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Delacoux M, Kano F. Fine-scale tracking reveals visual field use for predator detection and escape in collective foraging of pigeon flocks. eLife 2024; 13:RP95549. [PMID: 39264274 PMCID: PMC11392528 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95549] [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] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
During collective vigilance, it is commonly assumed that individual animals compromise their feeding time to be vigilant against predators, benefiting the entire group. One notable issue with this assumption concerns the unclear nature of predator 'detection', particularly in terms of vision. It remains uncertain how a vigilant individual utilizes its high-acuity vision (such as the fovea) to detect a predator cue and subsequently guide individual and collective escape responses. Using fine-scale motion-capture technologies, we tracked the head and body orientations of pigeons (hence reconstructed their visual fields and foveal projections) foraging in a flock during simulated predator attacks. Pigeons used their fovea to inspect predator cues. Earlier foveation on a predator cue was linked to preceding behaviors related to vigilance and feeding, such as head-up or down positions, head-scanning, and food-pecking. Moreover, earlier foveation predicted earlier evasion flights at both the individual and collective levels. However, we also found that relatively long delay between their foveation and escape responses in individuals obscured the relationship between these two responses. While our results largely support the existing assumptions about vigilance, they also underscore the importance of considering vision and addressing the disparity between detection and escape responses in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Delacoux
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of KonstanzKonstanzGermany
- Max Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorKonstanzGermany
- International Max Planck Research School for Quantitative Behavior, Ecology and EvolutionRadolfzellGermany
| | - Fumihiro Kano
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of KonstanzKonstanzGermany
- Max Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorKonstanzGermany
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2
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Allan ATL, LaBarge LR, Bailey AL, Jones B, Mason Z, Pinfield T, Schröder F, Whitaker A, White AF, Wilkinson H, Hill RA. Behavioural compatibility, not fear, best predicts the looking patterns of chacma baboons. Commun Biol 2024; 7:980. [PMID: 39134612 PMCID: PMC11319805 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06657-w] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal vigilance is often investigated under a narrow set of scenarios, but this approach may overestimate its contribution to animal lives. A solution may be to sample all looking behaviours and investigate numerous competing hypotheses in a single analysis. In this study, using a wild group of habituated chacma baboons (Papio ursinus griseipes) as a model system, we implemented a framework for predicting the key drivers of looking by comparing the strength of a full array of biological hypotheses. This included methods for defining individual-specific social threat environments, quantifying individual tolerance to human observers, and incorporating predator resource selection functions. Although we found evidence supporting reactionary and within-group (social) vigilance hypotheses, risk factors did not predict looking with the greatest precision, suggesting vigilance was not a major component of the animals' behavioural patterns generally. Instead, whilst some behaviours constrain opportunities for looking, many shared compatibility with looking, alleviating the pressure to be pre-emptively vigilant for threats. Exploring looking patterns in a thorough multi-hypothesis framework should be feasible across a range of taxa, offering new insights into animal behaviour that could alter our concepts of fear ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T L Allan
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK.
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa.
| | - Laura R LaBarge
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Annie L Bailey
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Jones
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Zachary Mason
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Thomas Pinfield
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Felix Schröder
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Alex Whitaker
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Amy F White
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Henry Wilkinson
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Russell A Hill
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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3
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Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. Watch out! High vigilance at small waterholes when alone in open trees. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304257. [PMID: 38959233 PMCID: PMC11221651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
An animal's environment contains many risks causing animals to scan their environment for potential predators and threats from conspecifics. How much time they invest in such vigilance depends on environmental and social factors. Most vigilance studies have been conducted in a foraging context with little known about vigilance in other contexts. Here we investigated vigilance of Gouldian finches at waterholes considering environmental and social factors. Gouldian finches are colour polymorphic with two main head colours in both sexes co-occurring in the same population, black-headed and red-headed. Data collection was done on birds sitting in trees surrounding waterholes by measuring the frequency of head movements, which reflects how frequently they change their field of view, i.e., scan different areas in their environment. A higher frequency generally reflects higher vigilance. Gouldian finches had a higher frequency of head movements when at small waterholes and when sitting in open, leafless trees. Moreover, head movements were higher when birds were alone in the tree as compared to groups of birds. Finally, birds in same head colour morph groups had a higher frequency of head movements than birds in mixed head colour groups. Results indicate heightened vigilance with increased perception of predation risk (small waterholes, open exposed perch, when alone) but that social vigilance also played a role (group composition) with particularly the aggressive red-headed birds being more vigilant when together with other red-headed birds. Future research should investigate the effect of smaller waterholes as global warming will cause smaller waterholes to become more common for longer periods of time, which can increase stress in the birds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Mettke-Hofmann
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Salas M, Hernandez-Hernandez JC, Iglesias M, Corriale MJ. Activity patterns and behavior of Myocastor coypus in a gated community in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (Argentina). JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Anthropization processes confront local wildlife with a new set of conditions that may lead to local extinctions or allow the expansion of some species. This is what happens with the coypu (Myocastor coypus) in gated communities in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (Argentina), where its rapid population growth results in continuous conflicts with the local inhabitants. The aim of this study was to document the daily and seasonal activity patterns and behavior of the coypu in an urban landscape within their natural distribution range. To achieve this, we conducted a camera-trap survey within areas occupied by the species from February to November 2018. The coypu activity was mainly crepuscular and nocturnal with variations between seasons. We found that the seasons with the greatest activity patterns overlap were winter and autumn (84%), while the least overlap was observed between summer and winter (53%). During the active periods, time spent on foraging behavior was dominant. Time dedicated to vigilance was greater in summer than in winter. This result, alongside an increase in nocturnal activity during summer, shows that coypu in this urban landscape shift its behavior when exposed to an increasing human activity. This study brings up more ecological data of this species, which is key to find alternative control methods within gated communities to lead to a harmonic relationship between inhabitants and the species in its native distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Salas
- Grupo de Estudios sobre Biodiversidad en Agroecosistemas, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, 4 Piso (C1428EHA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Martín Iglesias
- Grupo de Estudios sobre Biodiversidad en Agroecosistemas, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, 4 Piso (C1428EHA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María J Corriale
- Grupo de Estudios sobre Biodiversidad en Agroecosistemas, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, 4 Piso (C1428EHA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Pabellón II, Ciudad Universitaria (C1428EHA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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5
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Sweet KA, Sweet BP, Gomes DGE, Francis CD, Barber JR. Natural and anthropogenic noise increase vigilance and decrease foraging behaviors in song sparrows. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animals glean information about risk from their habitat. The acoustic environment is one such source of information, and is an important, yet understudied ecological axis. Although anthropogenic noise has become recently ubiquitous, risk mitigation behaviors have likely been shaped by natural noise over millennia. Listening animals have been shown to increase vigilance and decrease foraging in both natural and anthropogenic noise. However, direct comparisons could be informative to conservation and understanding evolutionary drivers of behavior in noise. Here, we used 27 song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and 148 laboratory behavioral trials to assess foraging and vigilance behavior in both anthropogenic and natural noise sources. Using five acoustic environments (playbacks of roadway traffic, a whitewater river, a whitewater river shifted upwards in frequency, a river with the amplitude modulation of roadway traffic, and an ambient control), we attempt to parse out the acoustic characteristics that make a foraging habitat risky. We found that sparrows increased vigilance or decreased foraging in 4 of 6 behaviors when foraging in higher sound levels regardless of the noise source or variation in frequency and amplitude modulation. These responses may help explain previously reported declines in abundance of song sparrows exposed to playback of intense river noise. Our results imply that natural soundscapes have likely shaped behavior long before anthropogenic noise, and that high sound levels negatively affect the foraging-vigilance trade-off in most intense acoustic environments. Given the ever-increasing footprint of noise pollution, these results imply potential negative consequences for bird populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Sweet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - B P Sweet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - D G E Gomes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
| | - C D Francis
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA
| | - J R Barber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA
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6
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Morph Composition Matters in the Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae): Involvement of Red-Headed Birds Increases Vigilance. BIRDS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/birds2040030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals invest in costly vigilance to detect threats. Joining groups reduces these costs, which can be further reduced in mixed-species assemblages. In colour-polymorphic species, morphs often experience different predation pressure and vary in a variety of traits. However, little is known about differences in vigilance or how group composition affects vigilance. The aim was to investigate whether higher conspicuousness increased vigilance and whether vigilance was reduced in mixed-morph groups like in mixed-species assemblages. I tested vigilance in the colour-polymorphic Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae). Same sex pairs of different age and of either pure (red-red or black-black) or mixed head colour were exposed to three contexts (familiar, changed and novel environment) and head movements were recorded. All birds reduced the frequency of head movements with increasing novelty, indicating different vigilance strategies (switching from a searching to a tracking strategy) depending on the situation. While vigilance did not differ between morphs, morph composition mattered. Black-headed pairs made fewer head movements than mixed-head colour pairs. Results indicated that conspicuousness did not affect vigilance, possibly due to existing adaptations to reduce predation risk. However, whenever red-headed birds were involved, vigilance increased either because of higher group conspicuousness or prevalence of aggression.
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Bonnemaison A, Altino VS, Nogueira-Filho SLG, Nogueira SSC. Personality and plasticity of defensive behavior in collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Behav Processes 2021; 193:104537. [PMID: 34740780 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104537] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Inter-individual differences in behavior, together with phenotypic plasticity, may play a key role in the reintroduction success of captive-born individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether and how personality traits affect the plasticity of defensive behavior in collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Twenty-six adult captive-born collared peccaries (12 males and 14 females) were submitted to three short-term challenges for personality assessment. Thereafter, each individual was submitted to four sequential tests, with different degrees of risk, allowing us to assess temporal/context consistencies in personality traits as well as the plasticity of defensive behavior. We noted a pronounced variability among the individuals' boldness trait, while males and females did not differ in their behavioral responses in all tests. Additionally, collared peccaries show behavioral plasticity of defensive behavior across risk conditions. We also verified an association between boldness and defensive behavior in this species: the higher the boldness score, the less time collared peccaries spent on wariness behaviors in the higher risk condition. The link between personality traits and behavioral plasticity of collared peccaries across risk conditions warrants further investigation to understand the impact of this association on the post-release success of this and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa S Altino
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Selene S C Nogueira
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.
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8
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Naimo AC, Jones C, Chapple DG, Wong BBM. Has an invasive lizard lost its antipredator behaviours following 40 generations of isolation from snake predators? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03064-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Temperament, Plasticity, and Emotions in Defensive Behaviour of Paca (Mammalia, Hystricognatha). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020293. [PMID: 33498936 PMCID: PMC7911602 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The paca (Cuniculus paca), a Neotropical caviomorph rodent, provides the most sought-after game meat in all its range, and it therefore faces high hunting pressure and consequent poor welfare. The species is categorised as having a conservation status of “least concern” and appears resilient to over-hunting by humans, which may be related to individuals’ behavioural characteristics. To investigate this, we submitted captive pacas to temperament (personality) tests designed to assess individual responses to short challenges and to evaluate individuals’ emotional states. Our results showed that paca with a “restless” temperament performed more abnormal behaviour and less exploratory behaviour in a test of defensive behaviour, which elevations in faecal glucocorticoid metabolites indicated to be stressful. Plasticity in defensive behaviour was inferred from changes in behavioural responses and apparently rapid adaptation to different levels of risk. Our results suggest that individual differences and consistency of behavioural responses displayed by paca toward challenges may reflect a generally flexible and successful defensive behavioural response that underpins the paca’s survival, despite the threat of overhunting throughout its range. Abstract Within a species, some individuals are better able to cope with threatening environments than others. Paca (Cuniculus paca) appear resilient to over-hunting by humans, which may be related to the behavioural plasticity shown by this species. To investigate this, we submitted captive pacas to temperament tests designed to assess individual responses to short challenges and judgement bias tests (JBT) to evaluate individuals’ affective states. Results indicated across-time and context stability in closely correlated “agitated”, “fearful” and “tense” responses; this temperament dimension was labelled “restless”. Individual “restless” scores predicted responses to novelty, although not to simulated chasing and capture by humans in a separate modified defence test battery (MDTB). Restless animals were more likely to show a greater proportion of positive responses to an ambiguous cue during JBT after the MDTB. Plasticity in defensive behaviour was inferred from changes in behavioural responses and apparently rapid adaptation to challenge in the different phases of the MDTB. The results indicate that both temperament and behavioural plasticity may play a role in influencing paca responses to risky situations. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of understanding the role of individual temperament traits and behavioural plasticity in order to better interpret the animals’ conservation status and vulnerabilities.
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11
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12
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Nebel C, Sumasgutner P, Pajot A, Amar A. Response time of an avian prey to a simulated hawk attack is slower in darker conditions, but is independent of hawk colour morph. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190677. [PMID: 31598248 PMCID: PMC6731706 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To avoid predation, many species rely on vision to detect predators and initiate an escape response. The ability to detect predators may be lower in darker light conditions or with darker backgrounds. For birds, however, this has never been experimentally tested. We test the hypothesis that the response time of avian prey (feral pigeon Columbia livia f. domestica) to a simulated hawk attack (taxidermy mounted colour-polymorphic black sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus) will differ depending on light levels or background colour. We predict that response will be slower under darker conditions, which would translate into higher predation risk. The speed of response of prey in relation to light level or background colour may also interact with the colour of the predator, and this idea underpins a key hypothesis proposed for the maintenance of different colour morphs in polymorphic raptors. We therefore test whether the speed of reaction is influenced by the morph of the hawk (dark/light) in combination with light conditions (dull/bright), or background colours (black/white). We predict slowest responses to morphs under conditions that less contrast with the plumage of the hawk (e.g. light morph under bright light or white background). In support of our first hypothesis, pigeons reacted slower under duller light and with a black background. However, we found no support for the second hypothesis, with response times observed between the hawk-morphs being irrespective of light levels or background colour. Our findings experimentally confirm that birds detect avian predators less efficiently under darker conditions. These conditions, for example, might occur during early mornings or in dense forests, which could lead to changes in anti-predator behaviours. However, our results provide no support that different morphs may be maintained in a population due to differential selective advantages linked to improved hunting efficiencies in different conditions due to crypsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Nebel
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Adrien Pajot
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 1 Cours du Général de Gaulle, 33170 Gradignan, France
| | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
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Haswell PM, Jones KA, Kusak J, Hayward MW. Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators. Oecologia 2018; 187:573-583. [PMID: 29654482 PMCID: PMC6018578 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment and injury from larger carnivores may still pose a risk to smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly to optimise foraging efficiency and overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs to fitness. The foraging behaviour of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied with automated cameras and a repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory risk cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, red foxes increased GUDs by 34% and quitting harvest rates by 29% in response to wolf urine. In addition to leaving more food behind, foxes also responded to wolf urine by spending less time visiting food patches each day and altering their behaviour in order to compensate for the increased risk when foraging from patches. Thus, red foxes utilised olfaction to assess risk and experienced foraging costs due to the presence of a cue from gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which may enable competing predators to coexist, and highlights the potential for additional ecosystem service pathways arising from the behaviour of large carnivores. Given the vulnerability of large carnivores to anthropogenic disturbance, a growing human population and intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important to understand ecological processes so that land can be managed appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Haswell
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
- UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Butlers Farm, Beenham, Berkshire, RG7 5NT, UK.
| | - Katherine A Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Josip Kusak
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matt W Hayward
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- School of Environment Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Griesser M, Mourocq E, Barnaby J, Bowgen KM, Eggers S, Fletcher K, Kozma R, Kurz F, Laurila A, Nystrand M, Sorato E, Ekman J. Experience buffers extrinsic mortality in a group-living bird species. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Griesser
- Dept of Anthropology; Univ. of Zurich; CH-8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Emeline Mourocq
- Dept of Anthropology; Univ. of Zurich; CH-8057 Zurich Switzerland
- Inst. of Ecology and Evolution, Univ. of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Barnaby
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Katharine M. Bowgen
- Dept of Life and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth Univ., Dorset, UK. - F. Kurz; Freiburg Germany
| | - Sönke Eggers
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
- Dept of Ecology; Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash Univ.; VIC Australia
| | - Kevin Fletcher
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Radoslav Kozma
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Franziska Kurz
- Dept of Life and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth Univ., Dorset, UK. - F. Kurz; Freiburg Germany
| | - Anssi Laurila
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Magdalena Nystrand
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
- Dept of Ecology; Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Jan Ekman
- Dept of Ecology and Genetics; Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Univ.; Uppsala Sweden
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Hess S, Fischer S, Taborsky B. Territorial aggression reduces vigilance but increases aggression towards predators in a cooperatively breeding fish. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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16
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Olson RS, Haley PB, Dyer FC, Adami C. Exploring the evolution of a trade-off between vigilance and foraging in group-living organisms. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:150135. [PMID: 26473039 PMCID: PMC4593673 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Even though grouping behaviour has been actively studied for over a century, the relative importance of the numerous proposed fitness benefits of grouping remain unclear. We use a digital model of evolving prey under simulated predation to directly explore the evolution of gregarious foraging behaviour according to one such benefit, the 'many eyes' hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, collective vigilance allows prey in large groups to detect predators more efficiently by making alarm signals or behavioural cues to each other, thereby allowing individuals within the group to spend more time foraging. Here, we find that collective vigilance is sufficient to select for gregarious foraging behaviour as long there is not a direct cost for grouping (e.g. competition for limited food resources), even when controlling for confounding factors such as the dilution effect. Furthermore, we explore the role of the genetic relatedness and reproductive strategy of the prey and find that highly related groups of prey with a semelparous reproductive strategy are the most likely to evolve gregarious foraging behaviour mediated by the benefit of vigilance. These findings, combined with earlier studies with evolving digital organisms, further sharpen our understanding of the factors favouring grouping behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal S. Olson
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Patrick B. Haley
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Fred C. Dyer
- Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Christoph Adami
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Kobiela ME, Cristol DA, Swaddle JP. Risk-taking behaviours in zebra finches affected by mercury exposure. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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18
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Campobello D, Hare JF, Sarà M. Social phenotype extended to communities: Expanded multilevel social selection analysis reveals fitness consequences of interspecific interactions. Evolution 2015; 69:916-25. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Campobello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF); University of Palermo; Via Archirafi 18 90123 Palermo Italy
| | - James F. Hare
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Manitoba; Winnipeg MB Canada
| | - Maurizio Sarà
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF); University of Palermo; Via Archirafi 18 90123 Palermo Italy
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Camacho-Cervantes M, Garcia CM, Ojanguren AF, Magurran AE. Exotic invaders gain foraging benefits by shoaling with native fish. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2014; 1:140101. [PMID: 26064552 PMCID: PMC4448845 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater habitats are under increasing threat due to invasions of exotic fish. These invasions typically begin with the introduction of small numbers of individuals unfamiliar with the new habitat. One way in which the invaders might overcome this disadvantage is by associating with native taxa occupying a similar ecological niche. Here we used guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from a feral population in Mexico to test the prediction that exotic shoaling fish can associate with heterospecifics, and that they improve their foraging efficiency by doing so. Guppies have invaded the Mexican High Plateau and are implicated in the declines of many native topminnow (Goodeinae) species. We show that heterospecific associations between guppies and topminnows can deliver the same foraging benefits as conspecific shoals, and that variation in foraging gains is linked to differences in association tendency. These results uncover a mechanism enabling founding individuals to survive during the most vulnerable phase of an invasion and help explain why guppies have established viable populations in many parts of Mexico as well in every continent except Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morelia Camacho-Cervantes
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, UK
| | - Constantino Macías Garcia
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D F, Mexico
| | - Alfredo F. Ojanguren
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, UK
| | - Anne E. Magurran
- Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, UK
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20
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Powolny T, Bretagnolle V, Aguilar A, Eraud C. Sex-related differences in the trade-off between foraging and vigilance in a granivorous forager. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101598. [PMID: 24984028 PMCID: PMC4077796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between intake rate and food density can provide the foundation for models that predict the spatiotemporal distribution of organisms across a range of resource densities. The functional response, describing the relationship between resource density and intake rate is often interpreted mechanistically as the relationships between times spend searching and handling. While several functional response models incorporate anti-predator vigilance (defined here as an interruption of feeding or some other activity to visually scan the environment, directed mainly towards detecting potential predators), the impacts of environmental factors influencing directly anti-predator vigilance remains unclear. We examined the combined effects of different scenarios of predation risk and food density on time allocation between foraging and anti-predator vigilance in a granivorous species. We experimentally exposed Skylarks to various cover heights and seed densities, and measured individual time budget and pecking and intake rates. Our results indicated that time devoted to different activities varied as a function of both seed density and cover height. Foraging time increased with seed density for all cover heights. Conversely, an increased cover height resulted in a decreased foraging time. Contrary to males, the decreased proportion of time spent foraging did not translate into a foraging disadvantage for females. When vegetation height was higher, females maintained similar pecking and intake rates compared to intermediate levels, while males consistently decreased their energy gain. This difference in anti-predator responses suggests a sexually mediated strategy in the food-safety trade-off: when resource density is high a females would adopt a camouflage strategy while an escape strategy would be adopted by males. In other words, males would leave risky-areas, whereas females would stay when resource density is high. Our results suggest that increased predation risk might generate sexually mediated behavioural responses that functional response models should perhaps better consider in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Powolny
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Villiers en bois, France
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Villiers en bois, France
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Villiers en bois, France
| | - Astrid Aguilar
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Villiers en bois, France
| | - Cyril Eraud
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Villiers en bois, France
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21
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Pascual J, Senar JC. Antipredator behavioural compensation of proactive personality trait in male Eurasian siskins. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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22
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Yorzinski JL, Platt ML. Selective attention in peacocks during predator detection. Anim Cogn 2013; 17:767-77. [PMID: 24253451 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-013-0708-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Predation can exert strong selective pressure on the evolution of behavioral and morphological traits in birds. Because predator avoidance is key to survival and birds rely heavily on visual perception, predation may have shaped avian visual systems as well. To address this question, we examined the role of visual attention in antipredator behavior in peacocks (Pavo cristatus). Peacocks were exposed to a model predator while their gaze was continuously recorded with a telemetric eye-tracker. We found that peacocks spent more time looking at and made more fixations on the predator compared to the same spatial location before the predator was revealed. The duration of fixations they directed toward conspecifics and environmental features decreased after the predator was revealed, indicating that the peacocks were rapidly scanning their environment with their eyes. Maximum eye movement amplitudes and amplitudes of consecutive saccades were similar before and after the predator was revealed. In cases where conspecifics detected the predator first, peacocks appeared to learn that danger was present by observing conspecifics' antipredator behavior. Peacocks were faster to detect the predator when they were fixating closer to the area where the predator would eventually appear. In addition, pupil size increased after predator exposure, consistent with increased physiological arousal. These findings demonstrate that peacocks selectively direct their attention toward predatory threats and suggest that predation has influenced the evolution of visual orienting systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Yorzinski
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA,
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23
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Pascual J, Senar JC. Differential effects of predation risk and competition over vigilance variables and feeding success in Eurasian siskins (Carduelis spinus). BEHAVIOUR 2013. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many investigations have studied the effects of predation risk and competition over vigilance and feeding success, but they have proven to be difficult to discriminate. Moreover, none of the studies that have avoided the confusion has considered all the vigilance variables, food intake rate and time spent in the foraging patch. In this study, we designed an experiment with Eurasian siskinsCarduelis spinusforaging on three bird table feeders: one with low predation risk and competition, one with low predation risk and high competition and one with high predation risk and intermediate competition. Birds responded to increasing interference competition by increasing mean scan durations (probably due to the birds having to be vigilant for both other flock members and predators) and maintaining the length of mean inter-scan durations, while they responded to increasing predation risk by reducing mean inter-scan durations (probably in order to detect the predator sooner) while maintaining similar length of mean scan durations. Birds were often ejected from the feeder or departed because of disturbances, so time spent on feeders was reduced both because of competition and predation risk. Pecking rates were affected by competition but not by predation risk. Our results clearly show that birds vigilance strategy while foraging might be very different when they are mainly concerned with scanning for predators or when they primarily monitor competing flock companions. In addition, they stress the importance of recording all the vigilance and feeding variables when studying the effect of ecological factors over the foraging behaviour of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Pascual
- Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology Research Unit (CSIC), Natural History Museum of Barcelona, P Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Senar
- Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology Research Unit (CSIC), Natural History Museum of Barcelona, P Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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24
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Fernández-Juricic E, Deisher M, Stark AC, Randolet J. Predator Detection is Limited in Microhabitats with High Light Intensity: An Experiment with Brown-Headed Cowbirds. Ethology 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02020.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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25
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Sirot E, Maes P, Gélinaud G. Movements and Conflicts in a Flock of Foraging Black-Tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa): The Influence of Feeding Rates on Behavioural Decisions. Ethology 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2011.01995.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Fernández-Juricic E, Kowalski V. Where does a flock end from an information perspective? A comparative experiment with live and robotic birds. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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27
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Baker DJ, Stillman RA, Smart SL, Bullock JM, Norris KJ. Are the costs of routine vigilance avoided by granivorous foragers? Funct Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01829.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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28
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Yosef R, Gołdyn B, Zduniak P. Predation of migratory Little Stint (Calidris minuta) by Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides) is dependent on body mass and duration of stopover time. J ETHOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-010-0251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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29
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Shi J, Li D, Xiao W. Influences of sex, group size, and spatial position on vigilance behavior of Przewalski’s gazelles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-010-0001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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30
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Grüebler MU, Naef-Daenzer B. Survival benefits of post-fledging care: experimental approach to a critical part of avian reproductive strategies. J Anim Ecol 2010; 79:334-41. [PMID: 20059611 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01650.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
1. Caring for offspring beyond leaving the nest is an important but under-studied part of avian life histories. Theory predicts that prolonged post-fledging parental care should yield fitness benefits such as increased fledgling survival. Post-fledging care is also costly in terms of time and energy available for subsequent reproduction, moult or migration. So far, direct measurements of the fitness effects of the duration of post-fledging parental care are lacking. 2. In a partial cross-fostering experiment, barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) chicks were exchanged among broods close to fledging. Thereby, we separated the effects of post-fledging care from those of pre-fledging origin on juvenile survival. 3. Prolonging post-fledging care substantially increased juvenile survival up to 3 weeks post-fledging. Juvenile mortality was maximal in the days following the termination of parental care, and prolonging care delayed and reduced this peak mortality. Survival of fledglings experiencing 6 days of care was Phi = 0.227, whereas fledglings experiencing 14 days of care showed a survival of Phi = 0.571. 4. Offspring from pairs providing short care showed lower post-fledging survival than did offspring from pairs providing long care, irrespective of the actual duration of care experienced. This gives evidence for an additional survival effect of pre-fledging factors associated with the parental duration of care. 5. The results suggest that differential survival in relation to post-fledging parental care is a major fitness component. This relationship has profound effects on the reproductive trade-offs underlying the evolution of avian life histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin U Grüebler
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland.
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31
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Jones KA, Godin JGJ. Are fast explorers slow reactors? Linking personality type and anti-predator behaviour. Proc Biol Sci 2009; 277:625-32. [PMID: 19864291 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Response delays to predator attack may be adaptive, suggesting that latency to respond does not always reflect predator detection time, but can be a decision based on starvation-predation risk trade-offs. In birds, some anti-predator behaviours have been shown to be correlated with personality traits such as activity level and exploration. Here, we tested for a correlation between exploration behaviour and response latency time to a simulated fish predator attack in a fish species, juvenile convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata). Individual focal fish were subjected to a standardized attack by a robotic fish predator while foraging, and separately given two repeated trials of exploration of a novel environment. We found a strong positive correlation between exploration and time taken to respond to the predator model. Fish that were fast to explore the novel environment were slower to respond to the predator. Our study therefore provides some of the first experimental evidence for a link between exploration behaviour and predator-escape behaviour. We suggest that different behavioural types may differ in how they partition their attention between foraging and anti-predator vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Jones
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
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32
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Sansom A, Lind J, Cresswell W. Individual behavior and survival: the roles of predator avoidance, foraging success, and vigilance. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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33
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34
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Tisdale V, Fernández-Juricic E. Vigilance and predator detection vary between avian species with different visual acuity and coverage. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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35
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Jones KA, Krebs JR, Whittingham MJ. Heavier birds react faster to predators: individual differences in the detection of stalking and ambush predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-009-0778-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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36
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Blackwell BF, Fernández-Juricic E, Seamans TW, Dolan T. Avian visual system configuration and behavioural response to object approach. Anim Behav 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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37
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Scanning pattern of greater rheas, Rhea americana: collective vigilance would increase the probability of detecting a predator. J ETHOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-008-0137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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38
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Anti-Predator Signals in the ChaffinchFringilla coelebsin Response to Habitat Structure and Different Predator Types. Ethology 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01558.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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39
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Carter J, Lyons NJ, Cole HL, Goldsmith AR. Subtle cues of predation risk: starlings respond to a predator's direction of eye-gaze. Proc Biol Sci 2008; 275:1709-15. [PMID: 18445559 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For prey animals to negotiate successfully the fundamental trade-off between predation and starvation, a realistic assessment of predation risk is vital. Prey responses to conspicuous indicators of risk (such as looming predators or fleeing conspecifics) are well documented, but there should also be strong selection for the detection of more subtle cues. A predator's head orientation and eye-gaze direction are good candidates for subtle but useful indicators of risk, since many predators orient their head and eyes towards their prey as they attack. We describe the first explicit demonstration of a bird responding to a live predator's eye-gaze direction. We present wild-caught European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with human 'predators' whose frontal appearance and gaze direction are manipulated independently, and show that starlings are sensitive to the predator's orientation, the presence of eyes and the direction of eye-gaze. Starlings respond in a functionally significant manner: when the predator's gaze was averted, starlings resumed feeding earlier, at a higher rate and consumed more food overall. By correctly assessing lower risk and returning to feeding activity earlier (as in this study), the animal gains a competitive advantage over conspecifics that do not respond to the subtle predator cue in this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Carter
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK.
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40
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41
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Vigilance in the third dimension: head movement not scan duration varies in response to different predator models. Anim Behav 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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42
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Nystrand M. Associating with kin affects the trade-off between energy intake and exposure to predators in a social bird species. Anim Behav 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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WATSON MARK, AEBISCHER NICHOLASJ, CRESSWELL WILL. Vigilance and fitness in grey partridges Perdix perdix: the effects of group size and foraging-vigilance trade-offs on predation mortality. J Anim Ecol 2007; 76:211-21. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01194.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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45
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Öst M, Jaatinen K, Steele B. Aggressive females seize central positions and show increased vigilance in brood-rearing coalitions of eiders. Anim Behav 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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46
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47
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Devereux CL, Whittingham MJ, Fernández-Juricic E, Vickery JA, Krebs JR. Predator detection and avoidance by starlings under differing scenarios of predation risk. Behav Ecol 2005. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arj032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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48
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Bednekoff PA, Lima SL. Testing for peripheral vigilance: do birds value what they see when not overtly vigilant? Anim Behav 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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49
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50
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Quantifying the interaction between food density and habitat structure in determining patch selection. Anim Behav 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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