Phylogenetic comparative analyses of the determinants of anti-predator distraction behavior in shorebirds

Abstract

Predation risk exerts a strong selective pressure on anti-predator behavior, resulting in behaviors to achieve defense of offspring and the individual. In shorebirds, some species perform distraction behavior that is attracting the attention of a predator. This behavior evolved, and were lost multiple times, independently and the behavioral repertoire varies among species. Although defense of offspring is critical for parents, the determinants of inter-specific variation in the distraction behavior remain unstudied. We surveyed the literature and conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses (n = 169 species) to test predictions regarding nest site, body mass, and coloniality. We found that small species were more likely to perform distraction behavior than large species. Solitary species were more likely to perform distraction behavior than colonial nesting species. Previous studies suggested that colonial nesting and large species commonly perform aggressive anti-predator behavior, implying that distraction behavior is an alternative anti-predator strategy to aggressive ones.