Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech republic (map).
Behavioural ecology is currently a mainstream behavioural science based on the neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory. Therefore, its explanatory power sharply increases with the strength of selective pressure affecting studied behaviour. The ability to avoid dangerous organisms is, without any doubt, one of the most important preconditions for fitness in wild animals (e. g. Curio 1993). Perhaps most often, animals are confronted by their predators. However, not only predators may threaten animals. Unpalatable and poisonous prey represents an enemy as well.
Both the above-mentioned cases are connected with the necessity of reliable recognition of a potencial enemy that has to precede an efficacious response. Indeed, unrecognising of a dangerous animal can result fatally. On the other hand, the evaluation of a harmless animal as a threatening one handicaps as well. Above all, antipredatory behaviour is always costly keeping from other behavioural activities (e.g. feeding) at least. The active defence (escape as well as mobbing) depletes energy resource even more.
Wanna know more? See Background.