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Evidence for Apostatic Selection by Predators using Olfactory Cues

Nature volume 241, pages 62–64 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

MANY visual predators hunt in a frequency-dependent manner, and can actively maintain colour polymorphisms in their prey1–3. These predators tend to concentrate on common varieties of prey, and to overlook rarer forms even if they are obvious. This type of behaviour is responsible for apostatic selection3, and has been interpreted as being due to the formation of “specific searching images”4–6.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Caernarvonshire

    I. D. SOANE

  2. Department of Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

    B. CLARKE

Authors
  1. I. D. SOANE
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  2. B. CLARKE
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SOANE, I., CLARKE, B. Evidence for Apostatic Selection by Predators using Olfactory Cues. Nature 241, 62–64 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/241062a0

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