual and chemical stimuli, and prey detection and capture success are therefore linked to the display of visual predatory behavior. The snake Thamnophis melanogaster responds preferentially to individuals of the fish Xenotoca variata with a greater number of bright, colorful spots (lateral speckles) compared with those with a smaller number; however, water turbidity can reduce underwater visibility and effect the vulnerability of fish. In this study, we tested whether the presence of iridescent speckles on the flanks of male X. variata interacted with water turbidity to modify the predatory behavior displayed by the snake T. melanogaster.We predicted that in an experimental laboratory test, the snakes would increase the frequency of their predatory behavior to the extent that the water turbidity decreases. The snakes were tested at six different levels of water turbidity, in combination with three categories of male fish (with few, a median number of, or many speckles). The results showed that in a pool with high or zero turbidity, the number of speckles is not a determining factor in the deployment of the predatory behavior of the snake T. melanogaster toward X. variata. Our findings suggest that snakes can view the fish at intermediate percentages of turbidity, but the number of speckles in male X. variata is irrelevant as an interspecific visual signal in environments with insufficient luminosity. The successful capture of aquatic prey is influenced by integration between chemical and visual signals, according to environmental factors that may influence the recognition of individual traits. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (2865/2010, 2663/2013, 3589/2013SF |
URI: | http://ri.uaemex.mx/handle20.500.11799/65951 | Other Identifiers: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11799/65951 | Rights: | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 |
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