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.