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Spiegel O, Michelangeli M, Sinn DL, Payne E, Klein JRV, Kirkpatrick J, Harbusch M, Sih A. Resource manipulation reveals interactive phenotype-dependent foraging in free-ranging lizards. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:1108-1122. [PMID: 38877691 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14128] [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: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that individuals differ in foraging tactics and this variation is often linked to an individual's behavioural type (BT). Yet, while foraging typically comprises a series of search and handling steps, empirical investigations have rarely considered BT-dependent effects across multiple stages of the foraging process, particularly in natural settings. In our long-term sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) study system, individuals exhibit behavioural consistency in boldness (measured as an individual's willingness to approach a novel food item in the presence of a threat) and aggressiveness (measured as an individual's response to an 'attack' by a conspecific dummy). These BTs are only weakly correlated and have previously been shown to have interactive effects on lizard space use and movement, suggesting that they could also affect lizard foraging performance, particularly in their search behaviour for food. To investigate how lizards' BTs affect their foraging process in the wild, we supplemented food in 123 patches across a 120-ha study site with three food abundance treatments (high, low and no-food controls). Patches were replenished twice a week over the species' entire spring activity season and feeding behaviours were quantified with camera traps at these patches. We tracked lizards using GPS to determine their home range (HR) size and repeatedly assayed their aggressiveness and boldness in designated assays. We hypothesised that bolder lizards would be more efficient foragers while aggressive ones would be less attentive to the quality of foraging patches. We found an interactive BT effect on overall foraging performance. Individuals that were both bold and aggressive ate the highest number of food items from the foraging array. Further dissection of the foraging process showed that aggressive lizards in general ate the fewest food items in part because they visited foraging patches less regularly, and because they discriminated less between high and low-quality patches when revisiting them. Bolder lizards, in contrast, ate more tomatoes because they visited foraging patches more regularly, and ate a higher proportion of the available tomatoes at patches during visits. Our study demonstrates that BTs can interact to affect different search and handling components of the foraging process, leading to within-population variation in foraging success. Given that individual differences in foraging and movement will influence social and ecological interactions, our results highlight the potential role of BT's in shaping individual fitness strategies and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orr Spiegel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marcus Michelangeli
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - David L Sinn
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Eric Payne
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Janine-Rose V Klein
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Jamie Kirkpatrick
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Marco Harbusch
- Georg-August-Büsgen-Institut, Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Meira A, Byers JE, Sousa R. A global synthesis of predation on bivalves. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1015-1057. [PMID: 38294132 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13057] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Predation is a dominant structuring force in ecological communities. In aquatic environments, predation on bivalves has long been an important focal interaction for ecological study because bivalves have central roles as ecosystem engineers, basal components of food webs, and commercial commodities. Studies of bivalves are common, not only because of bivalves' central roles, but also due to the relative ease of studying predatory effects on this taxonomic group. To understand patterns in the interactions of bivalves and their predators we synthesised data from 52 years of peer-reviewed studies on bivalve predation. Using a systematic search, we compiled 1334 studies from 75 countries, comprising 61 bivalve families (N = 2259), dominated by Mytilidae (29% of bivalves), Veneridae (14%), Ostreidae (8%), Unionidae (7%), and Dreissenidae and Tellinidae (6% each). A total of 2036 predators were studied, with crustaceans the most studied predator group (34% of predators), followed by fishes (24%), molluscs (17%), echinoderms (10%) and birds (6%). The majority of studies (86%) were conducted in marine systems, in part driven by the high commercial value of marine bivalves. Studies in freshwater ecosystems were dominated by non-native bivalves and non-native predator species, which probably reflects the important role of biological invasions affecting freshwater biodiversity. In fact, while 81% of the studied marine bivalve species were native, only 50% of the freshwater species were native to the system. In terms of approach, most studies used predation trials, visual analysis of digested contents and exclusion experiments to assess the effects of predation. These studies reflect that many factors influence bivalve predation depending on the species studied, including (i) species traits (e.g. behaviour, morphology, defence mechanisms), (ii) other biotic interactions (e.g. presence of competitors, parasites or diseases), and (iii) environmental context (e.g. temperature, current velocity, beach exposure, habitat complexity). There is a lack of research on the effects of bivalve predation at the population and community and ecosystem levels (only 7% and 0.5% of studies respectively examined impacts at these levels). At the population level, the available studies demonstrate that predation can decrease bivalve density through consumption or the reduction of recruitment. At the community and ecosystem level, predation can trigger effects that cascade through trophic levels or effects that alter the ecological functions bivalves perform. Given the conservation and commercial importance of many bivalve species, studies of predation should be pursued in the context of global change, particularly climate change, acidification and biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Meira
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
| | - James E Byers
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ronaldo Sousa
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
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3
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Lichtenstein JLL, McEwen BL, Primavera SD, Lenihan T, Wood ZM, Carson WP, Costa-Pereira R. Top-down effects of intraspeciflic predator behavioral variation. Oecologia 2024; 205:203-214. [PMID: 38789814 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05564-5] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Among-individual variation in predator traits is ubiquitous in nature. However, variation among populations in this trait variation has been seldom considered in trophic dynamics. This has left unexplored (a) to what degree does among-individual variation in predator traits regulate prey populations and (b) to what degree do these effects vary spatially. We address these questions by examining how predator among-individual variation in functional traits shapes communities across habitats of varying structural complexity, in field conditions. We manipulated Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) density (six or twelve individuals) and behavioral trait variability (activity level by movement on an open field) in experimental patches of old fields with varying habitat complexity (density of plant material). Then, we quantified their impacts on lower trophic levels, specifically prey (arthropods > 4 mm) and plant biomass. Predator behavioral variability only altered prey biomass in structurally complex plots, and this effect depended on mantis density. In the plots with the highest habitat complexity and mantis density, behaviorally variable groups decreased prey biomass by 40.3%. In complex plots with low mantis densities, low levels of behavioral variability decreased prey biomass by 32.2%. Behavioral variability and low habitat complexity also changed prey community composition, namely by increasing ant biomass by 881%. Our results demonstrate that among-individual trait variation can shape species-rich prey communities. Moreover, these effects depend on both predator density and habitat complexity. Incorporating this important facet of ecological diversity revealed normally unnoticed effects of functional traits on the structure and function of food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L L Lichtenstein
- Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, 06825, USA.
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA.
| | - Brendan L McEwen
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Skylar D Primavera
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Thomas Lenihan
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA
| | - Zoe M Wood
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Walter P Carson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Raul Costa-Pereira
- Department of Animal Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, 13083-865, Brazil
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Lichtenstein JLL, Schmitz OJ. Incorporating neurological and behavioral mechanisms of sociality into predator-prey models. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1122458. [PMID: 37138660 PMCID: PMC10149790 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1122458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Consumer-resource population models drive progress in predicting and understanding predation. However, they are often built by averaging the foraging outcomes of individuals to estimate per capita functional responses (functions that describe predation rate). Reliance on per-capita functional responses rests on the assumption that that individuals forage independently without affecting each other. Undermining this assumption, extensive behavioral neuroscience research has made clear that facilitative and antagonistic interactions among conspecifics frequently alter foraging through interference competition and persistent neurophysiological changes. For example, repeated social defeats dysregulates rodent hypothalamic signaling, modulating appetite. In behavioral ecology, similar mechanisms are studied under the concept of dominance hierarchies. Neurological and behavioral changes in response to conspecifics undoubtedly play some sort of role in the foraging of populations, but modern predator-prey theory does not explicitly include them. Here we describe how some modern approaches to population modeling might account for this. Further, we propose that spatial predator-prey models can be modified to describe plastic changes in foraging behavior driven by intraspecific interaction, namely individuals switching between patches or plastic strategies to avoid competition. Extensive neurological and behavioral ecology research suggests that interactions among conspecifics help shape populations' functional responses. Modeling interdependent functional responses woven together by behavioral and neurological mechanisms may thus be indispensable in predicting the outcome of consumer-resource interactions across systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. L. Lichtenstein
- Department of Biology, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, United States
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- *Correspondence: James L. L. Lichtenstein,
| | - Oswald J. Schmitz
- Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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5
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Rahman T, Candolin U. Linking animal behavior to ecosystem change in disturbed environments. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.893453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental disturbances often cause individuals to change their behavior. The behavioral responses can induce a chain of reactions through the network of species interactions, via consumptive and trait mediated connections. Given that species interactions define ecosystem structure and functioning, changes to these interactions often have ecological repercussions. Here, we explore the transmission of behavioral responses through the network of species interactions, and how the responses influence ecological conditions. We describe the underlying mechanisms and the ultimate impact that the behavioral responses can have on ecosystem structure and functioning, including biodiversity and ecosystems stability and services. We explain why behavioral responses of some species have a larger impact than that of others on ecosystems, and why research should focus on these species and their interactions. With the work, we synthesize existing theory and empirical evidence to provide a conceptual framework that links behavior responses to altered species interactions, community dynamics, and ecosystem processes. Considering that species interactions link biodiversity to ecosystem functioning, a deeper understanding of behavioral responses and their causes and consequences can improve our knowledge of the mechanisms and pathways through which human activities alter ecosystems. This knowledge can improve our ability to predict the effects of ongoing disturbances on communities and ecosystems and decide on the interventions needed to mitigate negative effects.
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Fraser Franco M, Santostefano F, Kelly CD, Montiglio PO. Studying predator foraging mode and hunting success at the individual level with an online videogame. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Predator–prey interactions are important drivers of community and ecosystem dynamics. With an online multiplayer videogame, we propose a novel system to explore within population variation in predator hunting mode, and how predator–prey behavioral interactions affect predator hunting success. We empirically examined how four predator foraging behaviors covary at three hierarchical levels (among environments, among individuals, and within individuals) to assess the structure of predator hunting mode. We also investigated how prey activity affects the foraging behavior and hunting success of predators. Our study supports key findings on predator foraging mode and predator-prey interactions from behavioral ecology. We found that individual predators displayed a diversity of hunting tactics that were conditioned by prey behavior. With prey movement, individual predators specialized either as cursorial or ambush hunters along a continuum of their hunting traits, but also shifted their strategy between encounters. Both types of hunters were generally better against slower moving prey, and they achieved similar prey captures over the sampling period. This suggests that virtual worlds supporting multiplayer online videogames can serve as legitimate systems to advance our knowledge on predator–prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Fraser Franco
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Groupe de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution des Interactions Biologiques (GREEIB), Université du Québec à Montréal , Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8 , Canada
| | - Francesca Santostefano
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Groupe de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution des Interactions Biologiques (GREEIB), Université du Québec à Montréal , Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8 , Canada
| | - Clint D Kelly
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Groupe de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution des Interactions Biologiques (GREEIB), Université du Québec à Montréal , Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8 , Canada
| | - Pierre-Olivier Montiglio
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Groupe de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution des Interactions Biologiques (GREEIB), Université du Québec à Montréal , Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8 , Canada
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Beardsell A, Gravel D, Clermont J, Berteaux D, Gauthier G, Bêty J. A mechanistic model of functional response provides new insights into indirect interactions among arctic tundra prey. Ecology 2022; 103:e3734. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Beardsell
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d’études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski Québec Canada
| | - Dominique Gravel
- Département de biologie et Centre d’études nordiques Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke Québec Canada
| | - Jeanne Clermont
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d’études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski Québec Canada
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d’études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski Québec Canada
| | - Gilles Gauthier
- Département de biologie et Centre d’études nordiques Université Laval Québec Québec Canada
| | - Joël Bêty
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d’études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski Québec Canada
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Zamora-Camacho FJ. The relationships between toad behaviour, antipredator defences, and spatial and sexual variation in predation pressure. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12985. [PMID: 35194533 PMCID: PMC8858576 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal behaviour is under strong selection. Selection on behaviour, however, might not act in isolation from other fitness-related traits. Since predators represent outstanding selective forces, animal behaviour could covary with antipredator defences, such that individuals better suited against predators could afford facing the costs of riskier behaviours. Moreover, not all individuals undergo equivalent degrees of predation pressure, which can vary across sexes or habitats. Individuals under lower predation pressure might also exhibit riskier behaviours. METHODS In this work, I tested these hypotheses on natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita). Specifically, I gauged activity time, exploratory behaviour and boldness in standard laboratory conditions, and assessed whether they correlated with body size and antipredator strategies, namely sprint speed, parotoid gland area and parotoid gland colour contrast. Additionally, I compared these traits between sexes and individuals from an agrosystem and pine grove, since there is evidence that males and agrosystem individuals are subjected to greater predation pressure. RESULTS Sprint speed as well as parotoid gland contrast and size appeared unrelated to the behavioural traits studied. In turn, body mass was negatively related to activity time, boldness and exploration. This trend is consistent with the fact that larger toads could be more detectable to their predators, which are mostly gape unconstrained and could easily consume them. As predicted, females exhibited riskier behaviours. Nonetheless, agrosystem toads did not differ from pine grove toads in the behavioural traits measured, despite being under stronger predation pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Zamora-Camacho
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain,Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Behavioural traits of rainbow trout and brown trout may help explain their differing invasion success and impacts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1757. [PMID: 35110590 PMCID: PMC8810905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05484-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal behaviour is increasingly recognised as critical to the prediction of non-native species success and impacts. Rainbow trout and brown trout have been introduced globally, but there appear to be differences in their patterns of invasiveness and ecological impact. Here, we investigated whether diploid rainbow trout and diploid and triploid brown trout differ among several key behavioural measures linked to invasiveness and impact. We assessed activity, boldness, aggression, and feeding, using open field, novel object, shelter, mirror, feeding, and functional response experiments. We also tested within each fish type for behavioural syndromes comprising correlations among activity, boldness and aggression. Rainbow trout were more active and aggressive but less bold than diploid and triploid brown trout. In small groups, however, rainbow trout were bolder than both types of brown trout. Diploid brown trout were more active and bolder than triploids when tested individually, and had a higher functional response than both rainbow trout and triploid brown trout. In terms of behavioural syndromes, there was no association between activity and boldness in rainbow trout, however, there was in both brown trout types. The increased activity and aggression of rainbow trout may reflect an increased stress response to novel situations, with this response reduced in a group. These results suggest that rainbow trout do not manage their energy budgets effectively, and may explain why they have limited survival as invaders. In addition, the lower functional response of rainbow trout may explain why they are implicated in fewer ecological impacts, and the triploidy treatment also appears to lower the potential impact of brown trout. Comparative analyses of multiple behaviours of invasive species and genetic variants may thus be key to understanding and predicting invader success and ecological impacts.
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Laskowski KL, Alirangues Nuñez MM, Hilt S, Gessner MO, Mehner T. Predator Group Composition Indirectly Influences Food Web Dynamics through Predator Growth Rates. Am Nat 2022; 199:330-344. [DOI: 10.1086/717812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Laskowski
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Marta M. Alirangues Nuñez
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Hilt
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark O. Gessner
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Alte Fischerhütte 2, 16775 Stechlin, Germany; and Department of Ecology, Berlin Institute of Technology, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Mehner
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
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Moore SJ, Nicholson KE. Beneath the Leaf-Litter: Can Salamander Personality Influence Forest-Floor Dynamics? HERPETOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-19-00019.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaundon J.B. Moore
- Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
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12
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Griffen BD. Considerations When Applying the Consumer Functional Response Measured Under Artificial Conditions. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.713147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its creation, considerable effort has been given to improving the utility of the consumer functional response. To date, the majority of efforts have focused on improving mathematical formulation in order to include additional ecological processes and constraints, or have focused on improving the statistical analysis of the functional response to enhance rigor and to more accurately match experimental designs used to measure the functional response. In contrast, relatively little attention has been given to improving the interpretation of functional response empirical results, or to clarifying the implementation and extrapolation of empirical measurements to more realistic field conditions. In this paper I explore three concepts related to the interpretation and extrapolation of empirically measured functional responses. First, I highlight the need for a mechanistic understanding when interpreting foraging patterns and highlight pitfalls that can occur when we lack understanding between the shape of the functional response curve and the mechanisms that give rise to that shape. Second, I discuss differences between experimental and real-world field conditions that must be considered when trying to extrapolate measured functional responses to more natural conditions. Third, I examine the importance of the time scale of empirical measurements, and the need to consider tradeoffs that alter or limit foraging decisions under natural conditions. Clearly accounting for these three conceptual areas when measuring functional responses and when interpreting and attempting to extrapolate empirically measured functional responses will lead to more accurate estimates of consumer impacts under natural field conditions, and will improve the utility of the functional response as a heuristic tool in ecology.
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Klein AH, Motti CA, Hillberg AK, Ventura T, Thomas-Hall P, Armstrong T, Barker T, Whatmore P, Cummins SF. Development and Interrogation of a Transcriptomic Resource for the Giant Triton Snail (Charonia tritonis). MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 23:501-515. [PMID: 34191212 PMCID: PMC8270824 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-021-10042-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Gastropod molluscs are among the most abundant species that inhabit coral reef ecosystems. Many are specialist predators, along with the giant triton snail Charonia tritonis (Linnaeus, 1758) whose diet consists of Acanthaster planci (crown-of-thorns starfish), a corallivore known to consume enormous quantities of reef-building coral. C. tritonis are considered vulnerable due to overexploitation, and a decline in their populations is believed to have contributed to recurring A. planci population outbreaks. Aquaculture is considered one approach that could help restore natural populations of C. tritonis and mitigate coral loss; however, numerous questions remain unanswered regarding their life cycle, including the molecular factors that regulate their reproduction and development. In this study, we have established a reference C. tritonis transcriptome derived from developmental stages (embryo and veliger) and adult tissues. This was used to identify genes associated with cell signalling, such as neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), involved in endocrine and olfactory signalling. A comparison of developmental stages showed that several neuropeptide precursors are exclusively expressed in post-hatch veligers and functional analysis found that FFamide stimulated a significant (20.3%) increase in larval heart rate. GPCRs unique to veligers, and a diversity of rhodopsin-like GPCRs located within adult cephalic tentacles, all represent candidate olfactory receptors. In addition, the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which participates in the biosynthesis and degradation of steroid hormones and lipids, was also found to be expanded with at least 91 genes annotated, mostly in gill tissue. These findings further progress our understanding of C. tritonis with possible application in developing aquaculture methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Klein
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - C A Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - A K Hillberg
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - T Ventura
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - P Thomas-Hall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - T Armstrong
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - T Barker
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - P Whatmore
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- eResearch Office, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - S F Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
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14
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Stouffer DB, Novak M. Hidden layers of density dependence in consumer feeding rates. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:520-532. [PMID: 33404158 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Functional responses relate a consumer's feeding rates to variation in its abiotic and biotic environment, providing insight into consumer behaviour and fitness, and underpinning population and food-web dynamics. Despite their broad relevance and long-standing history, we show here that the types of density dependence found in classic resource- and consumer-dependent functional-response models equate to strong and often untenable assumptions about the independence of processes underlying feeding rates. We first demonstrate mathematically how to quantify non-independence between feeding and consumer interference and between feeding on multiple resources. We then analyse two large collections of functional-response data sets to show that non-independence is pervasive and borne out in previously hidden forms of density dependence. Our results provide a new lens through which to view variation in consumer feeding rates and disentangle the biological underpinnings of species interactions in multi-species contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Stouffer
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | - Mark Novak
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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15
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Szopa-Comley AW, Duffield C, Ramnarine IW, Ioannou CC. Predatory behaviour as a personality trait in a wild fish population. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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16
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Kerr NR, Ingram T. Personality does not predict individual niche variation in a freshwater fish. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa117] [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
Animal populations can exhibit considerable interindividual variation in both behavioral traits and niche use, but the potential connections between these characteristics are rarely compared for the same individuals. We aimed to test whether behavioral syndromes were predictive of individual diet or microhabitat in a native New Zealand freshwater fish, Gobiomorphus cotidianus. We carried out laboratory behavioral assays and repeated habitat and diet measurements in a seminatural mesocosm system. We found considerable repeatability in individual behavior, largely consistent with a proactive/reactive behavioral syndrome. We also found modest individual repeatability in microhabitat use and relatively strong individual specialization in diet. However, no measure of niche use in the mesocosms was significantly predicted by individual personality. Further studies of this type will be needed to assess whether links between individual behavior and resource use are more important in other species or ecological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky R Kerr
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Travis Ingram
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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17
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Griffen BD, van den Akker D, DiNuzzo ER, Anderson L, Vernier A. Comparing methods for predicting the impacts of invasive species. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02377-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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18
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Hammond TT, Ortiz-Jimenez CA, Smith JE. Anthropogenic Change Alters Ecological Relationships via Interactive Changes in Stress Physiology and Behavior within and among Organisms. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:57-69. [PMID: 31960928 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic change has well-documented impacts on stress physiology and behavior across diverse taxonomic groups. Within individual organisms, physiological and behavioral traits often covary at proximate and ultimate timescales. In the context of global change, this means that impacts on physiology can have downstream impacts on behavior, and vice versa. Because all organisms interact with members of their own species and other species within their communities, the effects of humans on one organism can impose indirect effects on one or more other organisms, resulting in cascading effects across interaction networks. Human-induced changes in the stress physiology of one species and the downstream impacts on behavior can therefore interact with the physiological and behavioral responses of other organisms to alter emergent ecological phenomena. Here, we highlight three scenarios in which the stress physiology and behavior of individuals on different sides of an ecological relationship are interactively impacted by anthropogenic change. We discuss host-parasite/pathogen dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and beneficial partnerships (mutualisms and cooperation) in this framework, considering cases in which the effect of stressors on each type of network may be attenuated or enhanced by interactive changes in behavior and physiology. These examples shed light on the ways that stressors imposed at the level of one individual can impact ecological relationships to trigger downstream consequences for behavioral and ecological dynamics. Ultimately, changes in stress physiology on one or both sides of an ecological interaction can mediate higher-level population and community changes due in part to their cascading impacts on behavior. This framework may prove useful for anticipating and potentially mitigating previously underappreciated ecological responses to anthropogenic perturbations in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talisin T Hammond
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
| | - Chelsea A Ortiz-Jimenez
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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19
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Belgrad BA, Griffen BD. Which mechanisms are responsible for population patterns across different quality habitats? A new approach. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Blaine D. Griffen
- Biology Dept, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young Univ. Provo UT USA
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20
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Kitchen AJ, Chalcraft DR. An individual's propensity to disperse is dependent on the behavioral type of its peers but not its own behavioral type. Oecologia 2020; 194:403-413. [PMID: 32980881 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04769-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Intraspecific differences in the dispersal propensity of animals have been linked to interindividual variation in inherent tendencies (i.e., personality or behavioral type) that influence multiple aspects of an individual's behavior. Studies linking dispersal propensity and personality often (1) focus on defining behavioral tendencies with a single behavioral trait rather than multiple, (2) do not recognize that invertebrates may have behavioral tendencies that influence dispersal, and (3) do not consider how the behavioral type of other individuals affects the dispersal propensity of an individual. We documented multiple foraging behaviors of an aquatic predatory insect (Notonecta irrorata) and found that Notonecta individuals differ in their inherent behavioral tendency (i.e., degree of boldness); all foraging behaviors were correlated such that riskier behaviors were exhibited by the same individuals. We conducted an experiment in which we varied which behavioral types of Notonecta were placed in outdoor pools (passive, bold or both types present) and quantified how long it took for individuals to disperse. Passive and bold individuals had a similar propensity to disperse but the dispersal propensity of each behavioral type was influenced by the behavioral type of other conspecifics present in the pool. Our work reveals that (1) invertebrates have inherent behavioral tendencies that vary among individuals but these tendencies do not necessarily impact all of the behavior displayed by the individual (i.e., impact foraging but not dispersal) and (2) the inherent behavioral tendency of other individuals with which an animal co-occurs can affect habitat patch dynamics such as predation, competition, or colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Kitchen
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - David R Chalcraft
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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21
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DiNuzzo ER, Griffen BD. The effects of animal personality on the ideal free distribution. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201095. [PMID: 32873202 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ideal free distribution (IFD) has been used to predict the distribution of foraging animals in a wide variety of systems. However, its predictions do not always match observed distributions of foraging animals. Instead, we often observe that there are more consumers than predicted in low-quality patches and fewer consumers than predicted in high-quality patches (i.e. undermatching). We examine the possibility that animal personality is one explanation for this undermatching. We first conducted a literature search to determine how commonly studies document the personality distribution of populations. Second, we created a simple individual-based model to conceptually demonstrate why knowing the distribution of personalities is important for studies of populations of foragers in context of the IFD. Third, we present a specific example where we calculate the added time to reach the IFD for a population of mud crabs that has a considerable number of individuals with relatively inactive personalities. We suggest that animal personality, particularly the prevalence of inactive personality types, may inhibit the ability of a population to track changes in habitat quality, therefore leading to undermatching of the IFD. This may weaken the IFD as a predictive model moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R DiNuzzo
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Blaine D Griffen
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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22
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Sommer NR, Schmitz OJ. Differences in prey personality mediate trophic cascades. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:9538-9551. [PMID: 32953082 PMCID: PMC7487229 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional trait approaches in ecology chiefly assume the mean trait value of a population adequately predicts the outcome of species interactions. Yet this assumption ignores substantial trait variation among individuals within a population, which can have a profound effect on community structure and function. We explored individual trait variation through the lens of animal personality to test whether among-individual variation in prey behavior mediates trophic interactions. We quantified the structure of personalities within a population of generalist grasshoppers and examined, through a number of field and laboratory-based experiments, how personality types could impact tri-trophic interactions in a food chain. Unlike other studies of this nature, we used spatial habitat domains to evaluate how personality types mechanistically map to behaviors relevant in predator-prey dynamics and found shy and bold individuals differed in both their habitat use and foraging strategy under predation risk by a sit-and-wait spider predator. In the field-based mesocosm portion of our study, we found experimental populations of personality types differed in their trophic impact, demonstrating that prey personality can mediate trophic cascades. We found no differences in respiration rates or body size between personality types used in the mesocosm experiment, indicating relative differences in trophic impact were not due to variation in prey physiology but rather variation in behavioral strategies. Our work demonstrates how embracing the complexity of individual trait variation can offer mechanistically richer understanding of the processes underlying trophic interactions.
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23
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Sentis A, Bertram R, Dardenne N, Simon JC, Magro A, Pujol B, Danchin E, Hemptinne JL. Intraspecific difference among herbivore lineages and their host-plant specialization drive the strength of trophic cascades. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1242-1251. [PMID: 32394585 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Trophic cascades - the indirect effect of predators on non-adjacent lower trophic levels - are important drivers of the structure and dynamics of ecological communities. However, the influence of intraspecific trait variation on the strength of trophic cascade remains largely unexplored, which limits our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ecological networks. Here we experimentally investigated how intraspecific difference among herbivore lineages specialized on different host plants influences trophic cascade strength in a terrestrial tri-trophic system. We found that the occurrence and strength of the trophic cascade are strongly influenced by herbivores' lineage and host-plant specialization but are not associated with density-dependent effects mediated by the growth rate of herbivore populations. Our findings stress the importance of intraspecific heterogeneities and evolutionary specialization as drivers of trophic cascade strength and underline that intraspecific variation should not be overlooked to decipher the joint influence of evolutionary and ecological factors on the functioning of multi-trophic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Sentis
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France.,UMR RECOVER, INRAE, Aix Marseille Univ, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Raphaël Bertram
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Dardenne
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Alexandra Magro
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France
| | - Benoit Pujol
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR, 3278 CRIOBE, Uni. Perpignan, France
| | - Etienne Danchin
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Louis Hemptinne
- UMR-5174, EDB, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, IRD, Toulouse, France
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24
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South J, Botha TL, Wolmarans NJ, Wepener V, Weyl OLF. Playing with food: Detection of prey injury cues stimulates increased functional foraging traits in Xenopus laevis. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1723439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josie South
- DST/NRF Research Chair in Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Tarryn L Botha
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Nico J Wolmarans
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Victor Wepener
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Olaf LF Weyl
- DST/NRF Research Chair in Inland Fisheries and Freshwater Ecology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Grahamstown, South Africa
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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25
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Roussel S, Poitevin P, Day R, Le Grand F, Stiger‐Pouvreau V, Leblanc C, Huchette S. Haliotis tuberculata, a generalist marine herbivore that prefers a mixed diet, but with consistent individual foraging activity. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre Poitevin
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR Plouzane France
- Kerazan Lilia France Haliotis Plouguerneau France
| | - Robert Day
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR Plouzane France
- School of Biological Sciences University of Melbourne Parkville Vic. Australia
| | | | | | - Catherine Leblanc
- Station Biologique de Roscoff Integrative Biology of Marine Models UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 8227 Sorbonne Universités Roscoff Cedex France
- Station Biologique de Roscoff Integrative Biology of Marine Models UMR 8227 CNRS Roscoff Cedex France
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26
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Dunn RP, Hovel KA. Predator type influences the frequency of functional responses to prey in marine habitats. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20190758. [PMID: 31964265 PMCID: PMC7013479 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional response of a consumer to a gradient of resource density is a widespread and consistent framework used to quantify the importance of consumption to population dynamics and stability. Within benthic marine ecosystems, both crustaceans and fishes can provide strong top-down pressure on prey populations. Taxon-specific differences in biomechanics or habitat use, among other factors, may lead to variable functional response forms or parameter values (attack rate, handling time). Based on a review of 189 individual functional response fits, we find that these predator guilds differ in their frequency distribution of functional response types, with crustaceans exhibiting nearly double the proportion of sigmoidal, density-dependent functional responses (Holling type III) as predatory fishes. The implications of this finding for prey population stability are significant because type III responses allow prey persistence while type II responses are de-stabilizing and can lead to extinction. Comparing per capita predation rates across diverse taxa can provide integrative insights into predatory effects and the ability of predation to drive community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P. Dunn
- Coastal and Marine Institute and Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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27
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Start D, Gilbert B. Trait variation across biological scales shapes community structure and ecosystem function. Ecology 2019; 100:e02769. [PMID: 31162633 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Trait variation underlies our understanding of the patterns and importance of biodiversity, yet we have a poor understanding of how variation at different levels of biological organization structures communities and ecosystems. Here, we use a mesocosm experiment to test for the effects of a larval dragonfly functional trait on community and ecosystem dynamics by creating artificial populations to mirror within- and between-population trait variation observed in our study area. Specifically, we manipulate variation in activity rate, a key functional trait shaping food webs, across three levels of biological organization: within-populations (differences in trait variation in a population), among-populations (differences in population mean trait values), and among-species (species-level differences of co-occurring dragonflies). We show that differences in activity rate alter prey communities, trophic cascades, and multiple ecosystem processes. However, trait variation among populations had much larger effects than differences between co-occurring species or even the presence of a predator, whereas within-population variation had a relatively minor impact. Interestingly, combined with earlier work in the same system, our study suggests that the relative importance of species vs. individual level differences for ecosystem functioning will depend on the spatial scale considered. Ecological processes, including biodiversity-ecosystem-functioning relationships, cannot be understood without accounting for trait variation across biological scales of organization, including at fine scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denon Start
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S3B2, Canada
| | - Benjamin Gilbert
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S3B2, Canada
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28
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Barrios-O'Neill D, Kelly R, Emmerson MC. Biomass encounter rates limit the size scaling of feeding interactions. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1870-1878. [PMID: 31436021 PMCID: PMC6852157 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The rate that consumers encounter resources in space necessarily limits the strength of feeding interactions that shape ecosystems. To explore the link between encounters and feeding, we first compiled the largest available dataset of interactions in the marine benthos by extracting data from published studies and generating new data. These data indicate that the size-scaling of feeding interactions varies among consumer groups using different strategies (passive or active) to encounter different resource types (mobile or static), with filter feeders exhibiting the weakest feeding interactions. Next, we used these data to develop an agent-based model of resource biomass encounter rates, underpinned by consumer encounter strategy and resource biomass density. Our model demonstrates that passive strategies for encountering small, dispersed resources limits biomass encounter rates, necessarily limiting the strength of feeding interactions. Our model is based on generalisable assumptions, providing a framework to assess encounter-based drivers of consumption and coexistence across systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Barrios-O'Neill
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK.,School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Ruth Kelly
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mark C Emmerson
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
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29
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30
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Lichtenstein JLL, Daniel KA, Wong JB, Wright CM, Doering GN, Costa-Pereira R, Pruitt JN. Habitat structure changes the relationships between predator behavior, prey behavior, and prey survival rates. Oecologia 2019; 190:297-308. [PMID: 30707296 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The individual behavioral traits of predators and prey sometimes determine the outcome of their interactions. Here, we examine whether changes to habitat complexity alter the effects of predator and prey behavior on their survival rates. Specifically, we test whether behavioral traits (activity level, boldness, and perch height) measured in predators and prey or multivariate behavioral volumes best predict the survival rates of both trophic levels in staged mesocosms with contrasting structural complexity. Behavioral volumes and hypervolumes are a composite group-level behavioral diversity metric built from the individual-level behavioral traits we measured in predators and prey. We stocked mesocosms with a host plant and groups of cannibalistic predators (n = 5 mantises/mesocosm) and their prey (n = 15 katydids/mesocosm), and mesocosms varied in the presence/absence of additional non-living climbing structures. We found that mantis survival rates were unrelated to any behavioral metric considered here, but were higher in structurally complex mesocosms. Unexpectedly, katydids were more likely to survive when mantis groups occupied larger behavioral volumes, indicating that more behaviorally diverse predator groups are less lethal. Katydid mortality was also increased when both predators and prey exhibited higher average perch heights, but this effect was increased by the addition of supplemental structure. This is consistent with the expectation that structural complexity increases the effect of intraspecific behavioral variation on prey survival rates. Collectively, these results convey that the effects of predator and prey behavior on prey survival could depend highly on the environment in which they are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L L Lichtenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
| | - Karis A Daniel
- Department of Biology, Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, 17201, USA
| | - Joanna B Wong
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Colin M Wright
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Grant Navid Doering
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Raul Costa-Pereira
- Department of Ecology, São Paolo State University, São Paolo, 01049-010, Brazil
| | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
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31
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Hartley A, Shrader AM, Chamaillé-Jammes S. Can intrinsic foraging efficiency explain dominance status? A test with functional response experiments. Oecologia 2018; 189:105-110. [PMID: 30443677 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4302-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The functional response describes how food abundance affects the intake rate of foraging individuals, and as such, it can influence a wide range of ecological processes. In social species, dominance status can affect the functional response of competing individuals, but studies conducted in an interference-free context have provided contrasting results on the extent of between-individual variability in functional response. We tested the prediction that individuals intrinsically differ in their functional response, and that these differences could predict body weight and dominance status in social species. We used goats as a model species and performed foraging experiments to assess the functional response of these goats in an interference-free context. Our results show that some individuals are consistently better foragers than others, and these individuals were more likely to be heavier and dominant. Parameters of the functional response are, however, more strongly associated with dominance status than with body weight. We conclude that interference while foraging is not needed to explain body weight differences between dominant and subordinate individuals. We suggest that these differences can emerge from intrinsic differences in foraging efficiency between individuals, which could also allow better foragers to demonstrate greater tenacity during agonistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Hartley
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scotsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Adrian M Shrader
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scotsville, 3209, South Africa.,Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X28, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Simon Chamaillé-Jammes
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X28, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa. .,CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
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32
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Pruitt JN, Keiser CN, Banka BT, Liedle JS, Brooks AJ, Schmitt RJ, Holbrook SJ. Collective aggressiveness of an ecosystem engineer is associated with coral recovery. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carl N Keiser
- Rice University Academy of Fellows, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Brett T Banka
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - John S Liedle
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J Brooks
- Rice University Academy of Fellows, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Russell J Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Sally J Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Bertolini C, Montgomery WI, O’Connor NE. Habitat with small inter-structural spaces promotes mussel survival and reef generation. MARINE BIOLOGY 2018; 165:163. [PMID: 30363846 PMCID: PMC6182589 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-018-3426-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Spatially complex habitats provide refuge for prey and mediate many predator-prey interactions. Increasing anthropogenic pressures are eroding such habitats, reducing their complexity and potentially altering ecosystem stability on a global scale. Yet, we have only a rudimentary understanding of how structurally complex habitats create ecological refuges for most ecosystems. Better informed management decisions require an understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the provision of physical refuge and this may be linked to prey size, predator size and predator identity in priority habitats. We tested each of these factors empirically in a model biogenic reef system. Specifically, we tested whether mortality rates of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) of different sizes differed among: (i) different forms of reef structural distribution (represented as 'clumped', 'patchy' and 'sparse'); (ii) predator species identity (shore crab, Carcinus maenas and starfish, Asterias rubens); and (iii) predator size. The survival rate of small mussels was greatest in the clumped experimental habitat and larger predators generally consumed more prey regardless of the structural organisation of treatment. Small mussels were protected from larger A. rubens but not from larger C. maenas in the clumped habitats. The distribution pattern of structural objects, therefore, may be considered a useful proxy for reef complexity when assessing predator-prey interactions, and optimal organisations should be considered based on both prey and predator sizes. These findings are essential to understand ecological processes underpinning predation rates in structurally complex habitats and to inform future restoration and ecological engineering practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bertolini
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL Northern Ireland, UK
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Utrecht University, PO Box 140, 4401 NT Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - W. I. Montgomery
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nessa E. O’Connor
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL Northern Ireland, UK
- School of Natural Sciences, Zoology Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Ingram T, Burns ZD. Top-down control by an aquatic invertebrate predator increases with temperature but does not depend on individual behavioral type. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:8256-8265. [PMID: 30250700 PMCID: PMC6144970 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in behavioral traits among individuals within a population can have implications for food webs and ecosystems. Temperature change also alters food web structure and function, but potential interactions between warming and intraspecific behavioral variation are largely unexplored. We aimed to test how increased temperature, individual activity level of a predatory backswimmer (Anisops assimilis), and their interaction influenced the strength of top-down control of zooplankton and phytoplankton. We used stable isotopes to support our assumption that the study population of A. assimilis is zooplanktivorous, and behavioral trials to confirm that activity level is a repeatable trait. We established freshwater microcosms to test for effects of warming, backswimmer presence, and backswimmer behavioral type on zooplankton density, zooplankton composition, and phytoplankton chlorophyll a. Top-down control was present and was generally stronger at increased temperature. There was no indication that predator behavioral type influenced the strength of top-down control either on its own or interactively with temperature. Predator behavioral type may not be associated with ecologically important function in this species at the temporal and spatial scales addressed in this study, but the links between behavior, temperature, and food web processes are worthy of broader exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Ingram
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Zuri D. Burns
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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Belgrad BA, Griffen BD. Personality interacts with habitat quality to govern individual mortality and dispersal patterns. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:7216-7227. [PMID: 30073080 PMCID: PMC6065346 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual phenotypic differences are increasingly recognized as key drivers of ecological processes. However, studies examining the relative importance of these differences in comparison with environmental factors or how individual phenotype interacts across different environmental contexts remain lacking. We performed two field experiments to assess the concurrent roles of personality differences and habitat quality in mediating individual mortality and dispersal. We quantified the predator avoidance response of mud crabs, Panopeus herbstii, collected from low- and high-quality oyster reefs and measured crab loss in a caging experiment. We simultaneously measured the distance crabs traveled as well as the stability of personalities across reef quality in a separate reciprocal transplant experiment. Habitat quality was the primary determinant of crab loss, although the distance crabs traveled was governed by personality which interacted with habitat quality to control the fate of crabs. Here, crabs on low-quality reefs rapidly emigrated, starting with the boldest individuals, and experienced modest levels of predation regardless of personality. In contrast, both bold and shy crabs would remain on high-quality reefs for months where bolder individuals experienced higher predation risk. These findings suggest that personalities could produce vastly different population dynamics across habitat quality and govern community responses to habitat degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Belgrad
- Marine Science ProgramSchool of Earth, Ocean, and EnvironmentUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaSouth Carolina
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36
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Lichtenstein JLL, Rice HK, Pruitt JN. Personality variation in two predator species does not impact prey species survival or plant damage in staged mesocosms. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2487-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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37
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Li Y, Rall BC, Kalinkat G. Experimental duration and predator satiation levels systematically affect functional response parameters. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanheng Li
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
- J. F. Blumenbach Inst. of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg August Univ.; Göttingen Germany
| | - Björn C. Rall
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
- Inst. of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller Univ. Jena; Jena Germany
| | - Gregor Kalinkat
- Dept of Biology and Ecology of Fishes; Leibniz-Inst. of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310; DE-12587 Berlin Germany
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38
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Lichtenstein JLL, Chism GT, Kamath A, Pruitt JN. Intraindividual Behavioral Variability Predicts Foraging Outcome in a Beach-dwelling Jumping Spider. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18063. [PMID: 29273746 PMCID: PMC5741732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18359-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal personality, defined as consistent differences between individuals in behavior, has been the subject of hundreds if not thousands of papers. However, little work explores the fitness consequences of variation in behavior within individuals, or intraindividual variability (IIV). We probe the effects of behavioral IIV on predator-prey interaction outcomes in beach-dwelling jumping spiders (Terralonus californicus). Prior studies have found that spiders with higher body condition (body mass relative to size) behave more variably. Thus, we hypothesized that jumping spider activity level IIV would relate positively to foraging performance. To address this, we tested for associations between activity IIV, average activity level, and two measures of foraging success in laboratory mesocosms: change in spider mass and the number of prey killed. Activity IIV positively correlated with the mass that spiders gained from prey, but not with the number of prey killed. This suggests that spiders with high IIV consumed a greater proportion of their prey or used less energy. Interestingly, average activity level (personality) predicted neither metric of foraging success, indicating that behavioral IIV can predict metrics of success that personality does not. Therefore, our findings suggest that IIV should be considered alongside personality in studies of predator-prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L L Lichtenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
| | - Gregory T Chism
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Entomology and Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Ambika Kamath
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
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39
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Zwolak R. How intraspecific variation in seed-dispersing animals matters for plants. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:897-913. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Zwolak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89; 61-614 Poznań Poland
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40
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41
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Lichtenstein JLL, Wright CM, McEwen B, Pinter-Wollman N, Pruitt JN. The multidimensional behavioural hypervolumes of two interacting species predict their space use and survival. Anim Behav 2017; 132:129-136. [PMID: 29681647 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Individual animals differ consistently in their behaviour, thus impacting a wide variety of ecological outcomes. Recent advances in animal personality research have established the ecological importance of the multidimensional behavioural volume occupied by individuals and by multispecies communities. Here, we examine the degree to which the multidimensional behavioural volume of a group predicts the outcome of both intra- and interspecific interactions. In particular, we test the hypothesis that a population of conspecifics will experience low intraspecific competition when the population occupies a large volume in behavioural space. We further hypothesize that populations of interacting species will exhibit greater interspecific competition when one or both species occupy large volumes in behavioural space. We evaluate these hypotheses by studying groups of katydids (Scudderia nymphs) and froghoppers (Philaenus spumarius), which compete for food and space on their shared host plant, Solidago canadensis. We found that individuals in single-species groups of katydids positioned themselves closer to one another, suggesting reduced competition, when groups occupied a large behavioural volume. When both species were placed together, we found that the survival of froghoppers was greatest when both froghoppers and katydids occupied a small volume in behavioural space, particularly at high froghopper densities. These results suggest that groups that occupy large behavioural volumes can have low intraspecific competition but high interspecific competition. Thus, behavioural hypervolumes appear to have ecological consequences at both the level of the population and the community and may help to predict the intensity of competition both within and across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L L Lichtenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A
| | - Colin M Wright
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A
| | - Brendan McEwen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Noa Pinter-Wollman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A
| | - Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A
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42
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Pritchard DW, Paterson RA, Bovy HC, Barrios‐O'Neill D. frair
: an R package for fitting and comparing consumer functional responses. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Pritchard
- Department of Marine Sciences University of Otago PO Box 56 Dunedin 9054 New Zealand
- Te Ao Tūroa, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Dunedin 9054 New Zealand
| | - Rachel A. Paterson
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast BT9 7LB UK
- School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff CF10 3AX UK
| | - Helene C. Bovy
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast BT9 7LB UK
| | - Daniel Barrios‐O'Neill
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast BT9 7LB UK
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation Penryn Campus University of Exeter Penryn Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
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43
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Moran NP, Wong BBM, Thompson RM. Weaving animal temperament into food webs: implications for biodiversity. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Moran
- School of Biological Science; Wellington Rd Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Bob B. M. Wong
- School of Biological Science; Wellington Rd Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Ross M. Thompson
- Thompson, Inst. for Applied Ecology, Univ. of Canberra; Bruce, ACT Australia
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44
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Pruitt JN. Are personality researchers painting the roses red? Maybe: a comment on Beekman and Jordan. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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45
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Harrison PM, Gutowsky LFG, Martins EG, Ward TD, Patterson DA, Cooke SJ, Power M. Individual isotopic specializations predict subsequent inter-individual variation in movement in a freshwater fish. Ecology 2017; 98:608-615. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. M. Harrison
- Department of Biology; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory; Carleton University; Ottawa Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada
- Department of Biology; University of Waterloo; Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - L. F. G. Gutowsky
- Department of Biology; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory; Carleton University; Ottawa Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada
- Aquatic Resource and Monitoring Section; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; Peterborough Ontario K9L1Z8 Canada
| | - E. G. Martins
- Department of Biology; University of Waterloo; Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - T. D. Ward
- Department of Biology; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory; Carleton University; Ottawa Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - D. A. Patterson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Cooperative Research Management Institute; Resource and Environmental Management; Simon Fraser University; Burnaby British Columbia V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - S. J. Cooke
- Department of Biology; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory; Carleton University; Ottawa Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - M. Power
- Department of Biology; University of Waterloo; Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
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46
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Pruitt JN, Howell KA, Gladney SJ, Yang Y, Lichtenstein JLL, Spicer ME, Echeverri SA, Pinter-Wollman N. Behavioral Hypervolumes of Predator Groups and Predator-Predator Interactions Shape Prey Survival Rates and Selection on Prey Behavior. Am Nat 2017; 189:254-266. [PMID: 28221831 PMCID: PMC5476219 DOI: 10.1086/690292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions often vary on the basis of the traits of the individual predators and prey involved. Here we examine whether the multidimensional behavioral diversity of predator groups shapes prey mortality rates and selection on prey behavior. We ran individual sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) through three behavioral assays to characterize individuals' behavioral phenotype along three axes. We then created groups that varied in the volume of behavioral space that they occupied. We further manipulated the ability of predators to interact with one another physically via the addition of barriers. Prey snails (Chlorostome funebralis) were also run through an assay to evaluate their predator avoidance behavior before their use in mesocosm experiments. We then subjected pools of prey to predator groups and recorded the number of prey consumed and their behavioral phenotypes. We found that predator-predator interactions changed survival selection on prey traits: when predators were prevented from interacting, more fearful snails had higher survival rates, whereas prey fearfulness had no effect on survival when predators were free to interact. We also found that groups of predators that occupied a larger volume in behavioral trait space consumed 35% more prey snails than homogeneous predator groups. Finally, we found that behavioral hypervolumes were better predictors of prey survival rates than single behavioral traits or other multivariate statistics (i.e., principal component analysis). Taken together, predator-predator interactions and multidimensional behavioral diversity determine prey survival rates and selection on prey traits in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N. Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93608
| | - Kimberly A. Howell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15620
| | - Shaniqua J. Gladney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15620
| | - Yusan Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15620
| | - James L. L. Lichtenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93608
| | - Michelle Elise Spicer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15620
| | - Sebastian A. Echeverri
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15620
| | - Noa Pinter-Wollman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
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47
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Start D, Gilbert B. Predator personality structures prey communities and trophic cascades. Ecol Lett 2017; 20:366-374. [PMID: 28120366 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intraspecific variation is central to our understanding of evolution and population ecology, yet its consequences for community ecology are poorly understood. Animal personality - consistent individual differences in suites of behaviours - may be particularly important for trophic dynamics, where predator personality can determine activity rates and patterns of attack. We used mesocosms with aquatic food webs in which the top predator (dragonfly nymphs) varied in activity and subsequent attack rates on zooplankton, and tested the effects of predator personality. We found support for four hypotheses: (1) active predators disproportionately reduce the abundance of prey, (2) active predators select for predator-resistant prey species, (3) active predators strengthen trophic cascades (increase phytoplankton abundance) and (4) active predators are more likely to cannibalise one another, weakening all other trends when at high densities. These results suggest that intraspecific variation in predator personality is an important determinant of prey abundance, community composition and trophic cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denon Start
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3B3
| | - Benjamin Gilbert
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3B3
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48
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Michalko R, Pekár S. The Behavioral Type of a Top Predator Drives the Short-Term Dynamic of Intraguild Predation. Am Nat 2017; 189:242-253. [PMID: 28221826 DOI: 10.1086/690501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Variation in behavior among individual top predators (i.e., the behavioral type) can strongly shape pest suppression in intraguild predation (IGP). However, the effect of a top predator's behavioral type-namely, foraging aggressiveness (number of killed divided by prey time) and prey choosiness (preference degree for certain prey type)-on the dynamic of IGP may interact with the relative abundances of top predator, mesopredator, and pest. We investigated the influence of the top predator's behavioral type on the dynamic of IGP in a three-species system with a top predator spider, a mesopredator spider, and a psyllid pest using a simulation model. The model parameters were estimated from laboratory experiments and field observations. The top predator's behavioral type altered the food-web dynamics in a context-dependent manner. The system with an aggressive/nonchoosy top predator, without prey preferences between pest and mesopredator, suppressed the pest more when the top predator to mesopredator abundance ratio was high. In contrast, the system with a timid/choosy top predator that preferred the pest to the mesopredator was more effective when the ratio was low. Our results show that the behavioral types and abundances of interacting species need to be considered together when studying food-web dynamics, because they evidently interact. To improve biocontrol efficiency of predators, research on the alteration of their behavioral types is needed.
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49
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Pruitt JN. Behavioural hypervolumes of spider communities predict community performance and disbandment. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:20161409. [PMID: 27974515 PMCID: PMC5204141 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trait-based ecology argues that an understanding of the traits of interactors can enhance the predictability of ecological outcomes. We examine here whether the multidimensional behavioural-trait diversity of communities influences community performance and stability in situ We created experimental communities of web-building spiders, each with an identical species composition. Communities contained one individual of each of five different species. Prior to establishing these communities in the field, we examined three behavioural traits for each individual spider. These behavioural measures allowed us to estimate community-wide behavioural diversity, as inferred by the multidimensional behavioural volume occupied by the entire community. Communities that occupied a larger region of behavioural-trait space (i.e. where spiders differed more from each other behaviourally) gained more mass and were less likely to disband. Thus, there is a community-wide benefit to multidimensional behavioural diversity in this system that might translate to other multispecies assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Pruitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9610, USA
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50
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Kain MP, McCoy MW. Anti-predator behavioral variation among Physa acuta in response to temporally fluctuating predation risk by Procambarus. Behav Processes 2016; 133:S0376-6357(16)30318-7. [PMID: 27984081 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Research in behavioral ecology routinely quantifies individual variation in behavior using transitions between discrete environments, for example prey moving from a no predator to predator treatment. This research often ignores behavioral variation in response to temporal fluctuations in environmental conditions around an unchanging mean environment. In this study we evaluate the effects of temporal fluctuations in predation risk (predator cue concentration of Procambarus spp.), without the confounding effects of a changing mean, on among-individual variation in anti-predator behavior in freshwater snails (Physa acuta). We also evaluate how the interaction between environmental and individual variation affects snail survival and reproduction by exposing snails to lethal predators following the behavioral assays. Our analyses revealed a trend towards higher among-individual variation in mean behavior when snails were exposed to intermediate levels of environmental variation compared to highly variable or constant environments. However, because of large uncertainty in estimates of among-individual variation, differences among treatments were indistinguishable from noise for most, but not all behaviors. In the lethal predator trials, snail survival and time to mortality was the lowest in the high variation environment. Also, as environmental variation increased snail egg production decreased and snails laid more of their eggs underneath a provided shelter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan P Kain
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, LSB-215, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Michael W McCoy
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, N108 Howell Science Complex, Greenville, NC 27858, United States
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