caa a22 4500 606193219 CHVBK 20210128100908.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20150101xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10682-014-9739-2 doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10682-014-9739-2 Red tails are effective decoys for avian predators [Elektronische Daten] [Belén Fresnillo, Josabel Belliure, José Cuervo] The decoy or deflection hypothesis, which states that conspicuous colouration is present in non-vital parts of the body to divert attacks from head and trunk, thus increasing survival probability, is a possible explanation for the presence of such colouration in juveniles of non-aposematic species. To test this hypothesis we made plasticine and plaster lizard models of two colour morphs, red or dark-and-light striped tails, based on the colouration of spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) hatchlings, which naturally show a dark-and-light striped dorsal pattern and red tail. Lizard models were placed in the field and also presented to captive common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), a common avian lizard predator. The number of attacks and the body part attacked (tail or rest-of-body) were recorded, as well as the latency to attack. Our results suggest that models of both colour morphs were recognized as prey and attacked at a similar rate, but in the field, red-tailed models were detected, and thus attacked, sooner than striped-tailed. Despite this increase in detection rate by predators, red-tailed models effectively diverted attacks to the tail from the more vulnerable body parts, thus supporting the decoy hypothesis. Greater fitness benefits of attack diversion to the tail compared to the costs of increased detection rate by predators would explain the evolution and maintenance of red tail colouration in lizards. Springer International Publishing Switzerland, 2014 Acanthodactylus erythrurus nationallicence Attack diversion nationallicence Predator-prey interaction nationallicence Evolution of signals nationallicence Fresnillo Belén Ecology Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, University Campus, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain aut Belliure Josabel Ecology Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, University Campus, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain aut Cuervo José Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain aut Evolutionary Ecology Springer International Publishing 29/1(2015-01-01), 123-135 0269-7653 29:1<123 2015 29 10682 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-014-9739-2 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-014-9739-2 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Fresnillo Belén Ecology Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, University Campus, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Belliure Josabel Ecology Section, Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, University Campus, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Cuervo José Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Evolutionary Ecology Springer International Publishing 29/1(2015-01-01), 123-135 0269-7653 29:1<123 2015 29 10682