Indirect effects in predator-prey interaction: development and predation rates by immature Neoseiulus cucumeris increased by odour from its prey (Tyrophagus putrescentiae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1247-1256
Author(s):  
Xin-yao Gu ◽  
Guang-yun Li ◽  
Zhi-qiang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Tyrophagus Putrescentiae ◽  
Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Factitious Prey ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
Predation Rates

Predator-prey interactions have long been of great interest to ecologists. Although the direct consumptive effects have received extensive research, indirect influences of odour derived from their conspecifics and prey on predators have largely been underestimated and overlooked. In this study, the indirect effects of predator-prey interactions were determined with predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris and its factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae. The responses of immature N. cucumeris to mixed odour with their conspecifics and prey were determined in a laboratory experiment. Our results showed that the mixed odour with their conspecifics did not demonstrate any obvious influences on the survival rates, developmental periods, predation rates and activities of the predatory mites. Intriguingly, the predators prolonged their protonymphal stage and consumed more prey eggs when exposed to mixed odour with their prey. Our results indicated that the mixed odour with their conspecifics was weak and its influence was insignificant for this species, but the prey odour showed a signifcant influence on the growth and consumption rates of immature predators, which highlighted that the indirect influences of predator-prey interactions on the predator were substantial and cannot be neglected.

scholarly journals Assessing multiple predator, diurnal and search area effects on predatory impacts by ephemeral wetland specialist copepods

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Tatenda Dalu ◽  
Ryan J. Wasserman ◽  
Cristián J. Monaco ◽  
Amanda Callaghan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Ephemeral Wetland ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
Predation Rates

AbstractPredator–prey interaction strengths can be highly context-dependent. In particular, multiple predator effects (MPEs), variations in predator sex and physical habitat characteristics may affect prey consumption rates and thus the persistence of lower trophic groups. Ephemeral wetlands are transient ecosystems in which predatory copepods can be numerically dominant. We examine the interaction strengths of a specialist copepod Paradiaptomus lamellatus towards mosquito prey in the presence of conspecifics using a functional response approach. Further, we examine sex variability in predation rates of P. lamellatus under circadian and surface area variations. Then, we assess the influence of a co-occurring heterospecific predatory copepod, Lovenula raynerae, on total predation rates. We demonstrate MPEs on consumption, with antagonism between conspecific P. lamellatus predatory units evident, irrespective of prey density. Furthermore, we show differences between sexes in interaction strengths, with female P. lamellatus significantly more voracious than males, irrespective of time of day and experimental arena surface area. Predation rates by P. lamellatus were significantly lower than the heterospecific calanoid copepod L. raynerae, whilst heterospecific copepod groups exhibited the greatest predatory impact. Our results provide insights into the predation dynamics by specialist copepods, wherein species density, diversity and sex affect interaction strengths. In turn, this may influence population-level persistence of lower trophic groups under shifting copepod predator composition.

Chemically mediated effects of injured prey on behavior of both prey and predators

Behaviour ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Dickey ◽  
Thomas McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Refuge Use ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
Crayfish Species

AbstractWe examined the behavioral responses of aquatic snails (prey) and two species of crayfish (predators) following exposure to chemical cues from injured snails. Snail survival rates and crayfish capture rates were compared between cued treatments and controls. Snails (Physa gyrina) responded to chemical cues by significantly increasing refuge use (i.e. moving to the waterline, floating or crawl-out behavior). Despite their responses, use of refugia did not influence survival rates. Crayfish species differed in their responses to these same chemicals. Orconectes juvenilis became more active (including increased movements across the substrate and reaching up sides of aquaria). In contrast, the activity levels of Procambarus clarkii did not significantly change. Nevertheless, P. clarkii captured snails in less time than O. juvenilis, regardless of whether injured-snail cue was present, and the presence of these cues did not significantly influence capture times for either crayfish species. This study provides strong evidence that injury-released chemical cues can elicit behavioral responses from both conspecific prey and their predators, but found no benefits of response for either prey or predators. The complex interplay of effects makes it difficult to draw simple, general insights about the benefits of the responses for either participant during a predator-prey interaction.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FODDER MITES FOR MASS REARING OF THE PREDATORY MITES AMBLYSEIUS SWIRSKII AND NEOSEIULUS CUCUMERIS (MESOSTIGMATA, PHYTOSEIIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
L. P. Krasavina ◽  
О. V. Trapeznikova
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
High Density ◽  
Amblyseius Swirskii ◽  
Tyrophagus Putrescentiae ◽  
Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽  
Laboratory Conditions

In-lab rearing of the predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris on the fodder mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Carpoglyphus lactis has been assessed. The study was performed for species kept separately and together. All trials were carried out in 5-fold replications during 25 days at temperature 23–25 °C, the length of daylight of 18 hours, and relative humidity of 85–90 %. After 25 days, T. putrescentiae outnumbered C. lactis in 1.3 times while reared separately, and in 118 times in cases when they were reared together. After 25 days of rearing the predatory mites N. cucumeris and A. swirskii together the first one outnumbered the second one in 9.1 times while feeding on T. putrescentia and in 3.2 times while feeding on C. lactis. The possibility of in-lab rearing of N. cucumeris on both species of the fodder mites was shown, while A. swirskii feeding on T. putrescentiae demonstrated the increase of its density during first two weeks only. Neoseiulus cucumeris is more competitive than A. swirskii because it can achieve high density on different species of fodder mites. Different species of mites must be strictly isolated from each other during their rearing to prevent contamination.

scholarly journals Do Repugnant Scents Increase Survival of Ground Nests? A Test with Artificial and Natural Duck Nests

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Vanessa B. Harriman ◽  
Justin A. Pitt ◽  
Serge Larivière
Keyword(s):  
Human Hair ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Ground Nesting ◽  
Predation Rates

Ground-nesting birds typically experience high predation rates on their nests, often by mammalian predators. As such, researchers and wildlife managers have employed numerous techniques to mitigate nest predation. We investigated the use of scents as repellents to deter predators from both artificial and natural ground nests. Survival rates of artificial nests did not differ among six groups of substances (Wald ?2 df = 5 = 4.53, P < 0.48); however the chronology of predation among groups differed. A commercial Coyote urine based deterrent (DEER-D-TERTM), human hair, and Worcestershire sauce were depredated faster than the control (F4,5 = 40.3, P < 0.001). Nest survival of natural nests differed among those groups tested (Wald ?2 df = 2 = 11.8, P < 0.005); the eight mothball treatment decreased survival (Wald ?2 df = 1 = 11.5, P < 0.005), which indicated that novel smells may attract predators or result in duck nest abandonment when coupled with natural duck scent. Chronologies of predation events among treatment groups were not different for natural nests (F2,3 = 1.9, P = 0.22). These findings indicate an interaction between novel scents and predator olfactory cues.

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