Prey can detect predators via electroreception in air

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: England, Sam J.; Robert, Daniel
• 署名单位: University of Bristol
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-9105
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322674121
• 发表日期: 2024-06-04
• 关键词: caterpillars; larvae; lepidoptera; hymenoptera; frequency; responses; sharks; hairs

摘要

Predators and prey benefit from detecting sensory cues of each other's presence. As they move through their environment, terrestrial animals accumulate electrostatic charge. Because electric charges exert forces at a distance, a prey animal could conceivably sense electrical forces to detect an approaching predator. Here, we report such a case of a terrestrial animal detecting its predators by electroreception. We show that predatory wasps are charged, thus emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Furthermore, the mechanosensory setae of caterpillars are deflected by these electrostatic forces and are tuned to the wingbeat frequency of their insect predators. This ability unveils a dimension of the sensory interactions between prey and predators and is likely widespread among terrestrial animals. Significance Our study reveals the finding that some terrestrial animals can detect the electric field emanating from their electrostatically charged predators and use this sense to initiate defensive behaviors. By reporting electroreception in terrestrial predator-prey interactions, our study stands to significantly advance our understanding of animal sensory systems and predator-prey dynamics. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mechanosensory hairs of caterpillars exhibit an electromechanical resonance to the wingbeat frequency of flying predatory insects, which points to this electrical ecological interaction applying a selection pressure, resulting in the evolution of tuned electroreceptive systems. Therefore, our finding provides direct evidence for a driver of evolution by natural selection: ecologically relevant static electricity.