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

Abstract

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.

Ignorance is not bliss: evolutionary naiveté in an endangered desert fish and implications for conservation

“…While broadly consistent with the predator naiveté hypothesis, our findings raise several interesting questions. For instance, predator naiveté often involves failure of prey to recognize novel predators [ 50 ], whereas the loss of chemosensory risk assessment is a more generalized response to predator risk. However, the native habitat of Pahrump poolfish most likely included invertebrate predators such as dragonfly naiads, which also inhabit nearby desert aquatic systems [ 51 ] and have been reported to prey on larval fish [ 52 ].…”

Coping With Urban Habitats Via Glucocorticoid Regulation: Physiology, Behavior, and Life History in Stream Fishes

“…We collected individual cortisol release rates via a non-invasive water-borne hormone sampling technique (Following: Blake et al 2015;Blake and Gabor 2014;Scott and Ellis 2007) density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic liner with opaque wall and lid and with holes on the bottom to easily transfer fish between beakers for repeated measures. Each fish remained in their beaker for 30 min to obtain baseline cortisol release rates.…”

Largemouth bass use prior experience, but not information from experienced conspecifics, to avoid capture by anglers

“…In nature, however, individuals are constantly bombarded with a host of cues that must be deciphered to formulate an appropriate behavioural response (Bourdeau, Pangle, Reed, & Peacor, ; Stamps & Frankenhuis, ). The ability to generalise cues to avoid novel threats that are similar to familiar threats can therefore enhance survival probability (Sih et al, ), and individuals that fail to avoid a novel threat (Blake, Alberici da Barbiano, Guenther, & Gabor, ; Kuehne & Olden, ) often do so when the novel threat is highly dissimilar from previously experienced threats (Trimmer, Ehlman, & Sih, ).…”