The banded colour patterns of sea snakes discourage attack by predatory fishes, enabling Batesian mimicry by harmless species

Abstract

The evolution of bright 'warning' colours in nontoxic animals often is attributed to mimicry of toxic species, but empirical tests of that hypothesis must overcome the logistical challenge of quantifying differential rates of predation in nature. Populations of a harmless sea snake species (Emydocephalus annulatus) in New Caledonia exhibit colour polymorphism, with around 20% of individuals banded rather than melanic. Stability in that proportion over 20 years has been attributed to Batesian mimicry of deadly snake species by banded morphs of the harmless taxon. This hypothesis requires that banded colours reduce a snake's vulnerability to predation. We tested that idea by pulling flexible snake-shaped models through the water and recording responses by predatory fish. Black and banded lures attracted similar numbers of following fish, but attacks were directed almost exclusively to black lures. Our methods overcome several ambiguities associated with experimental studies on mimicry in terrestrial snakes and support the hypothesis that banded colour patterns reduce a non-venomous marine snake's vulnerability to predation.