伪装对于许多猎物的生存至关重要1,2,包括地面筑巢的鸟类3,4,5,6。通过背景匹配和破坏性着色(破坏身体轮廓的高对比度标记)进行的鸡蛋伪装通常是通过选择增强鸡蛋伪装1,2,3,4,5,6的底物在行为上介导的。然而,控制鸟类这种行为的机制仍然未知。几个,不是相互排斥的,已经提出了控制卵伪装的背景选择的机制7。这些包括个人背景偏好与卵子着色有遗传联系,通过从以前的繁殖尝试中学习卵的外观,或通过在生命早期的视觉背景上压印来修改7,在这里,使用捕食者视觉模型,我们比较了日本鹌鹑(Coturnixjaponica)卵的伪装,这些雌性被允许选择四种彩色底物之一3。鸟类被分为有经验的雌性,它们有机会观察它们的卵的外观,与幼稚的雌性第一次繁殖。我们的实验表明,育种经验可以改善卵背景匹配的背景选择。然而,破坏性着色的底物选择似乎是遗传决定的,因为两个鸟类群体都选择了能够增强卵破坏性的背景,无论经验如何。这些机制支持鸟类和其他动物优化伪装和避免捕食的行为。
Camouflage is vital for the survival of many prey species1,2, including ground-nesting birds3,4,5,6. Egg camouflage via background matching and disruptive coloration (high contrast markings that break up the body outline) is often behaviourally mediated by selecting substrates that enhance egg camouflage1,2,3,4,5,6. However, the mechanisms controlling this behaviour in birds have remained unknown. Several, not mutually exclusive, mechanisms have been suggested to control background choice for egg camouflage7. These include where individual background preferences are genetically linked to egg coloration, enabled through learning egg appearances from previous breeding attempts, or modified by imprinting on visual backgrounds during early life7, Here, using predator vision models, we compared the camouflage of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs among females who were allowed to choose one of four coloured substrates on which to lay3. Birds were divided into experienced females who had been given the opportunity to observe the appearance of their eggs, versus naïve females breeding for the first time. Our experiment revealed that breeding experience leads to improved background choices made for egg background matching. However, substrate choice for disruptive coloration appeared genetically determined, as both bird groups chose backgrounds that enhanced egg disruptiveness regardless of experience. These mechanisms underpin behaviours that are likely essential for birds and other animals to optimise camouflage and avoid predation6.