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Oufiero CE, Garikipati L, McMillan E, Katherine Sullivan M, Turnbaugh R. Modulation of prey capture kinematics in relation to prey distance helps predict success. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247311. [PMID: 38785337 PMCID: PMC11213525 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Predators are not perfect, as some of their prey capture attempts result in failure. Successful attempts may be partly due to predators modulating their capture kinematics in relation to variation in the visual cues of the prey to increase the probability of success. In praying mantises, which have been suggested to possess stereoscopic vision, variation in prey distance has been shown to elicit variation in the probability of an attempt. However, it remains to be examined whether variation in prey distance results in mantises modulating their attempt to successfully capture prey. The goals of this study were to examine these relationships using the praying mantis system. Using 11 adult female Sphodromantis lineola, we recorded 192 prey capture attempts at 1000 Hz with two cameras to examine the 3D kinematics of successful and unsuccessful prey capture attempts. Using a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression, our results show that as prey distance increases, mantises adjust through greater and faster expansion of the forelegs and body (PC1), which significantly predicts capture success. However, PC1 only explains 22% of the variation in all prey capture attempts, suggesting that the other components may be related to additional aspects of the prey. Our results suggest that the distances at which mantises prefer to attempt to capture prey may be the result of their greater probability of successfully capturing the prey. These results highlight the range of motions mantises use when attempting to capture prey, suggesting flexibility in their prey capture attempts in relation to prey position.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth McMillan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA
| | | | - Ryan Turnbaugh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA
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2
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Henríquez-Piskulich P, Stuart-Fox D, Elgar M, Marusic I, Franklin AM. Dazzled by shine: gloss as an antipredator strategy in fast moving prey. Behav Ecol 2023; 34:862-871. [PMID: 37744168 PMCID: PMC10516678 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arad046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies on stationary prey have found mixed results for the role of a glossy appearance in predator avoidance-some have found that glossiness can act as warning coloration or improve camouflage, whereas others detected no survival benefit. An alternative untested hypothesis is that glossiness could provide protection in the form of dynamic dazzle. Fast moving animals that are glossy produce flashes of light that increase in frequency at higher speeds, which could make it harder for predators to track and accurately locate prey. We tested this hypothesis by presenting praying mantids with glossy or matte targets moving at slow and fast speed. Mantids were less likely to strike glossy targets, independently of speed. Additionally, mantids were less likely to track glossy targets and more likely to hit the target with one out of the two legs that struck rather than both raptorial legs, but only when targets were moving fast. These results support the hypothesis that a glossy appearance may have a function as an antipredator strategy by reducing the ability of predators to track and accurately target fast moving prey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark Elgar
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ivan Marusic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Amanda M Franklin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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3
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Bäumler F, Gorb SN, Büsse S. Extrinsic and intrinsic musculature of the raptorial forelegs in Mantodea (Insecta) in the light of functionality and sexual dimorphism. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21590. [PMID: 37183496 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Prehensile raptorial forelegs are prey capturing and grasping devices, best known for praying mantises (Mantodea) within insects. They show strong morphological and behavioral adaptations toward a lifestyle as generalist arthropod predators. In the past, few species of Mantodea were investigated, concerning morphological variability of the raptorial forelegs. Especially the knowledge of foreleg anatomy in the light of functional and comparative morphology is scarce. Our comparative approach is based on the, for arthropods very common, "female-biased sexual size dimorphism" (SSD) that occurs in almost every Mantodea species. Within Mantodea, this SSD is likely leading to a shift of the exploited ecological niche between male and female individuals due to changes in, for example, the possible prey size; which might be reflected in the chosen ecomorphs. In this context, we analyzed the musculature of the raptorial forelegs of female and male specimens in five different species with varying SSD, using high-resolution microcomputed tomography and dissection. We were able to confirm the presence of 15 extrinsic and 15 intrinsic muscles-including one previously undescribed muscle present in all species. Thus, presenting a detailed description and illustrative three-dimensional anatomical visualization of the musculature in Mantodea. Interestingly, almost no observable differences were found, neither between species, nor between the sexes. Furthermore, we homologized all described muscles, due to their attachment points, to the comprehensive nomenclature established by Friedrich and Beutel (2008), discussed potential functionality of the muscles and possible homologies to the neuropteran Mantispa styriaca (Büsse et al., 2021) and the newly introduced leg nomenclature by Aibekova et al. (2022). By elucidating the anatomy, particularly in the context of functionality and SSD, our results complement previous knowledge of the raptorial forelegs, and facilitate a better understanding of the underlying biomechanical system of the predatory strike, and ultimately, a future comparison to other insect taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bäumler
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Büsse
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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4
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Freund DR, Gable TD, Johnson-Bice SM, Homkes AT, Windels SK, Bump JK. The ethology of wolves foraging on freshwater fish in a boreal ecosystem. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230210. [PMID: 37234502 PMCID: PMC10206451 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Through global positioning system (GPS) collar locations, remote cameras, field observations and the first wild wolf to be GPS-collared with a camera collar, we describe when, where and how wolves fish in a freshwater ecosystem. From 2017 to 2021, we recorded more than 10 wolves (Canis lupus) hunting fish during the spring spawning season in northern Minnesota, USA. Wolves ambushed fish in creeks at night when spawning fish were abundant, available and vulnerable in shallow waters. We observed wolves specifically targeting sections of rivers below beaver (Castor canadensis) dams, suggesting that beavers may indirectly facilitate wolf fishing behaviour. Wolves also cached fish on shorelines. We documented these findings across five different social groups at four distinct waterways, suggesting that wolf fishing behaviour may be widespread in similar ecosystems but has probably remained difficult to study given its annual brevity. Spawning fish may serve as a valuable pulsed resource for packs because the spring spawning season coincides with low primary prey (deer Odocoileus virginianus) availability and abundance, and when packs have higher energetic demands owing to newly born pups. We demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of wolf hunting and foraging behaviour, and provide insight into how wolves can survive in a myriad of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle R. Freund
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Thomas D. Gable
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Sean M. Johnson-Bice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - Austin T. Homkes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Steve K. Windels
- Voyageurs National Park, National Park Service, 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, 56649 MN, USA
| | - Joseph K. Bump
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
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5
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Yoshida S, Takaki K, Yamawaki Y. Roles of muscle activities in foreleg movements during predatory strike of the mantis. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 145:104474. [PMID: 36596320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Foreleg trajectory in the mantis strike varies depending on prey distance. To examine how muscle activities affect foreleg trajectory, we recorded strike behaviours of the Chinese mantis with a high-speed camera and electromyograms of the foreleg trochanteral extensor and flexor. At the approach phase of the mantis strike, the prothorax-coxa (P-C) joint elevated and the femur-tibia (F-T) joint extended. At the sweep phase, the coxa-trochanter (C-T) joint rapidly extended, then, the F-T joint rapidly flexed to capture the prey. At capture initiation, the C-T joint extended more with greater prey distance. After cutting the tendon of the trochanteral flexor, the C-T joint extended similarly to that of the intact foreleg but did not flex after it reached its peak angle. After cutting the tendon of the trochanteral extensor, the C-T joint did not extend as much as that of the intact foreleg. During rapid extension of the C-T joint, a burst of spikes from the coxal trochanteral extensor was observed in electromyograms. Among several parameters, burst duration was the best predictor of C-T joint angular change during strike. Unexpectedly, trochanteral flexor activity was also observed during rapid extension of the C-T joint. These results indicated that the coxal trochanteral extensor mainly contributed to the rapid C-T extension during strike, but other muscles also contributed at the beginning of extension. The trochanteral flexor appeared to contribute to C-T flexion by countering the rapid extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Yoshida
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Keigo Takaki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Yamawaki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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Rossoni S, Niven JE. Braking slows passive flexion during goal-directed movements of a small limb. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4530-4537.e2. [PMID: 36087580 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The movements of animal appendages are determined by extrinsic and intrinsic forces. Extrinsic forces include gravity or friction,1,2 whereas intrinsic forces are generated by active muscle contraction or passive musculoskeletal elements.3,4 For lightweight appendages, such as insect limbs, movements depend more upon intrinsic than extrinsic forces.5,6 Indeed, passive movements of insect limbs can be large and oppose or aid joint flexion, extension, or both.4 Yet, how passive properties contribute to insects' goal-directed limb movements, such as targeted reaching and searching,7-10 remains unclear. Here, we show that mantids make targeted reaches and searches to objects by using their raptorial forelimbs, employing braking to slow passive flexion of the femoro-tibial (FTi) joint. In most reaches, tibial flexion ensures the forelimb contacts the object. Such tibial flexion is particularly clear when the forelimb misses the object and continues on a downward trajectory or during directed searching movements. We characterize the passive properties of the FTi joint by combining passive movements of excised limbs with apodeme ablations and muscle stimulation. These experiments show that passive properties of the flexor tibiae muscle-apodeme complex are the primary structural element producing tibial flexion in excised limbs. During reaching and searching, however, tibial flexion is slower and smaller than predicted. This is due to braking, which opposes passive flexion, thereby reducing the magnitude and velocity of tibial flexion. Braking retarding passive movements is a novel behaviorally relevant control strategy for the goal-directed movements of lightweight limbs, such as those of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rossoni
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Jeremy E Niven
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
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7
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Bertram MG, Martin JM, McCallum ES, Alton LA, Brand JA, Brooks BW, Cerveny D, Fick J, Ford AT, Hellström G, Michelangeli M, Nakagawa S, Polverino G, Saaristo M, Sih A, Tan H, Tyler CR, Wong BB, Brodin T. Frontiers in quantifying wildlife behavioural responses to chemical pollution. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1346-1364. [PMID: 35233915 PMCID: PMC9543409 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Animal behaviour is remarkably sensitive to disruption by chemical pollution, with widespread implications for ecological and evolutionary processes in contaminated wildlife populations. However, conventional approaches applied to study the impacts of chemical pollutants on wildlife behaviour seldom address the complexity of natural environments in which contamination occurs. The aim of this review is to guide the rapidly developing field of behavioural ecotoxicology towards increased environmental realism, ecological complexity, and mechanistic understanding. We identify research areas in ecology that to date have been largely overlooked within behavioural ecotoxicology but which promise to yield valuable insights, including within- and among-individual variation, social networks and collective behaviour, and multi-stressor interactions. Further, we feature methodological and technological innovations that enable the collection of data on pollutant-induced behavioural changes at an unprecedented resolution and scale in the laboratory and the field. In an era of rapid environmental change, there is an urgent need to advance our understanding of the real-world impacts of chemical pollution on wildlife behaviour. This review therefore provides a roadmap of the major outstanding questions in behavioural ecotoxicology and highlights the need for increased cross-talk with other disciplines in order to find the answers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G. Bertram
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
| | - Jake M. Martin
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
| | - Erin S. McCallum
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
| | - Lesley A. Alton
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
| | - Jack A. Brand
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
| | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Department of Environmental ScienceBaylor UniversityOne Bear PlaceWacoTexas76798‐7266U.S.A.
| | - Daniel Cerveny
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of HydrocenosesUniversity of South Bohemia in Ceske BudejoviceZátiší 728/IIVodnany389 25Czech Republic
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of ChemistryUmeå UniversityLinnaeus väg 10UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
| | - Alex T. Ford
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of PortsmouthWinston Churchill Avenue, PortsmouthHampshirePO1 2UPU.K.
| | - Gustav Hellström
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
| | - Marcus Michelangeli
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
- Department of Environmental Science and PolicyUniversity of California350 E Quad, DavisCaliforniaCA95616U.S.A.
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South Wales, Biological Sciences West (D26)SydneyNSW2052Australia
| | - Giovanni Polverino
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Western Australia35 Stirling HighwayPerthWA6009Australia
- Department of Ecological and Biological SciencesTuscia UniversityVia S.M. in Gradi n.4ViterboLazio01100Italy
| | - Minna Saaristo
- Environment Protection Authority VictoriaEPA Science2 Terrace WayMacleodVictoria3085Australia
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and PolicyUniversity of California350 E Quad, DavisCaliforniaCA95616U.S.A.
| | - Hung Tan
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
| | - Charles R. Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterStocker RoadExeterDevonEX4 4QDU.K.
| | - Bob B.M. Wong
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University25 Rainforest WalkMelbourneVictoria3800Australia
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSkogsmarksgränd 17UmeåVästerbottenSE‐907 36Sweden
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8
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Oufiero CE. Ontogenetic changes in behavioral and kinematic components of prey capture strikes in a praying mantis. Evol Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-021-10135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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9
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Gable TD, Homkes AT, Johnson-Bice SM, Windels SK, Bump JK. Wolves choose ambushing locations to counter and capitalize on the sensory abilities of their prey. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Comprehensive knowledge of ambush behavior requires an understanding of where a predator expects prey to be, which is generally unknowable because ambush predators often hunt mobile prey that exhibit complex, irregular, or inconspicuous movements. Wolves (Canis lupus) are primarily cursorial predators, but they use ambush strategies to hunt beavers (Castor canadensis). Terrestrial beaver activity is predictable because beavers use well-defined, conspicuous habitat features repeatedly. Thus, studying where wolves wait-in-ambush for beavers provides a unique opportunity to understand how predators choose ambush locations in relation to prey activity. We searched 11 817 clusters of GPS locations from wolves in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, International Falls, MN, and documented 748 ambushing sites and 214 instances where wolves killed beavers. Wolves chose ambush locations: 1) with olfactory concealment to avoid detection from the highly developed olfactory senses of beavers and 2) close (generally <5 m) to beaver habitat features to take advantage of beavers’ inability to visually detect motionless predators. Our work describes in detail the ambush strategies wolves use to hunt beavers and continues to overturn the traditional notion that wolves rely solely on cursorial hunting strategies. We also demonstrate that ambush predators can anticipate the movements and behavior of their prey due to a fundamental understanding of their prey’s sensory abilities. Wolves, therefore, and likely ambush predators in general, appear capable of simultaneously accounting for abiotic and biotic factors when choosing ambush locations, ultimately allowing them to counter and capitalize on the sensory abilities of their prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Gable
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Austin T Homkes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Sean M Johnson-Bice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Steve K Windels
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Voyageurs National Park, National Park Service, International Falls, MN, USA
| | - Joseph K Bump
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
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10
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Winsor AM, Pagoti GF, Daye DJ, Cheries EW, Cave KR, Jakob EM. What gaze direction can tell us about cognitive processes in invertebrates. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 564:43-54. [PMID: 33413978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Most visually guided animals shift their gaze using body movements, eye movements, or both to gather information selectively from their environments. Psychological studies of eye movements have advanced our understanding of perceptual and cognitive processes that mediate visual attention in humans and other vertebrates. However, much less is known about how these processes operate in other organisms, particularly invertebrates. We here make the case that studies of invertebrate cognition can benefit by adding precise measures of gaze direction. To accomplish this, we briefly review the human visual attention literature and outline four research themes and several experimental paradigms that could be extended to invertebrates. We briefly review selected studies where the measurement of gaze direction in invertebrates has provided new insights, and we suggest future areas of exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Winsor
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Guilherme F Pagoti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 321, Travessa 14, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Daniel J Daye
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA; Graduate Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Erik W Cheries
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Kyle R Cave
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jakob
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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11
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Rossoni S, Niven JE. Prey speed influences the speed and structure of the raptorial strike of a 'sit-and-wait' predator. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200098. [PMID: 32396788 PMCID: PMC7280040 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Predators must often employ flexible strategies to capture prey. Particular attention has been given to the strategies of visual predators that actively pursue their prey, but sit-and-wait predators have been largely overlooked, their strategies often characterized as stereotyped. Praying mantids are primarily sit-and-wait predators that often employ crypsis to catch their prey using a raptorial strike produced by their highly modified forelimbs. Here, we show that the raptorial strike of the Madagascan marbled mantis (Polyspilota aeruginosa) varies in duration from 60 to 290 ms due to the tibial extension alone; slower strikes involve slower tibial extensions that may also be interrupted by a pause. The success of a strike is independent of its duration or the presence of these pauses. However, prey speed affects the duration of tibial extension and the probability of a pause occurring, both increasing at slower prey speeds. Adjusting the duration of the tibial extension according to prey speed allows mantids to time the final downward sweep of the tibia to their prey's approach. The use of visual inputs to adjust the motor pattern controlling forelimb movements shows that not all aspects of the strike are stereotyped and that sit-and-wait predators can produce behavioural flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy E. Niven
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
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