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Predator-based selection and the impact of edge sympatry on components of coral snake mimicry

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A Correction to this article was published on 21 February 2022

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Abstract

Mimicry is a vivid example of how predator-driven selection can impact phenotypic diversity, which itself can be influenced by the presence (sympatry) or absence (allopatry) of a dangerous model. However, the impact of sympatry and allopatry on predation on mimicry systems at fine spatial scales (e.g., edge sympatry, allopatry) is not well understood. We studied mimicry in a montane tropical site in Honduras with an abrupt elevational gradient where coral snakes and mimics exist in close sympatry and allopatry. Specifically, we used clay replicas to test the impact of edge sympatry on (1) overall attack rates, (2) the fitness benefit of mimetic coloration, and (3) predation on specific mimetic signal components. Unlike previous research, we found that mimetic phenotypes received significantly more attacks than cryptic replicas in edge sympatry, suggesting that mimetic phenotypes might not confer a fitness benefit in areas of edge sympatry. Additionally, we documented temporal variation in predator-based selection, as the impacts of allopatry on predatory attacks varied among years. Our results imply that the effect of sympatry and allopatry on predator-based selection in mimicry systems may be more complex than previously thought for species-rich assemblies of coral snakes and their mimics in the montane tropics.

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Data available through Dryad at: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pnvx0k6kv

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mairéad Corr, Maddy Blunt, Georgina Davey, Hunter McCall, Rodrigo Morales, Harry-Pym Davis, and Chris Phipps for field assistance. Declan Crace and Tom Martin were instrumental in the design and implementation of this research. We thank the Department of Biology and Graduate Student Organization at Georgia Southern University and Operation Wallacea for supporting this project. Our sincere gratitude is extended to Lance McBrayer, Adam Rosso, Albert Chung, and Scott Meyer for advice during this project.

Funding

This work was supported by Operation Wallacea and Georgia Southern University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA

    Lauren Wilson, John David Curlis, Elizabeth A. Hunter & Christian L. Cox

  2. University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

    George Lonsdale

  3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    John David Curlis

  4. Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Christian L. Cox

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  1. Lauren Wilson
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  5. Christian L. Cox
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Contributions

LW participated in the design of the study, collected field data, carried out statistical analyses, and drafted the manuscript; GL participated in the design of the study, aided in field work, and revised the manuscript; JDC participated in the design of the study, collected field data, and revised the manuscript; EH aided in statistical analyses and critically revised the manuscript, CC conceived of the study, designed the study, coordinated the study, and critically revised the manuscript. All authors gave final approval for publication and agree to be held accountable for the work performed therein.

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Correspondence to Lauren Wilson.

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The original version of this article was revised: The texts “Data will be deposited at Dryad upon acceptance” under Data availability section was updated as “Data available through Dryad at: doi:10.5061/dryad.pnvx0k6kv”.

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Wilson, L., Lonsdale, G., Curlis, J.D. et al. Predator-based selection and the impact of edge sympatry on components of coral snake mimicry. Evol Ecol 36, 135–149 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10143-8

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