Abstract
IntroductionAposematism is a defense system against predators consisting of the toxicity warning using conspicuous coloration. If the toxin production and aposematic coloration is costly, only individuals in good physical condition could simultaneously produce abundant poison and striking coloration. In such cases, the aposematic coloration not only indicates that the animal is toxic, but also the toxicity level of individuals. The costs associated with the production of aposematic coloration would ensure that individuals honestly indicate their toxicity levels. In the present study, we examine the hypothesis that a positive correlation exists between the brightness of warning coloration and toxicity level using as a model the paper wasp (Polistes dominula).ResultsWe collected wasps from 30 different nests and photographed them to measure the brightness of warning coloration in the abdomen. We also measured the volume of the poison gland, as well as the length, and the width of the abdomen. The results show a positive relationship between brightness and poison-gland size, which remained positive even after controlling for the body size and abdomen width.ConclusionThe results suggest that the coloration pattern of these wasps is a true sign of toxicity level: wasps with brighter colors are more poisonous (they have larger poison glands).
Highlights
Aposematism is a defense system against predators consisting of the toxicity warning using conspicuous coloration
The results suggest that the coloration pattern of these wasps is a true sign of toxicity level: wasps with brighter colors are more poisonous
If the toxin production and aposematic coloration is demanding, only individuals in good physical condition can simultaneously sustain the production of abundant poison and striking coloration [15]
Summary
Aposematism is a defense system against predators consisting of the toxicity warning using conspicuous coloration. If the toxin production and aposematic coloration is costly, only individuals in good physical condition could simultaneously produce abundant poison and striking coloration In such cases, the aposematic coloration indicates that the animal is toxic, and the toxicity level of individuals. Becoming and remaining toxic is likely to be costly for individuals, due to costs associated with the production or storage of the toxin [6] In this case, once predators have learned to avoid aposematic prey coloration, an individual would benefit from having aposematic coloration and if the toxin production and aposematic coloration is demanding, only individuals in good physical condition can simultaneously sustain the production of abundant poison and striking coloration [15]. There is evidence of intraspecific variation in levels of aposematic coloration [18], there are few studies that relate the characteristics of the coloring, such as the brightness, with the poison amount [15,17]
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