Kent, Maud I.A., Herbert-Read, James E., McDonald, Gordon et al. (2 more authors) (2019) Fine-scale behavioural adjustments of prey on a continuum of risk. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. pp. 1-8. ISSN 1471-2954
Abstract
In the wild, prey species often live in the vicinity of predators, rendering the ability to assess risk on a moment-to-moment basis crucial to survival. Visual cues are important as they allow prey to assess predator species, size, proximity and behaviour. However, few studies have explicitly examined prey’s ability to assess risk based on predator behaviour and orientation. Using mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, and their predator, jade perch, Scortum barcoo, under controlled conditions, we provide some of the first fine-scale characterisation of how prey adapt their behaviour according to their continuous assessment of risk based on both predator behaviour and angular distance to the predator’s mouth. When these predators were inactive and posed less of an immediate threat, prey were often found within the attack cone of the predator showing reductions in speed and acceleration, characteristic of predator-inspection behaviour. However, when predators became active, prey swam faster with greater acceleration and were closer together within the attack cone of predators. Most importantly, this study provides evidence that prey do not adopt a uniform response to the presence of a predator. Instead, we demonstrate that prey are capable of rapidly and dynamically updating their assessment of risk and showing fine-scale adjustments to their behaviour.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 The Author(s). |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Mathematics (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Biology (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 01 May 2019 10:20 |
Last Modified: | 16 Dec 2024 00:10 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.0448 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1098/rspb.2019.0448 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:145571 |