Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator
The ability of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) to protect themselves effectively from predation by birds has never been tested. They are equipped with glands producing chemical substances; moreover, some species show conspicuous coloration, which might suffice as an aposematic si...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Barbora Ďurajková Petr Veselý Ivan Hadrián Tuf |
| author_facet | Barbora Ďurajková Petr Veselý Ivan Hadrián Tuf |
| author_sort | Barbora Ďurajková |
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| description | The ability of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) to protect themselves effectively from predation by birds has never been tested. They are equipped with glands producing chemical substances; moreover, some species show conspicuous coloration, which might suffice as an aposematic signal. We evaluated the palatability of isopods to birds. We tested the responses of <i>Parus major</i> captured in the wild (and thus possessing some experience with common native isopod species) to the following isopod species: <i>Porcellio scaber</i> (native, inconspicuous), <i>Oniscus asellus</i> (native, moderately conspicuous), <i>Armadillo officinalis</i> (non-native, moderately conspicuous), <i>Armadillidium versicolor</i> (native, conspicuous), and <i>Armadillidium gestroi</i> (non-native, conspicuous). We compared bird responses to isopods with reactions to the <i>Blaptica dubia</i>, an edible roach very similar to isopods in size and appearance. Isopods were better protected from bird attacks than roaches; however, their color pattern did not affect the level of protection. Birds were able to differentiate isopods from the roach; in experiments, where we presented isopod and roach individuals together, the birds hesitated longer in attacking and observed both prey items for a longer time. Non-native species either profited from the generalization of the protection of native isopods or from neophobia. Some isopods elicited significantly more discomfort behavior in birds, suggesting differences in the chemical protection among the tested species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-804d623f87444fa097abf8c8130da5a8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-804d623f87444fa097abf8c8130da5a82025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116766210.3390/insects16070662Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian PredatorBarbora Ďurajková0Petr Veselý1Ivan Hadrián Tuf2Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech RepublicDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech RepublicDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech RepublicThe ability of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) to protect themselves effectively from predation by birds has never been tested. They are equipped with glands producing chemical substances; moreover, some species show conspicuous coloration, which might suffice as an aposematic signal. We evaluated the palatability of isopods to birds. We tested the responses of <i>Parus major</i> captured in the wild (and thus possessing some experience with common native isopod species) to the following isopod species: <i>Porcellio scaber</i> (native, inconspicuous), <i>Oniscus asellus</i> (native, moderately conspicuous), <i>Armadillo officinalis</i> (non-native, moderately conspicuous), <i>Armadillidium versicolor</i> (native, conspicuous), and <i>Armadillidium gestroi</i> (non-native, conspicuous). We compared bird responses to isopods with reactions to the <i>Blaptica dubia</i>, an edible roach very similar to isopods in size and appearance. Isopods were better protected from bird attacks than roaches; however, their color pattern did not affect the level of protection. Birds were able to differentiate isopods from the roach; in experiments, where we presented isopod and roach individuals together, the birds hesitated longer in attacking and observed both prey items for a longer time. Non-native species either profited from the generalization of the protection of native isopods or from neophobia. Some isopods elicited significantly more discomfort behavior in birds, suggesting differences in the chemical protection among the tested species.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/662antipredatory strategyaposematismwarning signal |
| spellingShingle | Barbora Ďurajková Petr Veselý Ivan Hadrián Tuf Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator Insects antipredatory strategy aposematism warning signal |
| title | Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator |
| title_full | Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator |
| title_fullStr | Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator |
| title_full_unstemmed | Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator |
| title_short | Function of Vivid Coloration of Terrestrial Isopods from the Point of View of an Avian Predator |
| title_sort | function of vivid coloration of terrestrial isopods from the point of view of an avian predator |
| topic | antipredatory strategy aposematism warning signal |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/662 |
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