Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: To study unusual prey-predator relationships and generalize them to include behavior reversals and to find out whether they are actually role reversals or mere misnomers. Methods: Meta-evolutionary Analysis of various cases of role reversal e.g. plant parasitism, plant Carnivory, prey-predator role-reversal and cannibalism to find out their exclusive evolutionary advantages for the species involved. Findings: Most cases of role-reversal are, strictly speaking, not role reversals at all. Rather, such unusual prey-predator relationship is part of their natural method of survival or reproduction. The nomenclature of role-reversal on the basis of just their relative size is thus not proper. Santalum, wrongly designated as an obligate root-parasite is rather a self-sacrificing species for its evolution by purposive association without harming the host plants. Similarly, plant carnivory also is a kind of role-reversal, since plants are thought to be preyed upon by animals and not the converse. It is proposed that a proto-instinct has developed in these plants. Prey-predator role-reversals are studied most commonly under role-reversals, but we find that they may not be fit to be called role reversals at all, if that method is the part of the obligatory fulfillment of the survival and reproductive urges. Applications/Improvements: Generalization of role reversals to behavior reversals and their meta-evolutionary analysis.

Keywords: Cannibalism, Evolutionary Urge, Meta-evolution, Plant Carnivory, Plant Parasitism, Prey Predator Relationship, Role Reversal