Running away or running to? Do prey make decisions solely based on the landscape of fear or do they also include stimuli from a landscape of safety?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky N. MacKay ◽  
Tyler C. Wood ◽  
Paul A. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Orthogonal Design ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Habitat Utilization ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Landscape Of Fear ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Aversive Stimuli ◽  
Antipredator Responses ◽  
Two Phases

Predator prey interactions are a key part of ecosystem function, and non-consumptive effects fall under the landscape of fear theory. Under the landscape of fear, the antipredator responses of prey are based on the spatial and temporal distribution of predatory cues in the environment. However, the aversive stimuli (fear) are not the only stimuli prey can utilize when making behavioral decisions. Prey might also be using attractive stimuli that represent safety to guide decision making. Using a novel, orthogonal design, we were able to spatially separate aversive and attractive stimuli to determine if prey are utilizing safety cues to navigate their environment. Crayfish Faxonius rusticus were placed in the center of a behavioral arena. Aversive stimuli of either predatory bass Micropterus salmoides cues or conspecific alarm cues increased along the x-axis of the behavioral arena. Safety cues (shelters) increased along the y-axis by decreasing the number of shelter openings in this direction. Crayfish were allowed two phases to explore the arena: one without the fearful stimuli and one with the stimuli. Linear mixed models were conducted to determine if movement behaviors and habitat utilization were affected by the phase of the trial and the type of aversive stimuli. Crayfish responded more strongly to alarm cues than fear cues, with only alarm cues significantly impacting habitat utilization. When responding to alarm cues, crayfish used safety cues as well as fear cues to relocate themselves within the arena. Based on these results, we argue that crayfish are utilizing a landscape of safety in conjunction with a landscape of fear when navigating their environment.

Single-host pathogen effects on mortality and behavioral responses to predators in salamanders (Urodela: Ambystomatidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1477-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Parris ◽  
Alison Davis ◽  
James P Collins
Keyword(s):  
Activity Level ◽  
Ambystoma Tigrinum ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Host Behavior ◽  
Anax Junius ◽  
Tiger Salamanders ◽  
Thermal Maximum ◽  
Antipredator Responses ◽  
Host Pathogen ◽  
Single Host

Pathogens can alter host behavior and affect the outcome of predator-prey interactions. Acute phase responses of hosts (e.g., a change in activity level or behavioral fever) often signal an infection, but the ecological consequences of host behavioral changes largely are unexplored, particularly for directly transmitted (i.e., single-host) pathogens. We performed three experiments to test the hypothesis that a pathogen, Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV), alters host behavior of Sonoran tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi Lowe, 1954) and enhances predation. In the first experiment, salamander larvae exposed to ATV experienced 48% lower mortality from dragonfly Anax junius (Drury, 1773) larvae than those in controls. Second, uninfected and infected larvae exposed to the nonlethal (caged) presence of predators did not significantly differ in their distance from the predator. Infected salamanders significantly increased their activity level relative to those in controls in predator-free conditions. Finally, ATV-infected larvae preferred significantly warmer temperatures than uninfected larvae, but larvae reared at the thermal maximum for the virus all died. High host activity level yet retention of effective antipredator responses likely benefits ATV because this single-host pathogen relies on host survival for transmission. Preference for warmer temperatures may be associated with the host response to pathogens and may help fight infection.

scholarly journals The role of sensory modalities in producing nonconsumptive effects for a crayfish–bass predator–prey system

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 680-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Clark ◽  
Paul A. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Predator Detection ◽  
Nonconsumptive Effects ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Rusty Crayfish ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Study Support ◽  
The Impact

The impact of nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) in structuring predator–prey interactions and trophic cascades is a prominent area of ecological research. For NCEs to occur, prey need to be able to detect the presence of predators through sensory mechanisms. The investigation of the role of different sensory modalities in predator detection has lagged behind the development of NCE-based theories. This study aimed to determine whether a hierarchy in the reliance upon sensory modalities exists in the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852) = Faxonius rusticus (Girard, 1852)) for predator detection and if this hierarchy is altered across different sensory environments (flowing and nonflowing environments). Rusty crayfish were exposed to largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède, 1802)) odor in either a flowing or nonflowing arena where behavior was recorded under different sensory lesions. Linear mixed models were conducted to determine the impact of lesions, flowing environments, and the interactive effects of lesions and flowing environments on the rusty crayfish ability to respond to predatory stimuli. Results from this study support the significance of sensory multimodality in the rusty crayfish for accurately detecting and assessing predatory threats. Results from this study also suggest a hierarchy in the reliance upon sensory modalities in the rusty crayfish that is dependent upon the environment and the location of rusty crayfish within an environment.

scholarly journals Epidermal ‘alarm substance’ cells of fishes maintained by non-alarm functions: possible defence against pathogens, parasites and UVB radiation

2007 ◽  
Vol 274 (1625) ◽  
pp. 2611-2619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P Chivers ◽  
Brian D Wisenden ◽  
Carrie J Hindman ◽  
Tracy A Michalak ◽  
Robin C Kusch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Information ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Uvb Radiation ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Saprolegnia Ferax ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Cell Production ◽  
Saprolegnia Parasitica ◽  
Alarm Substance Cells

Many fishes possess specialized epidermal cells that are ruptured by the teeth of predators, thus reliably indicating the presence of an actively foraging predator. Understanding the evolution of these cells has intrigued evolutionary ecologists because the release of these alarm chemicals is not voluntary. Here, we show that predation pressure does not influence alarm cell production in fishes. Alarm cell production is stimulated by exposure to skin-penetrating pathogens (water moulds: Saprolegnia ferax and Saprolegnia parasitica ), skin-penetrating parasites (larval trematodes: Teleorchis sp. and Uvulifer sp.) and correlated with exposure to UV radiation. Suppression of the immune system with environmentally relevant levels of Cd inhibits alarm cell production of fishes challenged with Saprolegnia . These data are the first evidence that alarm substance cells have an immune function against ubiquitous environmental challenges to epidermal integrity. Our results indicate that these specialized cells arose and are maintained by natural selection owing to selfish benefits unrelated to predator–prey interactions. Cell contents released when these cells are damaged in predator attacks have secondarily acquired an ecological role as alarm cues because selection favours receivers to detect and respond adaptively to public information about predation.

Herring schooling manoeuvres in response to killer whale attacks

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1540-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leif Nøttestad ◽  
Bjørn Erik Axelsen
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Antipredator Behaviour ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Antipredator Responses ◽  
Different Types

The antipredator behaviour of overwintering Norwegian spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) was investigated during repeated attacks by killer whales (Orcinus orca L.) in Tysfjord in northwestern Norway. The observations were made using a high-resolution (455 kHz) multibeam sonar. Ten different types of predator-prey interactions were recorded during 54 observed events (an average of one antipredator event every 3.9 min). Antipredator responses included "split," "hourglass," "vacuole," "bend," "dive," "herd," and "fountain." Large attacked schools demonstrated a different repertoire of antipredator manoeuvres than small ones and were less likely to be attacked. Despite being located in the vicinity of the whales, herring schools with a cross section exceeding 460 m2 were not attacked by killer whales. Attacked schools were significantly more circular (p < 0.0001) and had higher relative densities (p < 0.05) than schools that were not attacked.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distribution of gerrid (Heteroptera) and predation on microcrustaceans from a tropical shallow lake

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Domingos ◽  
M. S. Arcifa
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Ingestion Rate ◽  
Aquatic Insect ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Size Selectivity ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Adult Insect

Abstract Predator-prey interactions involving an aquatic insect and zooplanktonic prey of different sizes were investigated to quantify prey mortality exposed to predators. Laboratory experiments were undertaken with the young and adult gerrid Rheumatobates crassifemur to test predation and size selectivity on the cladocerans Daphnia gessneri, Ceriodaphnia richardi, and Bosmina tubicen. Population fluctuations and spatial distribution of the gerrid were also evaluated in a small and shallow Brazilian lake throughout 12 months in fortnightly samples. The insects were more abundant in the littoral (mean density 7.0 ± 1.2 ind.m–2) compared to the limnetic zone. The period with the highest densities was late January to June, in both zones. Predation by young instars on Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia was significant (mean ingestion rate of 1.3 ± 0.1 D. gessneri and 0.7 ± 0.1 C. richardi per predator per hour). Adult insect fed only the large-sized prey (mean ingestion rate of 1.0 ± 0.1 D. gessneri per predator per hour). Young gerrids have greater potential to prey on cladocerans than adults, and size selectivity occurred for both predators. Preference of adults by the larger prey is probably related to difficulties in manipulating smaller planktonic prey, such as Ceriodaphnia. Due to higher densities of insects in the littoral, higher predation on zooplankton in this zone is expected. This study does contribute to a better understanding of trophic interactions in tropical shallow lakes and is the first to investigate predation of a gerrid on cladocerans in laboratory experiments.

Variable predation risk and the dynamic nature of mosquito antipredator responses to chemical alarm cues

Chemoecology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maud C. O. Ferrari ◽  
François Messier ◽  
Douglas P. Chivers
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Antipredator Responses

scholarly journals Eco-evolutionary feedbacks link prey adaptation to predator performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 20190626 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Fryxell ◽  
Zachary T. Wood ◽  
Rebecca Robinson ◽  
Michael T. Kinnison ◽  
Eric P. Palkovacs
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Gambusia Affinis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Introduced Populations ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Average Body

Eco-evolutionary feedbacks may determine the outcome of predator–prey interactions in nature, but little work has been done to quantify the feedback effect of short-term prey adaptation on predator performance. We tested the effects of prey availability and recent (less than 100 years) prey adaptation on the feeding and growth rate of largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), foraging on western mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ). Field surveys showed higher densities and larger average body sizes of mosquitofish in recently introduced populations without bass. Over a six-week mesocosm experiment, bass were presented with either a high or low availability of mosquitofish prey from recently established populations either naive or experienced with bass. Naive mosquitofish were larger, less cryptic and more vulnerable to bass predation compared to their experienced counterparts. Bass consumed more naive prey, grew more quickly with naive prey, and grew more quickly per unit biomass of naive prey consumed. The effect of mosquitofish history with the bass on bass growth was similar in magnitude to the effect of mosquitofish availability. In showing that recently derived predation-related prey phenotypes strongly affect predator performance, this study supports the presence of reciprocal predator–prey trait feedbacks in nature.

scholarly journals Damsel in distress: captured damselfish prey emit chemical cues that attract secondary predators and improve escape chances

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1818) ◽  
pp. 20152038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oona M. Lönnstedt ◽  
Mark I. McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Alarm Cues ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Marine Predator ◽  
Chemical Alarm Cues ◽  
Prey Escape ◽  
Pomacentrus Moluccensis ◽  
Distress Vocalizations

In aquatic environments, many prey animals possess damage-released chemical alarm cues that elicit antipredator behaviours in responsive con- and heterospecifics. Despite considerable study, the selective advantage of alarm cues remains unclear. In an attempt to investigate one of the more promising hypotheses concerning the evolution of alarm cues, we examined whether the cue functions in a fashion analogous to the distress vocalizations emitted by many terrestrial animals. Our results suggest that chemical alarm cues in damselfish ( Pomacentridae ) may have evolved to benefit the cue sender by attracting secondary predators who disrupt the predation event, allowing the prey a greater chance to escape. The coral reef piscivore, the dusky dottyback ( Pseudochromis fuscus ), chemically eavesdrops on predation events and uses chemical alarm cues from fish prey (lemon damselfish; Pomacentrus moluccensis ) in an attempt to find and steal prey from primary predators. Field studies showed that Ps. fuscus aggregate at sites where prey alarm cue has been experimentally released. Furthermore, secondary predators attempted to steal captured prey of primary predators in laboratory trials and enhanced prey escape chances by 35–40%. These results are the first, to the best of our knowledge, to demonstrate a mechanism by which marine fish may benefit from the production and release of alarm cues, and highlight the complex and important role that semiochemicals play in marine predator–prey interactions.

CONVERGENCE IN THE FEEDING MECHANICS OF ECOMORPHOLOGICALLY SIMILAR SPECIES IN THE CENTRARCHIDAE AND CICHLIDAE

1993 ◽  
Vol 176 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Norton ◽  
E. L. Brainerd
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Bench Mark ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Feeding Modes ◽  
Pressure Profiles ◽  
Feeding Mechanics ◽  
Suction Index ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

We examined the hypothesis that fish species with similar ecomorphological patterns, but from different taxonomic groups, would use similar feeding modes. We contrasted the feeding behavior of Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) (Centrarchidae) and Cichla ocellaris (Block and Schneider) (Cichlidae), both large-mouthed piscivores with a locomotor morphology designed for fast acceleration, with Lepomis spp. (Centrarchidae) and Cichlosoma severum (Heckel) (Cichlidae), both small-mouthed predators on benthic invertebrates with a locomotor morphology designed for maneuverability. Pressure profiles in the buccal and opercular cavities were more similar for species that shared ecomorphological patterns than for species that shared phylogenetic histories. For small- mouthed predators, minimum buccal pressures were significantly greater and occurred earlier than the corresponding opercular pressures. For both large-mouthed predators, minimum buccal and opercular pressures were similar in magnitude and in timing. We developed the ram-suction index (RSI) to identify the relative contributions of ram feeding (i.e. predator movement) and of suction feeding (i.e. prey movement) to shortening the predator-prey distance during the strike. The RSI values for small- mouthed predators fell closer to the suction end of the ram-suction continuum than did strikes by the large-mouthed predators. The RSI provides a bench mark for evaluating the hydrodynamic consequences of intraspecific, interspecific and interprey variation in strike mechanics.

scholarly journals Non-classical phase diagram for virus bacterial coevolution mediated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (127) ◽  
pp. 20160905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pu Han ◽  
Michael W. Deem
Keyword(s):  
Phase Diagram ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Bacterial Population ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Extinction Probability ◽  
Exposure Rate ◽  
Parameter Region ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Predator Prey Model ◽  
Two Phases

CRISPR is a newly discovered prokaryotic immune system. Bacteria and archaea with this system incorporate genetic material from invading viruses into their genomes, providing protection against future infection by similar viruses. The condition for coexistence of prokaryots and viruses is an interesting problem in evolutionary biology. In this work, we show an intriguing phase diagram of the virus extinction probability, which is more complex than that of the classical predator–prey model. As the CRISPR incorporates genetic material, viruses are under pressure to evolve to escape recognition by CRISPR. When bacteria have a small rate of deleting spacers, a new parameter region in which bacteria and viruses can coexist arises, and it leads to a more complex coexistence patten for bacteria and viruses. For example, when the virus mutation rate is low, the virus extinction probability changes non-montonically with the bacterial exposure rate. The virus and bacteria coevolution not only alters the virus extinction probability, but also changes the bacterial population structure. Additionally, we show that recombination is a successful strategy for viruses to escape from CRISPR recognition when viruses have multiple proto-spacers, providing support for a recombination-mediated escape mechanism suggested experimentally. Finally, we suggest that the re-entrant phase diagram, in which phages can progress through three phases of extinction and two phases of abundance at low spacer deletion rates as a function of exposure rate to bacteria, is an experimentally testable phenomenon.

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