Predator and prey activity levels jointly influence the outcome of long-term foraging bouts

Abstract

Consistent interindividual differences in behavior (i.e., "behavioral types") may be a key factor in determining the outcome of species interactions. Studies that simultaneously account for the behavioral types of individuals in multiple interacting species, such as predator-prey systems, may be particularly strong predictors of ecological outcomes. Here, we test the predator-prey locomotor crossover hypothesis, which predicts that active predators are more likely to encounter and consume prey with the opposing locomotor tendency. We test this hypothesis using intraspecific behavioral variation in both a predator and prey species as predictors of foraging outcomes. We use the old field jumping spider, (Araneae, Salticidae), and the house cricket, (Orthoptera, Gryllidae), as a model predator-prey system in laboratory mesocosm trials. Stable individual differences in locomotor tendencies were identified in both and, and the outcome of foraging bouts depended neither on the average activity level of the predator nor on the average activity level of prey. Instead, an interaction between the activity level of spiders and crickets predicted spider foraging success and prey survivorship. Consistent with the locomotor crossover hypothesis, predators exhibiting higher activity levels consumed more prey when in an environment containing low-activity prey items and vice versa. This study highlights 1) the importance of intraspecific variation in determining the outcome of predator-prey interactions and 2) that acknowledging behavioral variation in only a single species may be insufficient to characterize the performance consequences of intraspecific trait variants.

Predator personality and prey behavioural predictability jointly determine foraging performance

“…The “locomotor crossover hypothesis” predicts that active/bold predators tend to capture inactive/shy prey, whilst inactive/shy predators tend to capture active/bold prey34. This has been supported by empirical studies on a system consisting of black turban snails ( Chlorostoma funebralis ) and their predator sea stars ( Pisaster ochraceus ) as well as in another system composed of crickets ( Acheta domesticus ) and their predator jumping spiders ( Phidippus clarus )3132. However, inconsistent with the locomotor crossover hypothesis, bolder crickets ( Gryllus integer ) have higher mortality when encountering bolder black widow spiders ( Latrodectus hesperus )33.…”

“…Indeed a handful of studies have revealed the joint effects of personality types of both predators and prey on predator foraging performance and prey survivorship313233. The “locomotor crossover hypothesis” predicts that active/bold predators tend to capture inactive/shy prey, whilst inactive/shy predators tend to capture active/bold prey34.…”

The multidimensional behavioural hypervolumes of two interacting species predict their space use and survival

“…Much prior work has related animal personality to various aspects of individuals' ecology (Johnson et al, 2015; Sih et al, 2012; Wolf & Weissing, 2012), such as their body condition (Johnson, Miles, Trubl, & Hagenmaier, 2014; Wright, Keiser, & Pruitt, 2016) and social niche (Laskowski & Pruitt, 2014), by examining only one personality trait at a time (Smith & Blumstein, 2008; Sweeney et al, 2013). Here we used a multitrait approach to examine whether the behavioural hypervolumes occupied by groups of individuals shaped both intraspecific and interspecific interactions.…”

“…A growing number of studies has shown that animal personality can predict the outcome of interspecific interactions (Keiser, Slyder, Carson, & Pruitt, 2015; Lichtenstein, Pruitt, & Modlmeier, 2015; Royauté & Pruitt, 2015; Sweeney et al, 2013; Toscano & Griffen, 2014). We found that katydid behavioural hypervolume was negatively correlated with froghopper survival rates (Fig.…”

Integrating animal personality into insect population and community ecology

“…For instance, active predators often primarily consume inactive prey, while sedentary predators tend to consume active prey [43 ]. Thus, the profitability of exhibiting any particular personality type in either predator or prey depends on personality types present in the interacting trophic level as well as within their own trophic level.…”