Predation experiments with 3D-printed lizard models yield limited responses in pheasants
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | PeerJ |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://peerj.com/articles/20103/ |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20103 |
| Keywords | Predator-prey dynamics; Predation experiment; Hyperspectral imaging; Colour polymorphism; Replacement; Reduction; Refinement; 3R |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Animal colouration has been viewed as an adaptation shaped by both abiotic and biotic factors, balancing sexual attractiveness against predation risk. In studying predator-prey dynamics, using 3D models as prey surrogates is common, but material constraints can affect outcomes in both natural and seminatural settings. Here, we utilized 3D-printed models representing three colour morphs of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) to investigate interactions with captive-bred pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) utilizing forced exploration experiments in an outdoor arena fitted with a grass carpet. The models adequately represented the lizard colouration across a reflectance spectral range of 330–800 nm. Our findings indicate that the pheasants generally exhibited a minimal response to static models, with significant differences observed only in younger birds (7–12 weeks old), demonstrating a higher alert response than adults. No effects were found relating to the colour morph or sex of the lizard models. These results suggest that immobile 3D-printed prey models may be insufficient to trigger natural predator responses in this predator-prey system, highlighting potential limitations of static models in eliciting predator reaction. |
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