Effect of prey personality depends on predator species

Blake, Chelsea A.; Gabor, Caitlin R.

doi:10.1093/beheco/aru041

Cited by 26 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…For example, studies show that high activity in the presence of a predator can increase susceptibility to predation (Bell & Sih, ; Carter, Goldizen, & Tromp, ; Downes, ; Dugatkin, ), likely due to predators' increased detection and contact rate with prey. However, other studies show that activity can actually decrease (Godin & Davis, ; Réale & Festa‐Bianchet, ; Smith & Blumstein, ) or have no effect (Blake & Gabor, ; Carlson & Langkilde, ) on individual prey susceptibility to predation. One potential reason for these contrasting outcomes is that the effect of consistent behavioral differences among prey on predation risk depends on environmental context.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat complexity dampens selection on prey activity level

et al. 2017

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Conspecific prey individuals often exhibit persistent differences in behavior (i.e., animal personality) and consequently vary in their susceptibility to predation. How this form of selection varies across environmental contexts is essential to predicting ecological and evolutionary dynamics, yet remains currently unresolved. Here, we use three separate predator-prey systems (sea star-snail, wolf spider-cricket, and jumping spider-cricket) to independently examine how habitat structural complexity influences the selection that predators impose on prey behavioral types. Prior to conducting staged predator-prey interaction encounters, we ran prey individuals through multiple behavioral assays to determine their average activity level. We then allowed individual predators to interact with groups of prey in either open or structurally complex habitats and recorded the number and individual identity of prey that were eaten. Habitat complexity had no effect on overall predation rates in any of the three predator-prey systems. Despite this, we detected a pervasive interaction between habitat structure and individual prey activity level in determining individual prey survival. In open habitats, all predators imposed strong selection on prey behavioral types: sea stars preferentially consumed sedentary snails, while spiders preferentially consumed active crickets. Habitat complexity dampened selection within all three systems, equalizing the predation risk that active and sedentary prey faced. These findings suggest a general effect of habitat complexity that reduces the importance of prey activity level in determining individual predation risk. We reason this occurs because activity level (i.e., movement) is paramount in determining risk within open environments, whereas in complex habitats, other behavioral traits (e.g., escape ability to a refuge) may take precedence. K E Y W O R D Sactivity, habitat complexity, individual variation, predator-prey interactions, selection

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat complexity dampens selection on prey activity level

et al. 2017

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“…However, we argue that avoidance is a general behavior that would apply to any predator threat prior to any direct interaction. Further, in a previous study on these same species, Largespring mosquitofish exposed to killifish and sunfish did not differ in the behavioral responses during direct interactions with these predators (e.g., jumping behavior, time spent at bottom) (Blake & Gabor ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…One explanation for the lack of significant response to killifish is that the prey did accurately assess the level of predation risk and that killifish in fact pose less risk to Largespring mosquitofish than the native Green sunfish. However, in another study, we found that killifish actually consume Largespring mosquitofish at a faster rate than Green sunfish in single-predator laboratory trials (Blake & Gabor 2014). Although most killifish are not considered predatory, F. grandis is the largest of all the killifish and has a varied diet in its native estuarine habitat that includes terrestrial insects, small fish, benthic algae, and crustaceans (Rozas & Lasalle 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Unlike some of its more widespread congeners (Gambusia affinis, Gambusia holbrooki), the Largespring mosquitofish is a specialized spring-adapted species with populations limited to small ranges surrounding headwaters (Page & Burr 1991). The Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) is one of several common piscivorous centrarchids native to central Texas, where they share an evolutionary history with Largespring mosquitofish and readily consume them (Blake & Gabor 2014;Hubbs et al 1991). The Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) is a member of the topminnow family (Fundulidae), native to fresh and brackish waters along the coasts of Northeastern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recognition and Response to Native and Novel Predators in the Largespring mosquitofish, Gambusia geiseri

et al. 2014

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The introduction of predator species into new habitats is an increasingly common consequence of human activities, and the persistence of native prey species depends upon their response to these novel predators. In this study, we examined whether the Largespring mosquitofish, Gambusia geiseri exhibited antipredator behavior and/or an elevation of circulating stress hormones (cortisol) to visual and chemical cues from a native predator, a novel predator, or a non‐predatory control fish. Prey showed the most pronounced antipredator response to the native predator treatment, by moving away from the stimulus, while the prey showed no significant changes in their vertical or horizontal position in response to the novel or non‐predator treatments. We also found no significant difference in water‐borne cortisol release rates following any of the treatments. Our results suggest the prey did not recognize and exhibit antipredator behavior to the novel predator, and we infer that this predator species could be detrimental if it expands into the range of this prey species. Further, our study demonstrates prey may not respond to an invasive predator that is phylogenetically, behaviorally, and morphologically dissimilar from the prey species' native predators.

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“…The response to novel F. grandis , however, was distinct from the response to non‐predatory P. reticulata , indicating that the focal G. affinis did distinguish between these two types of stimuli. Furthermore, in a previous study, F. grandis actually consumed G. geiseri more quickly than native L. cyanellus in one‐on‐one predation trials (Blake & Gabor, ). Thus, in a direct interaction, the lack of an immediate moving away response with novel F. grandis predators would probably be detrimental to prey survival.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploratory behaviour and novel predator recognition: behavioural correlations across contexts

Blake

Gabor

2016

Journal of Fish Biology

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It was hypothesized that the exploratory behaviour of an individual measured in a novel environment could predict its behaviour in response to a novel predator. This study examined novel predator recognition in the western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis, a species with individual differences in risk-taking, activity and exploration in novel environments. Prey responded with characteristic shoaling and avoidance in response to native predators, but did not show characteristic antipredator behaviour towards novel predators. Furthermore, G. affinis exhibited individual-level behavioural correlations across contexts but only when prey were tested with native predators. This could be the result of native predatory selection on behavioural correlations in the prey species.

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Effect of prey personality depends on predator species

Cited by 26 publications

References 45 publications

Habitat complexity dampens selection on prey activity level

Habitat complexity dampens selection on prey activity level

Recognition and Response to Native and Novel Predators in the Largespring mosquitofish, Gambusia geiseri

Exploratory behaviour and novel predator recognition: behavioural correlations across contexts

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