Comparable cross-taxa risk perception by means of chemical cues in marine and freshwater crustaceans

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan M. Brooker ◽  
Danielle L. Dixson
Keyword(s):  
Resource Availability ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Predator Cues ◽  
Low Visibility ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Tropical Freshwater ◽  
Conspecific Cues

Rapid identification of predation risk and modification of subsequent behaviour is essential for prey survival. In low-visibility aquatic environments, chemical cues emitted by hetero- and conspecific organisms may be an important information source if they identify risk or alternatively, indicate safety or resource availability. This study tested whether ecologically similar shrimp from disparate habitats have a comparable ability to identify predators from a range of taxa based on chemical cues. Shrimp from both temperate marine (Palaemon affinis) and tropical freshwater habitats (Caridina typus) exhibited similar behavioural responses, avoiding chemical cues from predatory heterospecifics, showing no response to non-predatory heterospecific cues, and preferring conspecific cues. These chemical cues also affected habitat selection, with structurally complex microhabitats favoured in the presence of predator cues but avoided in the presence of conspecific cues. The ability to differentiate predators from non-predators irrespective of taxa suggests identification might be due to the predator’s diet. An ability to alter behaviour based on vision-independent perception of ambient risk is likely to reduce capture risk while allowing individuals to maximise time spent on essential processes such as foraging.

scholarly journals Periwinkle climbing response to water- and airbone predator chemical cues may depend on home-marsh geography

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5744 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Carroll ◽  
Morgan B. Church ◽  
Christopher M. Finelli
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Chemical Cue ◽  
Predator Cues ◽  
Littorina Irrorata ◽  
Spatial Refuge ◽  
Response To Water

The salt marsh periwinkle, Littorina irrorata, exhibits a spatial refuge from predation by climbing the stems of Spartina alterniflora in order to avoid benthic predators. Salt marsh periwinkles have a broad geographic distribution, and for many species, responses to predators also varies with biogeography. This study sought to determine if the geographical location of the home marsh influenced the response of periwinkles (climbing height) to blue crab predator cues both via air and water. Snails from Louisiana (LA) climbed higher in general than those from North Carolina (NC), regardless of chemical cue. However, LA snails climbed 11 cm higher in the presence of waterborne predators than control snails with no cue, while NC snails only climbed five cm higher in the same comparisons. Airborne chemical cue tended to have snails climbing at intermediate heights. These responses were significantly enhanced when both populations of snails were housed together. Periwinkle response to predator cues was stronger in LA than NC, and so it is possible that the behavioral response of these snails to predators varies with biogeography of the home marsh. Also interestingly, the results of this study also suggest that cue delivery is probably occurring via mechanisms other than water, and potentially via airborne cues. Therefore, salt marsh periwinkles likely respond to numerous cues that initiate behavioral responses, including airborne cues, and these responses may vary by home-marsh geography.

Predator chemical cues affect prey feeding activity differently in juveniles and adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley R. Johnston ◽  
Markus Molis ◽  
Ricardo A. Scrosati
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Nonconsumptive Effects ◽  
Predator Cues ◽  
Predator Effects

Nonconsumptive predator effects on prey behaviour are common in nature, but the possible influence of prey life-history stage on such responses is poorly known. We investigated whether prey life-history stage may be a factor affecting prey feeding activity responses to predator chemical cues, for which we used dogwhelks ( Nucella lapillus (L., 1758)) and their main prey, barnacles ( Semibalanus balanoides (L., 1758)), as a model system. Barnacles use their modified legs (cirri) to filter food from the water column. Through a manipulative laboratory experiment, we tested the hypothesis that the presence of dogwhelks affects the frequency of leg swipes differently in juvenile and adult barnacles. Juveniles showed a similar feeding activity with and without nearby dogwhelks, but adults exhibited a significantly lower frequency of leg swipes when dogwhelks were present. Such an ontogenetic change in the response of barnacles to predatory cues might have evolved as a result of dogwhelks preferring adult barnacles over juvenile barnacles, as found previously. Alternatively, barnacles could learn to recognize predator cues as they age, as shown for other prey species. Overall, our study indicates that the nonconsumptive effects of predators on prey need to be fully understood under consideration of the possible ontogenetic changes in prey responses to predator cues.

scholarly journals The challenge of restoring tropical freshwater ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinaldo Luiz Bozelli
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Tropical Freshwaters ◽  
Paris Climate Agreement ◽  
Tropical Freshwater

Abstract We are living a growing worldwide process of degrading the bases of sustaining life. In Brazil, this threat is intensified by the growing fragility of environmental protection structures. Ecological restoration is an alternative to face the degradation of aquatic environments. It has been employed on a larger scale in the developed regions of the planet, but with little convincing results. In Brazil, the experiences are few and specific, limited mainly by complexity and costs. It is necessary to think in a more agile way and act within the possibilities. The restoration with its classic strategies should give way to an “urgent restoration”. This approach considers that we have the basic ecological information and professionals able to act in the resumption of control of the ecological processes that have been altered. Restoration in the condition of urgency implies beginning to think of protection, as a first step, turning attention to the management of the watershed. The way to regain control of the process where it was lost is the integrated management that involves the rational use and protection of the ecosystem. Brazil’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement to restore 12 million hectares of forests and the restoration liabilities on private properties because of the recent Native Vegetation Protection Law are excellent opportunities to act in the integrated management of the river basin and to promote the protection of freshwaters by the restoration of native forests. The restoration of tropical freshwaters and especially the Brazilian ones is something urgent. However, possible solutions must be thought of and can only be constructed when one get involved most people related to the issue. The idea to be nurtured is that restoration involves thinking about the watershed because the threats are beyond the aquatic environment itself, the restoration then also needs to go beyond the aquatic environment itself.

scholarly journals Effects of mussels on nutrient cycling and bioseston in two contrasting tropical freshwater habitats

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 835 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Zieritz ◽  
Farah Najwa Mahadzir ◽  
Wei Ning Chan ◽  
Suzanne McGowan
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Tropical Freshwater

Three new genera representing novel lineages of Sordariomycetidae (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) from tropical freshwater habitats in Costa Rica

Mycologia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 865-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ferrer ◽  
A. N. Miller ◽  
C. Sarmiento ◽  
C. A. Shearer
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Tropical Freshwater

scholarly journals Simulating more realistic predation threat using attack playbacks

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8149
Author(s):  
Mukta Watve ◽  
Sebastian Prati ◽  
Barbara Taborsky
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Induced Responses ◽  
Neolamprologus Pulcher ◽  
Predation Threat ◽  
Predator Cues ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
Visual Predator ◽  
Predator Odour ◽  
Predator Behaviour

Use of virtual proxies of live animals are rapidly gaining ground in studies of animal behaviour. Such proxies help to reduce the number of live experimental animals needed to stimulate the behaviour of experimental individuals and to increase standardisation. However, using too simplistic proxies may fail to induce a desired effect and/or lead to quick habituation. For instance, in a predation context, prey often employ multimodal cues to detect predators or use specific aspects of predator behaviour to assess threat. In a live interaction, predator and prey often show behaviours directed towards each other, which are absent in virtual proxies. Here we compared the effectiveness of chemical and visual predator cues in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher, a species in which predation pressure has been the evolutionary driver of its sociality. We created playbacks of predators simulating an attack and tested their effectiveness in comparison to a playback showing regular activity and to a live predator. We further compared the effectiveness of predator odour and conspecific skin extracts on behaviours directed towards a predator playback. Regular playbacks of calmly swimming predators were less effective than live predators in stimulating a focal individual’s aggression and attention. However, playbacks mimicking an attacking predator induced responses much like a live predator. Chemical cues did not affect predator directed behaviour.

scholarly journals Seeing is believing: information content and behavioural response to visual and chemical cues

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1763) ◽  
pp. 20130886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco G. Gonzálvez ◽  
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Gironés
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Oecophylla Smaragdina ◽  
Visual Appearance ◽  
Predator Cues ◽  
Conflicting Demands ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Examination Time ◽  
Foraging Time

Predator avoidance and foraging often pose conflicting demands. Animals can decrease mortality risk searching for predators, but searching decreases foraging time and hence intake. We used this principle to investigate how prey should use information to detect, assess and respond to predation risk from an optimal foraging perspective. A mathematical model showed that solitary bees should increase flower examination time in response to predator cues and that the rate of false alarms should be negatively correlated with the relative value of the flower explored. The predatory ant, Oecophylla smaragdina , and the harmless ant , Polyrhachis dives , differ in the profile of volatiles they emit and in their visual appearance. As predicted, the solitary bee Nomia strigata spent more time examining virgin flowers in presence of predator cues than in their absence. Furthermore, the proportion of flowers rejected decreased from morning to noon, as the relative value of virgin flowers increased. In addition, bees responded differently to visual and chemical cues. While chemical cues induced bees to search around flowers, bees detecting visual cues hovered in front of them. These strategies may allow prey to identify the nature of visual cues and to locate the source of chemical cues.

scholarly journals Examining the Compellingness of electronic Low Visibility Taxi Charts

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Yeh ◽  
Joseph Jaworski ◽  
Suzanne Thomas ◽  
Andrew Kendra ◽  
Danielle Hiltunen
Keyword(s):  
Dwell Time ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Position Error ◽  
Objective Data ◽  
Perceived Utility ◽  
Low Visibility ◽  
Electronic Chart ◽  
Simulator Study ◽  
Visual Range ◽  
Different Levels

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the presentation of own-aircraft (ownship) position was compelling when presented on electronic low visibility taxi charts. Although airport charts showing ownship position have been in use for some time, ownship position was not available on low visibility taxi charts because these charts were not geo-referenced. Twenty Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) (10 flightcrews) participated in a simulator study in which they performed six taxi scenarios in three different levels of visibility (1200 Runway Visual Range (RVR), 600 RVR, 300 RVR) using an electronic chart application on an iPad. Ownship position was shown on the chart for half the scenarios. In one scenario, we simulated a position error. We collected objective data (taxi speed, taxi time, fixation and dwell time), and pilot opinions on the usability of the electronic chart application. The results showed that no incursions/excursions were committed. All flightcrews noticed the error in ownship position, when it occurred; in fact, they also noticed other errors in ownship position that were not planned as part of the experiment design. Captains looked more often at the electronic chart when ownship position was presented than when it was not, regardless of visibility conditions. Additionally, Captains’ percentage of fixations were almost equal between the electronic chart and out-the-window. Such behavior may reflect the perceived utility of showing ownship on the electronic chart and may be an indication of the compelling nature of that information source.

Chemosensory predator recognition induces defensive behavior in the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Cabido ◽  
Adega Gonzalo ◽  
Pedro Galán ◽  
José Martín ◽  
Pilar López
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Tongue Flick ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Low Visibility ◽  
Grass Snake ◽  
Chemical Stimuli ◽  
Anguis Fragilis ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Tongue Flicks ◽  
Coronella Austriaca

Many antipredator adaptations are induced or mediated by the ability of the prey to recognize chemical cues from the predator. This ability is particularly advantageous for organisms whose environment precludes the effective use of other sensory systems, such as fossorial lizards. We tested the ability of the slow-worm, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758, a semifossorial legless lizard, to detect and discriminate chemical stimuli arising from potential predators. We compared rates of tongue-flicks to swabs impregnated with scents from the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768), a sympatric predator, the grass snake (Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)), a sympatric but non-saurophagous predator, and the three-toed skink (Chalcides striatus (Cuvier, 1829)), a sympatric insectivorous, and thus innocuous, skink. Differential tongue-flick rates suggest that scents of smooth snakes were recognized by slow-worms. Moreover, scents of smooth snakes were quickly avoided and elicited defensive behaviors much more often than any other scent, suggesting that chemical cues are a reliable means of assessing the snake's presence. These chemosensory capacities would be evolutionarily advantageous to avoid predation by snakes and are likely to represent a component of the suite of adaptations associated with low-visibility habitats.

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