Age and appearance shape behavioral responses of phasmids in a dynamic environment

Pohl, Sebastian and Bungum, Haaken Z. and Lee, Kenneth E. M. and Bin Sani, Mohamad Azlin and Poh, Yan H. and Abd Wahab, Rodzay bin Hj and Norma-Rashid, Y. and Tan, Eunice J. (2022) Age and appearance shape behavioral responses of phasmids in a dynamic environment. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9. ISSN 2296-701X, DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.767940.

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Abstract

Although morphological adaptations leading to crypsis or mimicry have been studied extensively, their interaction with particular behaviors to avoid detection or recognition is understudied. Yet animal behaviors interact with morphology to reduce detection risk, and the level of protection conferred likely changes according to the surrounding environment. Apart from providing a locational cue for predators, prey motion can also serve as concealing behavior in a dynamic environment to prevent detection by potential predators or prey. Phasmids are conventionally known to rely on their adaptive resemblance to plant parts for protection, and this resemblance may vary across life stages and species. However, little is known about how their behaviors interact with their appearance and their environment. We investigated two species of phasmids with varying morphology and color patterns at different ontogenetic stages and examined their behavioral responses to a wind stimulus as a proxy for a dynamic environment. While adult behaviors were mostly species-specific, behavioral responses of nymphs varied with appearance and environmental condition. Display of different behaviors classified as revealing was positively correlated, while the display of concealing behaviors, except for swaying, was mostly negatively correlated with other behaviors. Exhibition of specific behaviors varied with appearance and environmental condition, suggesting that these behavioral responses could help reduce detection or recognition cues. We discuss the differences in behavioral responses in the context of how the behaviors could reveal or conceal the phasmids from potential predators. Our results provide a novel investigation into adaptive resemblance strategies of phasmids through the interaction of behavior and morphology, and highlight the importance of considering the effects of dynamic environments on sending and receiving cues.

Item Type: Article
Funders: None
Uncontrolled Keywords: Adaptive resemblance; Calvisia flavopennis; Crypsis; Lonchodes brevipes; Motion masquerade; Phasmatodea
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 01 Aug 2022 02:55
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2022 02:55
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/33467

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