This cycle of a predator and prey co-evolving is sometimes called an evolutionary arms race . In this case it results in the newts producing levels of toxin far in excess of what is needed to kill any other conceivable predator . This cycle of a predator and prey evolving to one another is sometimes termed an evolutionary arms race and has resulted in the newts producing levels of toxin far in excess of what is needed to kill any other conceivable predator .