What is known and what is not yet known about deflection of the point of a predator’s attack

Abstract

Deflection occurs in predator-prey interactions where prey possess traits that influence the position of the predator's initial contact with the prey's body in a way that enhances the prey's probability of survival when attacked. As an anti-predatory defence occurring late in the sequence of an attack, deflection is an understudied but fascinating strategy involving a range of unusual adaptations in diverse prey species. Deflective traits have been postulated to be important to the defensive strategies of a range of organisms, but while evidence for its existence is quite variable among groups, we argue that previous research neglects some promising taxa. As a defence, deflection will probably play a crucial role in the behavioural ecology and evolution of both prey species and their predators; as such it warrants greater interest from zoologists. Here, we first summarise what is known about deflection from the current literature. We next offer predictions about the coevolutionary possibilities surrounding deflection, based on the benefits and costs experienced by prey and their predators. Finally, we outline the most interesting outstanding avenues for future research in the field of deflection and make novel suggestions as to how they could be usefully explored.

Conspicuous colours reduce predation rates in fossorial uropeltid snakes

“…This suggests that chickens can be deceived by the cephalic resemblance of the tail and direct their attacks towards the posterior regions, rather than towards the head as many predatory birds are known to do (Smith, 1973; Curio, 1976). Such a strategy that deflects attacks to the tail would also increase the handling time required to capture, kill and consume these snakes, making them unprofitable (Humphreys & Ruxton, 2018). Although we have not specifically tested whether deflection of attacks towards the tail increases handling time in uropeltid snakes, detailed observations on the sequence of events during predation of uropeltid snakes by junglefowls and peafowls indicate long handling time associated with deflected attacks towards the tail (Gans, 1986).…”

Grab my tail: evolution of dazzle stripes and colourful tails in lizards

“…Although camouflaging colours are typically drab, marks involving bright colours or strong contrasts are not uncommon in prey. One type of salient antipredator marks is deflective marks that manipulate where attacking predators aim their strikes (Poulton, ; Humphreys & Ruxton, ). By making the predator strike to a direction or body part that will increase the chance of successful escape (for instance, towards the tail of a prey that can escape towards the anterior direction; e.g.…”

“…Here, we test six explicit macroevolutionary hypotheses in lizards related to the concepts of redirection (caused by motion dazzle) and deflection. Since body stripes (Murali & Kodandaramaiah, , ) and colourful tail (Cooper & Vitt, ; Humphreys & Ruxton, ) have both been proposed to divert attacks to the tail and enable prey escape, we expect both of these colorations to be associated with caudal autotomy. Therefore, we ask whether (i) the absence of caudal autotomy is associated with the absence of stripes or colourful tail.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Conspicuous colours reduce predation rates in fossorial uropeltid snakes (v0.1)"

“…Manuscript to be reviewed these snakes, making them unprofitable (Humphreys & Ruxton, 2018). Although we have not specifically tested whether deflection of attacks towards the tail increases handling time in uropeltid snakes, detailed observations on the sequence of events during predation of uropeltid snakes by junglefowls and peafowls indicate long handling time associated with deflected attacks towards the tail (Gans, 1986).…”