Presentation Details
| Sexual ornaments do not impair predator evasion in stalk-eyed flies Comonla Acakpo1, Jason Vance2, Kayla Pehl2, John Swallow1. 1University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA.2College of Charleston, Charleston, North Carolina, USA |
Abstract
Sexually selected ornaments can impose biomechanical constraints on locomotion and potentially affect predator avoidance. In stalk-eyed flies, males possess elongated eyestalks that increase head width and may elevate rotational inertia during flight. Compensatory changes in wing and thorax morphology may offset these costs. We tested whether ornament size and compensatory morphology influence escape performance in response to a simulated predator.
We quantified evasive behavior and flight performance, measuring reaction time, velocity, and trajectory curvature. Individuals were categorized by response type (yaw vs. non-yaw), sex, and compensation status based on residual wingspan relative to eyespan.
Flies initiated escape responses within ~82 ms and frequently performed turning maneuvers. Despite males exhibiting ~41% greater eyespan, flight performance did not differ between sexes. Compensation influenced wing size but not escape performance. Response type showed a marginal association with reaction time.
These results suggest that exaggerated ornaments do not compromise escape performance
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
We quantified evasive behavior and flight performance, measuring reaction time, velocity, and trajectory curvature. Individuals were categorized by response type (yaw vs. non-yaw), sex, and compensation status based on residual wingspan relative to eyespan.
Flies initiated escape responses within ~82 ms and frequently performed turning maneuvers. Despite males exhibiting ~41% greater eyespan, flight performance did not differ between sexes. Compensation influenced wing size but not escape performance. Response type showed a marginal association with reaction time.
These results suggest that exaggerated ornaments do not compromise escape performance
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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