EVOLUTIONARY PATHWAYS TO APOSEMATISM

Journal article

The theory of aposematism as an adaptive explanation of conspicuous attributes in unprofitable prey is outlined before the selective conditions favouring aposematism are considered. Two componnets of aposematism, unprofitability and warning signal, are distinguished. Unprofitability may be favoured by individual selection or kin selection, whilst warning signals may be favoured by individual selection, kin selection, or synergistic selection (with the latter likely to be very important). The details of predator learning and memory can critically affect evolutionary pathways to aposematism. -from Author

Authors: Guilford, T

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 835-841
• Publication date: 1990-01-01
• ISSN: 1146-609X
• Language: English
• Keywords: UNPROFITABLE PREY; APOSEMATISM; WARNING SIGNAL; SELECTION