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Čapkun-Huot C, Blumstein DT, Garant D, Sol D, Réale D. Toward a unified framework for studying behavioural tolerance. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:446-455. [PMID: 38177010 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Behavioural responses are widely held to allow animals to cope with human-induced environmental changes. Less often appreciated is that the absence of behavioural response can also be advantageous. This is particularly true when animals become tolerant to situations that may be perceived as risky, although the actual risk is nonexistent. We provide a framework to understand the causes and consequences of behavioural tolerance. Tolerance can emerge from genetic, epigenetic, or learning mechanisms, each exerting different degrees of influence on its speed of acquisition, reversibility, specificity, and duration. The ultimate impact on fitness hinges on the interplay between these mechanisms and the nature of the stressor. Mechanistic clarity is therefore essential to better understand and manage human-wildlife interactions in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Čapkun-Huot
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal H2X 1Y4, Canada.
| | - Daniel T Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Daniel Sol
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centre for Ecological Research and Applied Forestries, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Denis Réale
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal H2X 1Y4, Canada
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2
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Neves E, Vallet D, Cherkaoui SI, Amhaouch Z, Duperron C, Ménard N, Le Gouar P. Behavioral adjustments of endangered Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) living at the edge of an agricultural landscape in Morocco. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23545. [PMID: 37605628 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Transition zones between natural and human-altered spaces are eroding in most terrestrial ecosystems. The persistence of animals in shared landscapes depends in part on their behavioral flexibility, which may involve being able to exploit human agricultural production. As a forest-dependent species, the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is affected by the progressive conversion of forest-adjacent lands into crops. We explore how Barbary macaque behavior differs between groups living in a forest at the edge of agricultural zones (hereafter "disturbed groups") and groups inhabiting undisturbed forests (hereafter "natural groups"). We compare the diets, activity-budgets, home range sizes, daily path lengths, and sleeping site locations of the groups. We also quantify anthropogenic disturbances (i.e., rates of encounter with humans and dogs) and investigate relationships between such disturbances and the diets and activity budgets of macaques through multiple co-inertia analysis. Disturbed groups included high proportions of cultivated food items in their diet and encountered over 0.5/h anthropogenic disturbances. Activity-budgets differed between disturbed and natural groups and were mostly influenced by diets, not anthropogenic disturbances. Disturbed groups spent more time feeding and less time resting than natural ones. Patterns of space use differed markedly between groups, with disturbed groups displaying smaller home ranges, shorter daily path length, and much higher reutilization of sleeping sites than natural groups. This study highlights the dietary and behavioral flexibility of Barbary macaques living in human-altered environments. Their patterns of space use suggest a reduction in energy expenditure in the disturbed groups due to the inclusion of cultivated food items in their diet possibly leading to increased foraging efficiency. However, the high rates of anthropogenic encounters, including aggressive ones, are likely stressful and may potentially induce extra energy costs and lead to macaque injuries. This could result in demographic costs for crop-foraging groups, threatening the conservation of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Neves
- UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France
| | - Dominique Vallet
- UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France
| | - Sidi Imad Cherkaoui
- AAP Morocco, Animal Advocacy and Protection, Almere, The Netherlands
- Ecole supérieure de Technologie de Kénitra, University of Ibn Tofail, Kénitra, Morocco
| | | | - Coline Duperron
- UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France
| | - Nelly Ménard
- UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France
| | - Pascaline Le Gouar
- UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France
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3
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Forrester TR, Martin TE. Riskiness of Movement Lifestyle Varies Inversely with Adult Survival Probability among Species. Am Nat 2023; 202:166-180. [PMID: 37531279 DOI: 10.1086/725056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
AbstractWhy do species differ in their movement lifestyles? Animals that spend more time sitting motionless and acquire food using less conspicuous movements can be more vigilant and less obvious to predators. More active animals that use food types and sites that require more conspicuous behaviors increase vulnerability to predators. Life history theory predicts that aversiveness to mortality risk evolves inversely to adult survival probability. Consequently, we postulated that long-lived species evolved inconspicuous movement lifestyles, whereas shorter-lived species use more conspicuous movement lifestyles. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying the movement lifestyles of nine tropical songbird species. Use of conspicuous movement and foraging behaviors, such as flying and hovering, was greatest in shorter-lived species and decreased with increasing adult survival probability across species. Similarly, foraging speed decreased with increasing adult survival based on a meta-analysis of 64 songbird species. Faster and conspicuous movement lifestyles of shorter-lived species likely increase food acquisition rates, which fits with faster life history strategies that include more feeding trips for young and faster growth. Similarly, slow movement lifestyles of long-lived species fit with the reduced food needs of slower life history strategies. Movement lifestyles may have evolved as an integrated component of the slow-fast life history continuum.
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Asunsolo-Rivera A, Lester E, Langlois T, Vaughan B, McCormick MI, Simpson SD, Meekan MG. Behaviour of mesopredatory coral reef fishes in response to threats from sharks and humans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6714. [PMID: 37185796 PMCID: PMC10130163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Both sharks and humans present a potentially lethal threat to mesopredatory fishes in coral reef systems, with implications for both population dynamics and the role of mesopredatory fishes in reef ecosystems. This study quantifies the antipredator behaviours mesopredatory fishes exhibit towards the presence of large coral reef carnivores and compares these behavioural responses to those elicited by the presence of snorkelers. Here, we used snorkelers and animated life-size models of the blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) to simulate potential predatory threats to mesopredatory reef fishes (lethrinids, lutjanids, haemulids and serranids). The responses of these reef fishes to the models and the snorkelers were compared to those generated by three non-threatening controls (life-size models of a green turtle [Chelonia mydas], a PVC-pipe [an object control] and a Perspex shape [a second object control]). A Remote Underwater Stereo-Video System (Stereo-RUV) recorded the approach of the different treatments and controls and allowed accurate measurement of Flight Initiation Distance (FID) and categorization of the type of flight response by fishes. We found that mesopredatory reef fishes had greater FIDs in response to the approach of threatening models (1402 ± 402-1533 ± 171 mm; mean ± SE) compared to the controls (706 ± 151-896 ± 8963 mm). There was no significant difference in FID of mesopredatory fishes between the shark model and the snorkeler, suggesting that these treatments provoked similar levels of predator avoidance behaviour. This has implications for researchers monitoring behaviour in situ or using underwater census as a technique to estimate the abundance of reef fishes. Our study suggests that, irrespective of the degree to which sharks actually consume these mesopredatory reef fishes, they still elicit a predictable and consistent antipredator response that has the potential to create risk effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Asunsolo-Rivera
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
| | - E Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - T Langlois
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - B Vaughan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - M I McCormick
- Coastal Marine Field Station, School of Science, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand
| | - S D Simpson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - M G Meekan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, The University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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5
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Coelho CM, Araújo AS, Suttiwan P, Zsido AN. An ethologically based view into human fear. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 145:105017. [PMID: 36566802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The quality of the defensive response to a threat depends on the elements that trigger the fear response. The current classification system of phobias does not account for this. Here, we analyze the fear-eliciting elements and discern the different types of fears that originate from them. We propose Pain, Disgust, Vasovagal response, Visual-vestibular and postural interactions, Movement and Speed, Distance and Size, Low and mid-level visual features, Smell, and Territory and social status. We subdivide phobias according to the fear-eliciting elements most frequently triggered by them and their impact on behavior. We discuss the implications of a clinical conceptualization of phobias in humans by reconsidering the current nosology. This conceptualization will facilitate finding etiological factors in defensive behavior expression, fine-tuning exposure techniques, and challenging preconceived notions of preparedness. This approach to phobias leads to surprising discoveries and shows how specific responses bear little relation to the interpretation we might later give to them. Dividing fears into their potentially fear-eliciting elements can also help in applying the research principles formulated by the Research Domain Criteria initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos M Coelho
- University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana S Araújo
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; University of Maia, Maia, Portugal
| | - Panrapee Suttiwan
- Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Life Di Center, Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Andras N Zsido
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs 7622, Hungary
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6
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Guerra AS, Van Wert JC, Haupt AJ, McCauley DJ, Eliason EJ, Young HS, Lecchini D, White TD, Caselle JE. Differences in the behavior and diet between shoaling and solitary surgeonfish ( Acanthurus triostegus). Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9686. [PMID: 36620397 PMCID: PMC9817200 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Variation in behavior within marine and terrestrial species can influence the functioning of the ecosystems they inhabit. However, the contribution of social behavior to ecosystem function remains underexplored. Many coral reef fish species provide potentially insightful models for exploring how social behavior shapes ecological function because they exhibit radical intraspecific variation in sociality within a shared habitat. Here, we provide an empirical exploration on how the ecological function of a shoaling surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) may differ from that of solitary conspecifics on two Pacific coral reefs combining insight from behavioral observations, stable isotope analysis, and macronutrient analysis of gut and fecal matter. We detected important differences in how the social mode of A. triostegus affected its spatial and feeding ecology, as well as that of other reef fish species. Specifically, we found increased distance traveled and area covered by shoaling fish relative to solitary A. triostegus. Additionally, shoaling A. triostegus primarily grazed within territories of other herbivorous fish and had piscivorous and nonpiscivorous heterospecific fish associated with the shoal, while solitary A. triostegus grazed largely grazed outside of any territories and did not have any such interactions with heterospecific fish. Results from stable isotope analysis show a difference in δ15N isotopes between shoaling and solitary fish, which suggests that these different social modes are persistent. Further, we found a strong interaction between social behavior and site and carbohydrate and protein percentages in the macronutrient analysis, indicating that these differences in sociality are associated with measurable differences in both the feeding ecology and nutrient excretion patterns. Our study suggests that the social behavior of individuals may play an important and underappreciated role in mediating their ecological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Guerra
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jacey C. Van Wert
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alison J. Haupt
- Department of Marine ScienceCalifornia State University Monterey BaySeasideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Douglas J. McCauley
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Erika J. Eliason
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hillary S. Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Lecchini
- EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSPSL UniversityMo'oreaFrench Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL"ParisFrance
| | - Timothy D. White
- Hopkins Marine StationStanford UniversityPacific GroveCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer E. Caselle
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
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7
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Siegfried TR, Reimer J, Roberto E, Noren C, Vidal A, Dixon K, DuBois M, Piacenza SE. Size-Mediated Sea Turtle Behavioral Responses at Artificial Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010114. [PMID: 36611724 PMCID: PMC9817786 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of size-specific sea turtle behavior has lagged due to methodological limitations. However, stereo-video cameras (SVC) are an in-water approach that can link body-size and allow for relatively undisturbed behavioral observations. In this study, we conducted SVC dive surveys at local artificial reefs, piers, and jetties in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) from May 2019 to August 2021. Using SVCs, we measured sea turtle straight carapace length, documented behaviors, and quantified wariness by assessing minimum approach distance (MAD). In green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), the observed MAD ranged from 0.72 to 5.99 m (mean 2.10 m ± 1.10 standard deviation (SD), n = 73). For loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), the MAD ranged between 0.93 and 3.80 m (mean 2.12 m ± 0.99 SD, n = 16). Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) were similar to loggerheads, and MAD ranged from 0.78 to 3.63 m (mean 2.35 m ± 0.99 SD, n = 8). We then evaluated what biological factors could impact the MAD observed by species, but we excluded Kemp's ridleys as the sample size was small. Using a linear mixed model and model selection based on AICc, the top ranked model for both green and loggerhead sea turtles included SCL as the most important factor influencing MAD. MAD did not vary with habitat type for either species. Our results showed that larger individuals, regardless of species, have a greater wariness response, becoming startled at greater distances than smaller individuals. The findings of our study support the use of SVC as an accessible, non-invasive tool to conduct ecologically relevant in-water surveys of sea turtles to link behavioral observations to body size.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jackson Reimer
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
| | - Emma Roberto
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
| | - Christopher Noren
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
- Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, Walpole, ME 04573, USA
| | - Alex Vidal
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
| | - Kristi Dixon
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
| | - Morgan DuBois
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
| | - Susan E. Piacenza
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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Bertucci F, Feeney WE, Cowan ZL, Gache C, Madi Moussa R, Berthe C, Minier L, Bambridge T, Lecchini D. Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the observed density of coral reef fish along coastal habitats of Moorea, French Polynesia. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 2022; 23:16. [PMID: 36573171 PMCID: PMC9771778 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-022-02011-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
During the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, levels of coastal activities such as subsistence fishing and marine tourism declined rapidly throughout French Polynesia. Here, we examined whether the reduction in coastal use led to changes in fish density around the island of Moorea. Two natural coastal marine habitats (bare sand and mangrove) and one type of man-made coastal structure (embankment) were monitored on the west coast of the island before and after the first COVID-19 lockdown. At the end of the lockdown (May 2020), significantly higher apparent densities of juvenile and adult fish, including many harvested species, were recorded compared to levels documented in 2019 at the same period (April 2019). Fish densities subsequently declined as coastal activities recovered; however, 2 months after the end of the lockdown (July 2020), densities were still higher than they were in July 2019 with significant family-specific variation across habitats. This study highlights that short-term reductions in human activity can have a positive impact on coastal fish communities and may encourage future management policy that minimizes human impacts on coastline habitats. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-022-02011-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Bertucci
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Functional and Evolutionary Morphology Lab, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - William E Feeney
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158 China
| | - Zara-Louise Cowan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Palaeontology and Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Camille Gache
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", 66100 Perpignan, France
| | - Rakamaly Madi Moussa
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", 66100 Perpignan, France
| | - Cécile Berthe
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", 66100 Perpignan, France
| | - Lana Minier
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Tamatoa Bambridge
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", 66100 Perpignan, France
| | - David Lecchini
- PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", 66100 Perpignan, France
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9
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Social behaviors elevate predation risk in fiddler crabs: quantitative evidence from field observations. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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10
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Allan ATL, Bailey AL, Hill RA. Consistency in the flight and visual orientation distances of habituated chacma baboons after an observed leopard predation. Do flight initiation distance methods always measure perceived predation risk? Ecol Evol 2021; 11:15404-15416. [PMID: 34765186 PMCID: PMC8571578 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Flight initiation distance (FID) procedures are used to assess the risk perception animals have for threats (e.g., natural predators, hunters), but it is unclear whether these assessments remain meaningful if animals have habituated to certain human stimuli (e.g., researchers, tourists). Our previous work showed that habituated baboons displayed individually distinct and consistent responses to human approaches, a tolerance trait, but it is unknown if the trait is resilient to life-threatening scenarios. If it were consistent, it would imply FIDs might measure specific human threat perception only and not generalize to other threats such as predators when animals have experienced habituation processes. We used FID procedures to compare baseline responses to the visual orientation distance, FID, and individual tolerance estimates assessed after a leopard predation on an adult male baboon (group member). All variables were consistent despite the predation event, suggesting tolerance to observers was largely unaffected by the predation and FID procedures are unlikely to be generalizable to other threats when habituation has occurred. FID approaches could be an important tool for assessing how humans influence animal behavior across a range of contexts, but careful planning is required to understand the type of stimuli presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T. L. Allan
- Department of AnthropologyDurham UniversityDurhamUK
- Primate and Predator ProjectLajuma Research CentreLouis TrichardtSouth Africa
| | - Annie L. Bailey
- Primate and Predator ProjectLajuma Research CentreLouis TrichardtSouth Africa
| | - Russell A. Hill
- Department of AnthropologyDurham UniversityDurhamUK
- Primate and Predator ProjectLajuma Research CentreLouis TrichardtSouth Africa
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of VendaThohoyandouSouth Africa
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11
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Shanmugavel Sureshmarimuthu, Babu S, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, Nagaraj Rajeshkumar. Factors influencing the flush response and flight initiation distance of three owl species in the Andaman Islands. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2021. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7339.13.11.19500-19508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of anthropogenic pressures on birds of the Andaman Islands have been documented to some extent, however studies on the effect of human activities on the behavioural response of these birds are limited. This study assessed the anti-predatory behaviour (flush response - FR and flight initiation distance - FID) of three owl species (Otus sunia, Otus balli, and Ninox obscura) in response to human stimuli and factors influencing it on the Andaman Islands. In total, 63 % of owls flushed from their roost sites in response to approaching human, and such a response varied between species. Similarly, FID varied widely among the species ranging from 4.23 to 6.73 m. The FR of N. obscura was influenced by the count of climbers, presence of spine, and branch status, while roost height, ambient temperature, and lower count of climbers contributed to a higher FID. For the two Otus species, camouflage and pairing were found to influence their FR while FID of O. balli was influenced by roost height, pairing, and presence of spines. Our results indicated that the anti-predatory behaviour of owls on the Andaman Islands was species- and site-specific and prolonged disturbance to their roost sites may affect the survival and reproductive rate of these owls.
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12
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Loeffler-Henry K, Kang C, Sherratt TN. The anti-predation benefit of flash displays is related to the distance at which the prey initiates its escape. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210866. [PMID: 34315261 PMCID: PMC8316788 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Flash behaviour is widespread in the animal kingdom and describes the exposure of a hidden conspicuous signal as an animal flees from predators. Recent studies have demonstrated that the signal can enhance survivorship by leading pursuing predators into assuming the flasher is also conspicuous at rest. Naturally, this illusion will work best if potential predators are ignorant of the flasher's resting appearance, which could be achieved if the prey flees while the predator is relatively far away. To test this hypothesis, we compared the survival of flashing and non-flashing computer-generated prey with different flight initiation distances (FIDs) using humans as model predators. This experiment found that flash displays confer a survivorship advantage only to those prey with a long FID. A complementary phylogenetic analysis of Australian bird species supports these results: after controlling for body size, species with putative flashing signals had longer FIDs than those without. Species with putative flashing signals also tended to be larger, as demonstrated in other taxa. The anti-predation benefit of flash displays is therefore related to the nature of escape behaviour. Since birds with hidden signals tend to flee at a distance, the flash display here is unlikely to function by startling would-be predators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Changku Kang
- Department of Biosciences, Mokpo National University, Muan, Jeollanamdo 58554, South Korea
| | - Thomas N. Sherratt
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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13
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Dill LM, Frid A. Behaviourally mediated biases in transect surveys: a predation risk sensitivity approach. CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Variation in the behaviour of individuals or species, particularly their propensity to avoid or approach human observers, their conveyances (e.g., cars), or their proxy devices (e.g., drones) has been recognized as a source of bias in transect counts. However, there has been little attempt to predict the likelihood or magnitude of such biases. Behavioural ecology provides a rich source of theory to develop a general framework for doing so. For example, if animals perceive observers as predators, then the extensive body of research on responses of prey to their predators may be applied to this issue. Here we survey the literature on flight initiation distance (the distance from a predator or disturbance stimulus at which prey flee) for a variety of taxa to suggest which characteristics of the animal, the observer, and the environment may create negatively biased counts. We also consider factors that might cause prey to approach observers, creating positive bias, and discuss when and why motivation for both approach and avoidance might occur simultaneously and how animals may resolve such trade-offs. Finally, we discuss the potential for predicting the extent of the behaviourally mediated biases that may be expected in transect counts and consider ways of dealing with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence M. Dill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Alejandro Frid
- Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, 2790 Vargo Road, Campbell River, BC V9W 4X1, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700, Station CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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14
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Oteyza JC, Mouton JC, Martin TE. Adult survival probability and body size affect parental risk-taking across latitudes. Ecol Lett 2020; 24:20-26. [PMID: 33029888 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Parents faced with a predator must choose between their own safety versus taking care of their offspring. Each choice can have fitness costs. Life-history theory predicts that longer-lived species should be less willing than shorter-lived species to return to care for their offspring after a predator disturbance because they have more opportunities to reproduce in the future. We increased adult predation risk during incubation for 40 bird species in north temperate, tropical, and south temperate latitudes. We found that species with higher adult survival probabilities were more cautious, waiting longer before returning to the nest to provide care. Contrary to other studies, we also found that parents were more risk averse and waited longer to return in smaller than larger species, likely reflecting greater vulnerability of smaller species. Ultimately, the relative risk a predator poses to a species and the probability of future reproduction predict parental risk taking across the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Oteyza
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - James C Mouton
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Thomas E Martin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
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15
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16
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Habitat zonation on coral reefs: Structural complexity, nutritional resources and herbivorous fish distributions. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233498. [PMID: 32497043 PMCID: PMC7272040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct zonation of community assemblages among habitats is a ubiquitous feature of coral reefs. The distribution of roving herbivorous fishes (parrotfishes, surgeonfishes and rabbitfishes) is a particularly clear example, with the abundance of these fishes generally peaking in shallow-water, high-energy habitats, regardless of the biogeographic realm. Yet, our understanding of the factors which structure this habitat partitioning, especially with regards to different facets of structural complexity and nutritional resource availability, is limited. To address this issue, we used three-dimensional photogrammetry and structure-from-motion technologies to describe five components of structural complexity (rugosity, coral cover, verticality, refuge density and field-of-view) and nutritional resource availability (grazing surface area) among habitats and considered how these factors are related to herbivorous fish distributions. All complexity metrics (including coral cover) were highest on the slope and crest. Nutritional resource availability differed from this general pattern and peaked on the outer-flat. Unexpectedly, when compared to the distribution of herbivorous fishes, none of the complexity metrics had a marked influence in the models. However, grazing surface area was a strong predictor of both the abundance and biomass of herbivorous fishes. The strong relationship between grazing surface area and herbivorous fish distributions indicates that nutritional resource availability may be one of the primary factors driving the distribution of roving herbivorous fishes. The lack of a relationship between complexity and herbivorous fishes, and a strong affinity of herbivorous fishes for low-complexity, algal turf-dominated outer-flat habitats, offers some cautious optimism that herbivory may be sustained on future, low-complexity, algal turf-dominated reef configurations.
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17
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Stamoulis KA, Delevaux JMS, Williams ID, Friedlander AM, Reichard J, Kamikawa K, Harvey ES. Incorporating reef fish avoidance behavior improves accuracy of species distribution models. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9246. [PMID: 32547871 PMCID: PMC7275679 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Species distribution models (SDMs) are used to interpret and map fish distributions based on habitat variables and other drivers. Reef fish avoidance behavior has been shown to vary in the presence of divers and is primarily driven by spearfishing pressure. Diver avoidance behavior or fish wariness may spatially influence counts and other descriptive measures of fish assemblages. Because fish assemblage metrics are response variables for SDMs, measures of fish wariness may be useful as predictors in SDMs of fishes targeted by spearfishing. We used a diver operated stereo-video system to conduct fish surveys and record minimum approach distance (MAD) of targeted reef fishes inside and outside of two marine reserves on the island of Oʻahu in the main Hawaiian Islands. By comparing MAD between sites and management types we tested the assumption that it provides a proxy for fish wariness related to spearfishing pressure. We then compared the accuracy of SDMs which included MAD as a predictor with SDMs that did not. Individual measures of MAD differed between sites though not management types. When included as a predictor, MAD averaged at the transect level greatly improved the accuracy of SDMs of targeted fish biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jade M S Delevaux
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Ivor D Williams
- NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States of America.,National Geographic Society, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - Jake Reichard
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Keith Kamikawa
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
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18
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Richardson LE, Graham NAJ, Hoey AS. Coral species composition drives key ecosystem function on coral reefs. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192214. [PMID: 32070253 PMCID: PMC7062023 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and unprecedented ecological change threatens the functioning and stability of ecosystems. On coral reefs, global climate change and local stressors are reducing and reorganizing habitat-forming corals and associated species, with largely unknown implications for critical ecosystem functions such as herbivory. Herbivory mediates coral-algal competition, thereby facilitating ecosystem recovery following disturbance such as coral bleaching events or large storms. However, relationships between coral species composition, the distribution of herbivorous fishes and the delivery of their functional impact are not well understood. Here, we investigate how herbivorous fish assemblages and delivery of two distinct herbivory processes, grazing and browsing, differ among three taxonomically distinct, replicated coral habitats. While grazing on algal turf assemblages was insensitive to different coral configurations, browsing on the macroalga Laurencia cf. obtusa varied considerably among habitats, suggesting that different mechanisms may shape these processes. Variation in browsing among habitats was best predicted by the composition and structural complexity of benthic assemblages (in particular the cover and composition of corals, but not macroalgal cover), and was poorly reflected by visual estimates of browser biomass. Surprisingly, the lowest browsing rates were recorded in the most structurally complex habitat, with the greatest cover of coral (branching Porites habitat). While the mechanism for the variation in browsing is not clear, it may be related to scale-dependent effects of habitat structure on visual occlusion inhibiting foraging activity by browsing fishes, or the relative availability of alternate dietary resources. Our results suggest that maintained functionality may vary among distinct and emerging coral reef configurations due to ecological interactions between reef fishes and their environment determining habitat selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Richardson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Nicholas A J Graham
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Andrew S Hoey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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19
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Schmid K, Silva FRMD, Santos BJVD, Bezerra NPA, Garla RC, Giarrizzo T. First fish fauna assessment in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago with BRUVS: Species catalog with underwater imagery. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Fish fauna assessments with traditional catch methods are undesired in marine reserves. Underwater visual census on the other hand is biased due to fish-diver interactions, such as shyness or avoidance behavior of large-bodied target species. This study presents the first marine ichthyofauna inventory of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off northeastern Brazil, sampled with non-destructive, independent Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS). High fish species richness, totaling 66 species from 28 families and 10 orders, including five elasmobranch species and other large predatory fish, such as barracudas, groupers and snappers, were recorded from 81 underwater video samples. Additionally, all of the 4,398 individuals sighted were associated to up to four different benthic habitat types. A catalog of underwater fish images and a detailed species list with additional information, such as conservation status, are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Instituto Bicho D’água Conservação Socioambiental, Brazil
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20
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Mbise FP, Fredriksen K, Ranke PS, Jackson C, Fyumagwa R, Holmern T, Fossøy F, Røskaft E. Human habituation reduces hyrax flight initiation distance in Serengeti. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franco P. Mbise
- Department of Conservation Biology University of Dodoma Dodoma Tanzania
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
| | - Kari‐Elise Fredriksen
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
| | - Peter S. Ranke
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
| | - Craig Jackson
- Norwegian Institute of Nature Research Trondheim Norway
| | | | | | - Frode Fossøy
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Nature Research Trondheim Norway
| | - Eivin Røskaft
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway
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21
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Komine H, Fukasawa K, Akasaka M, Watari Y, Iwai N, Kaji K. Rapid behavioural responses of native frogs caused by past predation pressure from invasive mongooses. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Komine
- Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
| | - K. Fukasawa
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba Japan
| | - M. Akasaka
- Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
- Institute of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
| | - Y. Watari
- Department of Wildlife Biology Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Tsukuba Japan
| | - N. Iwai
- Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
- Institute of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
| | - K. Kaji
- Institute of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu, Tokyo Japan
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22
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Church KDW, Grant JWA. Effects of habitat complexity, dominance and personality on habitat selection: Ideal despotic cichlids. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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23
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Nunes JAC, Blumstein DT, Giglio VJ, Barros F, Quimbayo JP. Reef fish antipredator behavior in remote islands does not reflect patterns seen in coastal areas. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2019.1636141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José Anchieta C.C. Nunes
- Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, CIENAM, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, 41940-090, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Centro de Formação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Porto Seguro, Brazil
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 621 Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Vinicius J. Giglio
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Ambientes Recifais, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Francisco Barros
- Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, CIENAM, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, 41940-090, Brazil
| | - Juan P. Quimbayo
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Ambientes Recifais, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Marinha, CEBIMar Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
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24
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Wen CKC, Chen KS, Tung WC, Chao A, Wang CW, Liu SL, Ho MJ. The influence of tourism-based provisioning on fish behavior and benthic composition. AMBIO 2019; 48:779-789. [PMID: 30390226 PMCID: PMC6509303 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-018-1112-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Distribution of non-natural food (provisioning) to attract fish, though popular in coral reef tourism, has often been discouraged due to its assumed adverse effects on fish health and behavior. However, the effects of provisioning on community structure, anti-predator, and foraging behavior of teleost fishes, as well as their potential to indirectly affect benthic organisms, are not yet clear. Here, we compared fish composition, wariness, foraging behavior of herbivorous fishes, and the benthic cover between provisioned and control sites. We found significant differences in fish abundance, species number, and composition at some locations, but not all. Although most provisioned herbivorous fish did not reduce their biting rates of benthic algae, provisioned sites still had higher coverage of green macroalgae. Our results dispute widely held presumptions on the effects of tourism-based provisioning on the ecology and behavior of teleost fishes, as well as the benthic cover. These findings suggest that while regulation of provisioning is necessary to manage and mitigate any deleterious outcomes, when moderated and monitored, it could still provide an educationally beneficial tool for coral reef ecotourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin K C Wen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Center for Ecology and Environment, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Kao-Sung Chen
- Planning and Information Division, Fisheries Research Institute, COA, Keelung, Taiwan
- Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Tung
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Anyo Chao
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Wei Wang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Lun Liu
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jay Ho
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Green Island Marine Station, Academia Sinica, Green Island, Taitung, Taiwan
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25
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Rhoades OK, Lonhart SI, Stachowicz JJ. Human-induced reductions in fish predator boldness decrease their predation rates in kelp forests. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182745. [PMID: 30940058 PMCID: PMC6501691 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have restructured food webs and ecosystems by depleting biomass, reducing size structure and altering traits of consumers. However, few studies have examined the ecological impacts of human-induced trait changes across large spatial and temporal scales and species assemblages. We compared behavioural traits and predation rates by predatory fishes on standard squid prey in protected areas of different protection levels and ages, and found that predation rates were 6.5 times greater at old, no-take (greater than 40 years) relative to new, predominantly partial-take areas (approx. 8 years), even accounting for differences in predatory fish abundance, body size and composition across sites. Individual fishes in old protected areas consumed prey at nearly twice the rate of fishes of the same species and size at new protected areas. Predatory fish exhibited on average 50% longer flight initiation distance and lower willingness to forage at new protected areas, which partially explains lower foraging rates at new relative to old protected areas. Our experiments demonstrate that humans can effect changes in functionally important behavioural traits of predator guilds at large (30 km) spatial scales within managed areas, which require protection for multiple generations of predators to recover bold phenotypes and predation rates, even as abundance rebounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Kennedy Rhoades
- University of California, Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, 2099 Westside Road, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA
| | - Steve I. Lonhart
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - John J. Stachowicz
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, 2320 Storer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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26
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Skinner C, Newman SP, Box S, Narozanski A, Polunin NVC. Chronic spearfishing may indirectly affect reef health through reductions in parrotfish bite rates. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:585-594. [PMID: 30779136 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The grazing behaviour of two Caribbean parrotfish, a fished species, the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride and a non-fished species, the striped parrotfish Scarus iseri, were studied in the presence (fished site) and absence (marine reserve) of chronic spearfishing activity. Diurnal feeding periodicity did not differ between the sites in either species: roving individuals had significantly higher bite rates in the afternoon, while territorial individuals foraged consistently throughout the day. Mean bite rate varied between sites in both species. Abundance, biomass and bite rates of S. viride were all significantly higher within the reserve, except for roving S. viride which had a higher mean bite rate in the afternoon outside the reserve compared with within it, attributable to maximisation of feeding in the afternoon when fishing risk was lower. Scarus iseri mean abundance and bite rate were greater outside the reserve, potentially because reduction in large territorial herbivores allowed S. iseri to feed more rapidly. By reducing the grazing potential of the remaining S. viride individuals the effect of fishing is greater than would be predicted from biomass changes alone. Less grazing by S. viride would not be compensated for by the increase in grazing by S. iseri because the latter feeds on different algae. Spearfishing of key parrotfish species reduces grazing potential directly by extraction and indirectly by changing behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Skinner
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Marine Science, Ridley Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Steven P Newman
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Marine Science, Ridley Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Banyan Tree Marine Lab, Vabbinfaru, Republic of the Maldives
| | | | | | - Nicholas V C Polunin
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Marine Science, Ridley Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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27
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Meekan MG, McCormick MI, Simpson SD, Chivers DP, Ferrari MCO. Never Off the Hook—How Fishing Subverts Predator-Prey Relationships in Marine Teleosts. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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28
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Hodge JR, Alim C, Bertrand NG, Lee W, Price SA, Tran B, Wainwright PC. Ecology shapes the evolutionary trade-off between predator avoidance and defence in coral reef butterflyfishes. Ecol Lett 2018; 21:1033-1042. [PMID: 29744987 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Antipredator defensive traits are thought to trade-off evolutionarily with traits that facilitate predator avoidance. However, complexity and scale have precluded tests of this prediction in many groups, including fishes. Using a macroevolutionary approach, we test this prediction in butterflyfishes, an iconic group of coral reef inhabitants with diverse social behaviours, foraging strategies and antipredator adaptations. We find that several antipredator traits have evolved adaptively, dependent primarily on foraging strategy. We identify a previously unrecognised axis of diversity in butterflyfishes where species with robust morphological defences have riskier foraging strategies and lack sociality, while species with reduced morphological defences feed in familiar territories, have adaptations for quick escapes and benefit from the vigilance provided by sociality. Furthermore, we find evidence for the constrained evolution of fin spines among species that graze solely on corals, highlighting the importance of corals, as both prey and structural refuge, in shaping fish morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Hodge
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Chidera Alim
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nick G Bertrand
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Wesley Lee
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Samantha A Price
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Binh Tran
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Peter C Wainwright
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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29
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Tätte K, Møller AP, Mänd R. Towards an integrated view of escape decisions in birds: relation between flight initiation distance and distance fled. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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30
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Baños-Villalba A, Quevedo DP, Edelaar P. Positioning behavior according to individual color variation improves camouflage in novel habitats. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Baños-Villalba
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, University Pablo de Olavide Ctra, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain
| | - David P Quevedo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, University Pablo de Olavide Ctra, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Pim Edelaar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, University Pablo de Olavide Ctra, Utrera, Sevilla, Spain
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31
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Guay P, Leppitt R, Weston MA, Yeager TR, Dongen WFD, Symonds MRE. Are the big and beautiful less bold? Differences in avian fearfulness between the sexes in relation to body size and colour. J Zool (1987) 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P.‐J. Guay
- Institute for Sustainability and Innovation College of Engineering and Science Victoria University Melbourne Vic Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science Engineering and the Built Environment Deakin University Burwood Vic Australia
| | - R. Leppitt
- Institute for Sustainability and Innovation College of Engineering and Science Victoria University Melbourne Vic Australia
| | - M. A. Weston
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science Engineering and the Built Environment Deakin University Burwood Vic Australia
| | - T. R. Yeager
- Institute for Sustainability and Innovation College of Engineering and Science Victoria University Melbourne Vic Australia
| | - W. F. D. Dongen
- Institute for Sustainability and Innovation College of Engineering and Science Victoria University Melbourne Vic Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science Engineering and the Built Environment Deakin University Burwood Vic Australia
| | - M. R. E. Symonds
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science Engineering and the Built Environment Deakin University Burwood Vic Australia
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32
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Delaney DM, Janzen FJ, Warner DA. Nesting stage and distance to refuge influence terrestrial nesting behavior of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Theory predicts prey should flee to safety when the fitness benefits of flight meet or exceed the costs. Empirical work has shown the importance of predation risk (e.g., predator behavior, distance to refuge) to prey flight behavior. However, less is known about the influence of flight costs. We monitored nesting Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783)) to examine their response to a human observer (potential predator) depending on the distance between a turtle and an observer, distance between a turtle and water (i.e., refuge), and nesting stage at the time of the encounter (i.e., searching for a nest site vs. constructing a nest). We found no evidence that the distance to an observer influenced flight decisions. However, turtles were less likely to flee as the distance to water increased, and turtles already constructing nests were more likely to continue nesting than those still searching for nest sites. Turtles that traveled farther from water and that were constructing nests may have continued nesting because they had invested considerable energy and were close to completing oviposition. Thus, the fitness benefits of being closer to successful oviposition may outweigh the costs of increased vulnerability to predators during this important and vulnerable period of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Delaney
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170, USA
| | - Fredric J. Janzen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-4009, USA
| | - Daniel A. Warner
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170, USA
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Goetze JS, Januchowski-Hartley FA, Claudet J, Langlois TJ, Wilson SK, Jupiter SD. Fish wariness is a more sensitive indicator to changes in fishing pressure than abundance, length or biomass. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 27:1178-1189. [PMID: 28140527 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the most sensitive indicators to changes in fishing pressure is important for accurately detecting impacts. Biomass is thought to be more sensitive than abundance and length, while the wariness of fishes is emerging as a new metric. Periodically harvested closures (PHCs) that involve the opening and closing of an area to fishing are the most common form of fisheries management in the western Pacific. The opening of PHCs to fishing provides a unique opportunity to compare the sensitivity of metrics, such as abundance, length, biomass and wariness, to changes in fishing pressure. Diver-operated stereo video (stereo-DOV) provides data on fish behavior (using a proxy for wariness, minimum approach distance) simultaneous to abundance and length estimates. We assessed the impact of PHC protection and harvesting on the abundance, length, biomass, and wariness of target species using stereo-DOVs. This allowed a comparison of the sensitivity of these metrics to changes in fishing pressure across four PHCs in Fiji, where spearfishing and fish drives are common. Before PHCs were opened to fishing they consistently decreased the wariness of targeted species but were less likely to increase abundance, length, or biomass. Pulse harvesting of PHCs resulted in a rapid increase in the wariness of fishes but inconsistent impacts across the other metrics. Our results suggest that fish wariness is the most sensitive indicator of fishing pressure, followed by biomass, length, and abundance. The collection of behavioral data simultaneously with abundance, length, and biomass estimates using stereo-DOVs offers a cost-effective indicator of protection or rapid increases in fishing pressure. Stereo-DOVs can rapidly provide large amounts of behavioral data from monitoring programs historically focused on estimating abundance and length of fishes, which is not feasible with visual methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S Goetze
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley Campus, Western Australia, 6485, Australia
| | - Fraser A Januchowski-Hartley
- Department of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- UMR 248 MARBEC/250 ENTROPIE, Institut de recherche pour le développement, Batiment 24, Université de Montpeller 2, 34095, Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Labortaoire d'Excellence CORAIL, France
| | - Tim J Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Shaun K Wilson
- The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Department of Parks and Wildlife, Marine Science Program, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia
| | - Stacy D Jupiter
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Melanesia Program, 11 Ma'afu Street, Suva, Fiji
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Shi X, Møller JS, Højgaard J, Johansen JL, Steffensen JF, Liu D, Domenici P. The angular position of a refuge affects escape responses in staghorn sculpin Leptocottus armatus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2017; 90:2434-2442. [PMID: 28370093 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The effect of the presence and angular position of a refuge on the direction and kinematics of mechanically-induced escape responses was observed in staghorn sculpins Leptocottus armatus using high-speed video. The results showed that the angular position of the refuge did not affect locomotor performance (speed and acceleration), although it did affect the escape trajectories. Therefore, the angular position of a refuge can modulate the direction taken by the L. armatus during the early stages of their escape response and this response can be affected by both repulsive (i.e. threats) and attractive (i.e. refuges) points of reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Shi
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - J S Møller
- University of Copenhagen, Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - J Højgaard
- University of Copenhagen, Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - J L Johansen
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St Augustine, 32080, U.S.A
| | - J F Steffensen
- University of Copenhagen, Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000, Helsingør, Denmark
| | - D Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - P Domenici
- CNR - IAMC, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Località Sa Mardini, 09072 Torregrande, Oristano, Italy
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Andradi-Brown DA, Macaya-Solis C, Exton DA, Gress E, Wright G, Rogers AD. Assessing Caribbean Shallow and Mesophotic Reef Fish Communities Using Baited-Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and Diver-Operated Video (DOV) Survey Techniques. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168235. [PMID: 27959907 PMCID: PMC5154558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fish surveys form the backbone of reef monitoring and management initiatives throughout the tropics, and understanding patterns in biases between techniques is crucial if outputs are to address key objectives optimally. Often biases are not consistent across natural environmental gradients such as depth, leading to uncertainty in interpretation of results. Recently there has been much interest in mesophotic reefs (reefs from 30–150 m depth) as refuge habitats from fishing pressure, leading to many comparisons of reef fish communities over depth gradients. Here we compare fish communities using stereo-video footage recorded via baited remote underwater video (BRUV) and diver-operated video (DOV) systems on shallow and mesophotic reefs in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Caribbean. We show inconsistent responses across families, species and trophic groups between methods across the depth gradient. Fish species and family richness were higher using BRUV at both depth ranges, suggesting that BRUV is more appropriate for recording all components of the fish community. Fish length distributions were not different between methods on shallow reefs, yet BRUV recorded more small fish on mesophotic reefs. However, DOV consistently recorded greater relative fish community biomass of herbivores, suggesting that studies focusing on herbivores should consider using DOV. Our results highlight the importance of considering what component of reef fish community researchers and managers are most interested in surveying when deciding which survey technique to use across natural gradients such as depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic A. Andradi-Brown
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford United Kingdom
- Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Consuelo Macaya-Solis
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford United Kingdom
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dan A. Exton
- Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire United Kingdom
| | - Erika Gress
- Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Wright
- Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire United Kingdom
| | - Alex D. Rogers
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford United Kingdom
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Zhang H, Li W, Hu Y, Zhang Y. Opposite companion effect on flight initiation distance in sympatric species: plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae) and White-rumped Snowfinch ( Onychostruthus taczanowskii). CAN J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2015-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There are many factors influencing prey’s risk perception and escape decision during predator–prey encounters. The distance at which animals move away from perceived danger (often quantified as flight initiation distance or FID) has been used by behavioral ecologists to understand the economics of antipredator behavior. Using general linear models, we investigated escape decision-making processes in plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae (Hodgson, 1858)) and White-rumped Snowfinch (Onychostruthus taczanowskii (Prjevalsky, 1876), formerly known as Montifringilla taczanowskii Przewalski, 1876) together and we found that (i) there are significant positive correlations between starting distance and FID in both species; (ii) pika escapes at a longer distance from an approaching intruder when it is far from its burrow; (iii) foraging animals tolerate closer distances than watching ones, both in pikas and in Snowfinches; (iv) conspecifics seem to have no effect on pikas’ escaping behavior, while the appearance of Snowfinches dramatically decreases the FID of pikas. On the contrary, conspecifics significantly decrease the FID of Snowfinches, while the presence of pikas has no effects. These findings provide new evidence, which are consistent with optimal escape theory. These novel results in multispecies interactions prompt us to pay attention to the potential relationship between pikas and Snowfinches, as well as the “bird–pika in one hole” phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, People’s Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, People’s Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanping Hu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, People’s Republic of China
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Tran DSC, Langel KA, Thomas MJ, Blumstein DT. Spearfishing-induced behavioral changes of an unharvested species inside and outside a marine protected area. Curr Zool 2016; 62:39-44. [PMID: 29491889 PMCID: PMC5804129 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zov006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
By prohibiting fishing, marine protected areas (MPAs) provide a refuge for harvested species. Humans are often perceived as predators by prey and therefore respond fearfully to humans. Thus, fish responses to humans inside and outside of an MPA can provide insights into their perception of humans as a predatory threat. Previous studies have found differences in the distance that harvested species of fish initiate flight (flight initiation distance—FID) from humans inside and outside an MPA, but less is known about unharvested species. We focused on whether the lined bristletooth Ctenochaetus striatus, an unharvested surgeonfish, can discriminate between a snorkeler and a snorkeler with a spear gun inside and outside of a no-take MPA in Mo’orea, French Polynesia. Additionally, we incorporated starting distance (the distance between the person and prey at the start of an experimental approach), a variable that has been found to be important in assessing prey escape decisions in terrestrial species, but that has not been extensively studied in aquatic systems. Lined bristletooth FID was significantly greater in the presence of a spear gun and varied depending on if the spear gun encounter was inside or outside of the MPA. These results imply a degree of sophistication of fish antipredator behavior, generate questions as to how a nontargeted species of fish could acquire fear of humans, and demonstrate that behavioral surveys can provide insights about antipredator behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diem Samantha C Tran
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Katharine A Langel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Madison J Thomas
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Daniel T Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
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Nunes JDACC, Loiola M, Miranda RJ, Sampaio CLS, Barros F. Are Abrolhos no-take area sites of naïve fish? An evaluation using flight initiation distance of labrids. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20160133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Fishing pressure affects the behavior of reef fish, especially of fishery-targeted species. In this context, it is critical to understand if fish behavior is preserved in no-take areas (NTAs), which are considered the best instrument for the recovery of fish stocks. Comparing the flight initiation distances (FIDs) of fish inhabiting multiple-use areas (MUAs), where fishing is allowed (including spearfishing), and NTAs is a useful approach to test whether NTAs can be effective as fish refuges. Here, we compared whether the FIDs of two target (Sparisoma axillare and Scarus trispinosus ) and one non-target (Halichoeres poeyi ) labrids are greater in the MUAs than in the NTAs. We also investigated whether group size (GS) and body size (BS) exert any effect on the FID. We sampled four MUAs and four NTAs in the Abrolhos Bank (Brazil). We found that only for the targeted species FID was shorter inside the NTAs and that the BS had a positive effect on the FID of all species. The GS and BS of the fish are greater in the NTAs than in the multiple-use areas only for S. trispinosus . Our study shows that fish, especially those species that are fishery targets, display an avoidance behavior against spearfishermen likely as a consequence of fishing pressure. We suggest that the NTAs in Abrolhos are not only important sites for the recovery of fish stocks but also possibly act as a repository area of naïve fish (fish that allow human approach), for reefs open for fishing.
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Benevides LJ, Nunes JDACC, Costa TLA, Sampaio CLS. Flight response of the barber surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahianus Castelnau, 1855 (Teleostei: Acanthuridae), to spearfisher presence. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT When confronted by predators, prey need to make an economic decision between continuing their current activity or flee. Flight Initiation Distance (FID), the distance at which an organism begins to flee an approaching threat, has been used to indicate an animal's fearfulness level and a way to examine factors influencing escape decisions. Here we investigated how the FID of the barber surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahianus, responds to the presence of spearfishers in a fishing site in northeast Brazil. Specifically, we examined whether the FID was influenced by body and group size; by the heterogeneity of species in groups formation; and the distance to shelter. Significant differences in FID were observed with increasing body size. We found no significant relationship of FID with size or group formation, neither with distance to shelter. Preferences in forming groups with A. bahianus were seen among some species, and a higher FID was associated with less sheltered substrates. Results obtained here support theories suggesting that spearfishers do influence fish behavior. We highlight that future research should focus on the indirect impacts of spearfishing on the structure of marine communities, emphasizing the anti-predator behaviour of juvenile and adult target fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa J. Benevides
- Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brazil
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40
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Increased tolerance to humans among disturbed wildlife. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8877. [PMID: 26568451 PMCID: PMC4660219 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human disturbance drives the decline of many species, both directly and indirectly. Nonetheless, some species do particularly well around humans. One mechanism that may explain coexistence is the degree to which a species tolerates human disturbance. Here we provide a comprehensive meta-analysis of birds, mammals and lizards to investigate species tolerance of human disturbance and explore the drivers of this tolerance in birds. We find that, overall, disturbed populations of the three major taxa are more tolerant of human disturbance than less disturbed populations. The best predictors of the direction and magnitude of bird tolerance of human disturbance are the type of disturbed area (urbanized birds are more tolerant than rural or suburban populations) and body mass (large birds are more tolerant than small birds). By identifying specific features associated with tolerance, these results guide evidence-based conservation strategies to predict and manage the impacts of increasing human disturbance on birds.
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Titus BM, Daly M, Exton DA. Do reef fish habituate to diver presence? Evidence from two reef sites with contrasting historical levels of SCUBA intensity in the Bay Islands, Honduras. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119645. [PMID: 25807543 PMCID: PMC4373863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Contact between humans and the marine environment is increasing, but the capacity of communities to adapt to human presence remains largely unknown. The popularization of SCUBA diving has added a new dimension to human impacts in aquatic systems and, although individual-level impacts have been identified, cumulative effects on ecosystem function and community-wide responses are unclear. In principle, habituation may mitigate the consequences of human presence on the biology of an individual and allow the quick resumption of its ecological roles, but this has not been documented in aquatic systems. Here, we investigate the short-term impact of human presence and the long-term habituation potential of reef-fish communities to recreational SCUBA divers by studying symbiotic cleaning interactions on coral reefs with differing levels of historical contact with divers. We show that incidences of human contact result in a smaller decline in ecosystem function and more rapid resumption of baseline services on a reef in Utila, Honduras that has heavy historical levels of SCUBA diver presence, compared to an un-dived reef site in the Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area (CCMPA). Nonetheless, despite the generally smaller change in ecosystem function and decades of regular contact with divers, cleaning behavior is suppressed by >50% at Utila when divers are present. We hypothesize that community-wide habituation of reef fish is not fully achievable and may be biologically restricted to only partial habituation. Differential responses to human presence impacts the interpretation and execution of behavioral research where SCUBA is the predominant means of data collection, and provides an important rationale for future research investigating the interplay between human presence, ecosystem function, and community structure on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Titus
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Operation Wallacea, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Marymegan Daly
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Dan A. Exton
- Operation Wallacea, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
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Samia DSM, Blumstein DT, Stankowich T, Cooper WE. Fifty years of chasing lizards: new insights advance optimal escape theory. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 91:349-66. [PMID: 25620002 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses often examine data from diverse taxa to identify general patterns of effect sizes. Meta-analyses that focus on identifying generalisations in a single taxon are also valuable because species in a taxon are more likely to share similar unique constraints. We conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic meta-analysis of flight initiation distance in lizards. Flight initiation distance (FID) is a common metric used to quantify risk-taking and has previously been shown to reflect adaptive decision-making. The past decade has seen an explosion of studies focused on quantifying FID in lizards, and, because lizards occur in a wide range of habitats, are ecologically diverse, and are typically smaller and differ physiologically from the better studied mammals and birds, they are worthy of detailed examination. We found that variables that reflect the costs or benefits of flight (being engaged in social interactions, having food available) as well as certain predator effects (predator size and approach speed) had large effects on FID in the directions predicted by optimal escape theory. Variables that were associated with morphology (with the exception of crypsis) and physiology had relatively small effects, whereas habitat selection factors typically had moderate to large effect sizes. Lizards, like other taxa, are very sensitive to the costs of flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo S M Samia
- Laboratory of Theoretical Ecology and Synthesis, Federal University of Goiás, CP. 131, 74001-970 Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Daniel T Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 621 Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, U.S.A
| | - Theodore Stankowich
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, U.S.A
| | - William E Cooper
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN 46835, U.S.A
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Blumstein DT, Flores G, Munoz NE. Does Locomotor Ability Influence Flight Initiation Distance in Yellow-Bellied Marmots? Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA USA
- The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory; Crested Butte CO USA
| | - Guadalupe Flores
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Nicole E. Munoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California; Los Angeles CA USA
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Cooper WE, Samia DS, Blumstein DT. FEAR, Spontaneity, and Artifact in Economic Escape Theory: A Review and Prospectus. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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45
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Cloyed CS, Eason PK. Night and day: comparing flight initiation dynamics in two closely related species of true frogs. J Zool (1987) 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. S. Cloyed
- Department of Biology University of Louisville Louisville KY USA
| | - P. K. Eason
- Department of Biology University of Louisville Louisville KY USA
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46
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Samia DSM, Blumstein DT. Phi index: a new metric to test the flush early and avoid the rush hypothesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113134. [PMID: 25405872 PMCID: PMC4236129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal escape theory states that animals should counterbalance the costs and benefits of flight when escaping from a potential predator. However, in apparent contradiction with this well-established optimality model, birds and mammals generally initiate escape soon after beginning to monitor an approaching threat, a phenomena codified as the "Flush Early and Avoid the Rush" (FEAR) hypothesis. Typically, the FEAR hypothesis is tested using correlational statistics and is supported when there is a strong relationship between the distance at which an individual first responds behaviorally to an approaching predator (alert distance, AD), and its flight initiation distance (the distance at which it flees the approaching predator, FID). However, such correlational statistics are both inadequate to analyze relationships constrained by an envelope (such as that in the AD-FID relationship) and are sensitive to outliers with high leverage, which can lead one to erroneous conclusions. To overcome these statistical concerns we develop the phi index (Φ), a distribution-free metric to evaluate the goodness of fit of a 1:1 relationship in a constraint envelope (the prediction of the FEAR hypothesis). Using both simulation and empirical data, we conclude that Φ is superior to traditional correlational analyses because it explicitly tests the FEAR prediction, is robust to outliers, and it controls for the disproportionate influence of observations from large predictor values (caused by the constrained envelope in AD-FID relationship). Importantly, by analyzing the empirical data we corroborate the strong effect that alertness has on flight as stated by the FEAR hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo S. M. Samia
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Lindfield SJ, Harvey ES, McIlwain JL, Halford AR. Silent fish surveys: bubble-free diving highlights inaccuracies associated with SCUBA-based surveys in heavily fished areas. Methods Ecol Evol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Lindfield
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology; Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; The University of Western Australia; Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Euan S. Harvey
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University; Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Jennifer L. McIlwain
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University; Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Andrew R. Halford
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University; Bentley WA 6102 Australia
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Binning SA, Barnes JI, Davies JN, Backwell PR, Keogh JS, Roche DG. Ectoparasites modify escape behaviour, but not performance, in a coral reef fish. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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What doesn't kill you makes you wary? Effect of repeated culling on the behaviour of an invasive predator. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94248. [PMID: 24705447 PMCID: PMC3976393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of being hunted, animals often alter their behaviour in ways that make future encounters with predators less likely. When hunting is carried out for conservation, for example to control invasive species, these behavioural changes can inadvertently impede the success of future efforts. We examined the effects of repeated culling by spearing on the behaviour of invasive predatory lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) on Bahamian coral reef patches. We compared the extent of concealment and activity levels of lionfish at dawn and midday on 16 coral reef patches off Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Eight of the patches had been subjected to regular daytime removals of lionfish by spearing for two years. We also estimated the distance at which lionfish became alert to slowly approaching divers on culled and unculled reef patches. Lionfish on culled reefs were less active and hid deeper within the reef during the day than lionfish on patches where no culling had occurred. There were no differences at dawn when removals do not take place. Lionfish on culled reefs also adopted an alert posture at a greater distance from divers than lionfish on unculled reefs. More crepuscular activity likely leads to greater encounter rates by lionfish with more native fish species because the abundance of reef fish outside of shelters typically peaks at dawn and dusk. Hiding deeper within the reef could also make remaining lionfish less likely to be encountered and more difficult to catch by spearfishers during culling efforts. Shifts in the behaviour of hunted invasive animals might be common and they have implications both for the impact of invasive species and for the design and success of invasive control programs.
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Pina-Amargós F, González-Sansón G, Martín-Blanco F, Valdivia A. Evidence for protection of targeted reef fish on the largest marine reserve in the Caribbean. PeerJ 2014; 2:e274. [PMID: 24688853 PMCID: PMC3932734 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine reserves can restore fish abundance and diversity in areas impacted by overfishing, but the effectiveness of reserves in developing countries where resources for enforcement are limited, have seldom been evaluated. Here we assess whether the establishment in 1996 of the largest marine reserve in the Caribbean, Gardens of the Queen in Cuba, has had a positive effect on the abundance of commercially valuable reef fish species in relation to neighboring unprotected areas. We surveyed 25 sites, including two reef habitats (reef crest and reef slope), inside and outside the marine reserve, on five different months, and over a one-and-a-half year period. Densities of the ten most frequent, highly targeted, and relatively large fish species showed a significant variability across the archipelago for both reef habitats that depended on the month of survey. These ten species showed a tendency towards higher abundance inside the reserve in both reef habitats for most months during the study. Average fish densities pooled by protection level, however, showed that five out of these ten species were at least two-fold significantly higher inside than outside the reserve at one or both reef habitats. Supporting evidence from previously published studies in the area indicates that habitat complexity and major benthic communities were similar inside and outside the reserve, while fishing pressure appeared to be homogeneous across the archipelago before reserve establishment. Although poaching may occur within the reserve, especially at the boundaries, effective protection from fishing was the most plausible explanation for the patterns observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Pina-Amargós
- Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costeros , Cayo Coco , Morón , Ciego de Ávila , Cuba
| | - Gaspar González-Sansón
- Department of Studies for Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone, University of Guadalajara , Jalisco , Mexico
| | - Félix Martín-Blanco
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute , Tequesta , FL , USA
| | - Abel Valdivia
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
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