Decision Making and Behavioral Choice during Predator Avoidance

Abstract

One of the most important decisions animals have to make is how to respond to an attack from a potential predator. The response must be prompt and appropriate to ensure survival. Invertebrates have been important models in studying the underlying neurobiology of the escape response due to their accessible nervous systems and easily quantifiable behavioral output. Moreover, invertebrates provide opportunities for investigating these processes at a level of analysis not available in most other organisms. Recently, there has been a renewed focus in understanding how value-based calculations are made on the level of the nervous system, i.e., when decisions are made under conflicting circumstances, and the most desirable choice must be selected by weighing the costs and benefits for each behavioral choice. This article reviews samples from the current literature on anti-predator decision making in invertebrates, from single neurons to complex behaviors. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying value-based behavioral decisions is also discussed.

Escapes in copepods: comparison between myelinate and amyelinate species

“…Escapes mediated by giant fibers are fast and are used in responses that require minimal processing (Herberholz and Marquart, 2012). Our behavioral results suggest that the added computational accuracy and processing capabilities conferred by myelin are sufficient to localize the abrupt stimulus more precisely to orient the escape away from the attack.…”

“…Because predator-avoidance strategies, such as escape responses, are under strong selective pressure in the 'arms race' between predator and prey, they have provided good models for investigating the linkages between evolution, ecology, behavior and physiology (Card, 2012;Herberholz and Marquart, 2012). Adaptations for high-speed nerve impulse conduction are ubiquitous features of the neural circuits mediating such behavior (e.g.…”

Emergence of Selectivity to Looming Stimuli in a Spiking Network Model of the Optic Tectum

“…Detection of visually expanding, or looming stimuli is ubiquitous across the animal world, and is critical for both navigation and predator avoidance (Sun and Frost, 1998; Preuss et al, 2006; Liu et al, 2011; Herberholz and Marquart, 2012; Vagnoni et al, 2012). Research suggests that different animals may rely on different types of computations to detect looming stimuli: it was proposed that in birds collision detection may be achieved through spatial integration of appropriately directed edge movements in different parts of the visual field (Frost and Sun, 2004).…”

Predation risk modifies behaviour by shaping the response of identified brain neurons

“…The difficulties are lessened in some invertebrates, in which neural circuits composed of individually identifiable neurons allow the activity of particular neurons to be related to the behaviour of the animal (Kristan, 2008). This is especially valid in the case of escape behaviours, where the velocity required for the successful avoidance of a predatory attack implies rather straightforward circuits containing giant neurons (Fotowat et al, 2011;Herberholz and Marquart, 2012).…”