Cracks in the mirror hypothesis: high specularity does not reduce detection or predation risk

Some animals, including certain fish, beetles, spiders and Lepidoptera chrysalises, have such shiny or glossy surfaces that they appear almost mirror-like. A compelling but unsubstantiated hypothesis is that a highly specular or mirror-like appearance enhances survival by reflecting the surrounding environment and reducing detectability. We tested this hypothesis by asking human participants to wear a mobile eye-tracking device and locate highly realistic mirror-green and diffuse-green replica beetles against a variety of backgrounds in a natural forest environment. We also tested whether a mirror-like appearance enhances survival to wild predators by monitoring survival of mirror-green and diffuse-green replica beetles in a forested habitat and an open habitat. Human participants showed no difference in the detection probability or detection latency of mirror versus diffuse replica beetles, indicating that mirror-like appearance does not impair prey capture. The field predation e...部分动物（涵盖部分鱼类、甲虫、蜘蛛及鳞翅目（Lepidoptera）蛹）的体表具备极高光泽度，外观近乎镜面。一项颇具说服力却尚未证实的假说提出，高度镜面反射（specular）的外观可通过反射周边环境、降低自身被发现概率，从而提升生存几率。 为验证该假说，我们招募人类受试者佩戴移动眼动追踪设备，在天然森林环境的多样背景下，搜寻高度逼真的镜面绿与漫反射绿复制品甲虫。此外，我们还通过在森林生境与开阔生境中监测镜面绿与漫反射绿复制品甲虫的存活情况，探究镜面外观是否能增强野生捕食者环境下的生存优势。 人类受试者对镜面与漫反射复制品甲虫的发现概率及发现潜伏期均无显著差异，表明镜面外观并未妨碍捕食者的猎物捕捉行为。野外捕食实验结果……