Data from: Pattern edges improve predator learning of aposematic signals

Edges are salient visual cues created by abrupt changes in luminance and color, and are crucial in perceptual tasks such as motion detection and object recognition. Disruptively colored animals exploit edge detection mechanisms to obscure their body outline and/or to conceal themselves against their background. Conversely, aposematic species may use contrasting patterns with well-defined edges to create highly salient, memorable warning signals. In this study, we investigated how the amount of internal pattern edge, colored area, pattern type or shape repetition of warning signals influenced avoidance learning in the triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus. Using six different warning signals, we found that fish learnt to avoid aposematic signals faster when they featured more internal pattern edge. We found little evidence that the amount of colored area or pattern type affected learning rates. An optimal amount of pattern edge within a warning signal may therefore improve how warning signals are learnt. These findings offer important insights into the evolution of prey warning signal evolution and predator psychology.边缘是由亮度与色彩突变所形成的显著视觉线索，在运动检测、物体识别等感知任务中至关重要。具有破坏性配色（disruptive coloration）的动物会利用边缘检测机制，模糊自身躯体轮廓，或是借此与背景融为一体以实现隐蔽。反之，具有警戒色（aposematic）的物种则会借助轮廓清晰、对比强烈的图案，打造出极具辨识度且令人印象深刻的警戒信号。本研究以尖吻扳机鲀（Rhinecanthus aculeatus）为研究对象，探究了警戒信号的内部图案边缘数量、着色区域面积、图案类型以及形状重复度对其回避学习行为的影响。我们使用六种不同的警戒信号开展实验，结果发现：当警戒信号拥有更多内部图案边缘时，扳机鱼能更快学会回避该类信号。本研究未发现足够证据表明着色区域面积或图案类型会对学习速率产生影响。由此可见，警戒信号中存在最优的图案边缘数量，可提升个体对该信号的学习效率。这些研究结果为猎物警戒信号的演化以及捕食者心理学领域提供了重要见解。