Honors College Theses
Publication Date
4-17-2020
Major
Biology (B.S.B.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)
Faculty Mentor
Christian L. Cox
Abstract
Predator prey interaction are a major driver of morphological evolution. These interactions lead Mole skinks to use antipredator traits to avoid predation. The Mole skink uses decoy coloration to draw predatory attacks to less lethal parts of their bodies. We studied the difference in coloration of the decoy tail used by Mole skinks. We wanted to know if red or blue was the more beneficial autotomous tail color in open or closed habitat types. We found that the red tail color was the more effective decoy and that having a blue tail may be a liability in open habitats.
Recommended Citation
Heninger, Jamie R., "The adaptive benefit of decoy coloration depends on decoy color and habitat type" (2020). Honors College Theses. 468.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/468
