Predation Tactics of Trumpetfish in Midwater

Auster, Peter J.

doi:10.1590/s1679-62252008000200018

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…Sphyraena barracuda (TL = 4.50 and positive PC1 axis) is a large predator that has a strong bite and uses the rapid acceleration of its body to capture its prey (Grubich et al, 2008). Similar behaviour has been observed in hunting and capture tactics in trumpetfish (order Syngnathiformes, TL = 4.43-4.50) (Auster, 2008;Tegge et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Community‐scale relationships between body shape and trophic ecology in tropical demersal marine fish of northeast Brazil

Reis-Júnior

Bertrand

Frédou

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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Functional morphology investigates the relationships between morphological characters and external factors, such as environmental, physical and ecological features.Here, we evaluate the functional relationships between body shape and trophic ecology of a tropical demersal marine fish community using geometric morphometrics techniques and modelling, hypothesizing that shape variables could partially explain fish trophic level. Fish were collected over the continental shelf of northeast Brazil (4-9 S). Analysed fish were distributed into 14 orders, 34 families and 72 species. Each individual was photographed in lateral view, and 18 landmarks were distributed along the body. A principal component analysis (PCA) applied on morphometric indices revealed that fish body elongation and fin base shape were the main axes of variation explaining the morphology. Low trophic levels (herbivore and omnivore) are characterized by deep bodies and longer dorsal and anal fin bases, while predators present elongated bodies and narrow fin bases. Fin position (dorsal and anal fins) on the fish body is another important factor contributing to (i) body stability at high velocity (top predators) or (ii) manoeuvrability (low trophic levels). Using multiple linear regression, we verified that 46% of trophic level variability could be explained by morphometric variables, with trophic level increasing with body elongation and size. Interestingly, intermediate trophic categories (e.g., low predators) presented morphological divergence for a given trophic level. Our results, which can likely be expanded to other tropical and nontropical systems, show that morphometric approaches can provide important insights into fish functional characteristics, especially in trophic ecology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Community‐scale relationships between body shape and trophic ecology in tropical demersal marine fish of northeast Brazil

Reis-Júnior

Bertrand

Frédou

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Predators may seek opportunities to capture prey when their vigilance is compromised [30,31]. Such opportunistic behaviour has been described in trumpetfish ( Aulostomus maculatus ), cornetfish ( Fistularia commersonii ) and lizardfish ( Synodus variegatus ), when foraging for small reef fishes [11,12,31–33]. When avoidance behaviour fails, then a prey’s survival may require an evasive manoeuvre.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The persistent-predation strategy of the red lionfish ( Pterois volitans )

Peterson

McHenry

2022

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The pursuit of prey is vital to the biology of a predator and many aspects of predatory behaviour are well-studied. However, it is unclear how a pursuit can be effective when the prey is faster than a non-cryptic predator. Using kinematic measurements, we considered the strategy of red lionfish ( Pterois volitans ) as they pursued a faster prey fish ( Chromis viridis ) under laboratory conditions. Despite swimming about half as fast as C. viridis , lionfish succeeded in capturing prey in 61% of our experiments. This successful pursuit behaviour was defined by three critical characteristics. First, lionfish targeted C. viridis with pure pursuit by adjusting their heading towards the prey’s position and not the anticipated point of interception. Second, lionfish pursued prey with uninterrupted motion. By contrast, C. viridis moved intermittently with variation in speed that included slow swimming. Such periods allowed lionfish to close the distance to a prey and initiate a suction-feeding strike at a relatively close distance (less than 9 cm). Finally, lionfish exhibited a high rate of strike success, capturing prey in 74% of all strikes. These characteristics comprise a behaviour that we call the ‘persistent-predation strategy’, which may be exhibited by a diversity of predators with relatively slow locomotion.

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Spatial clustering of trumpetfish shadowing behaviour in the Caribbean Sea revealed by citizen science

2022

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The West Atlantic trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) performs an unusual hunting strategy, termed shadowing, whereby a trumpetfish swims closely behind or next to another ‘host’ species to facilitate the capture of prey. Despite trumpetfish being observed throughout the Caribbean, observations of this behaviour appear to be concentrated to a handful of localities. Here we assess the degree of geographical clustering of shadowing behaviour throughout the Caribbean Sea, and identify ecological features associated with the likelihood of its occurrence. To do this, we used a citizen science approach by creating and distributing an online survey to target frequent divers across this region. While the vast majority of participants observed trumpetfish on nearly every dive across the Caribbean, using random labelling spatial analyses, we found the frequency of shadowing behaviour was geographically clustered; participants that were within ~ 120 km of each other reported observations of shadowing that were more similar than would be expected by chance. Our survey also highlighted that trumpetfish were more likely to be observed shadowing than observed alone in a particular habitat type, and with particular host species, suggesting potential ecological factors that could drive the uneven distribution of this behaviour. Our results demonstrate that this behavioural hunting strategy is spatially clustered and, more generally, highlight the power of using citizen science to investigate variation in animal behaviour over thousands of square kilometres.

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Predation Tactics of Trumpetfish in Midwater

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Community‐scale relationships between body shape and trophic ecology in tropical demersal marine fish of northeast Brazil

Community‐scale relationships between body shape and trophic ecology in tropical demersal marine fish of northeast Brazil

The persistent-predation strategy of the red lionfish ( Pterois volitans )

Spatial clustering of trumpetfish shadowing behaviour in the Caribbean Sea revealed by citizen science

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