Smelling danger: Lady beetle odors affect aphid population abundance and feeding, but not movement between plants

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 71, P. 1 - 8

Published: May 24, 2023

Predator-prey interactions are complex ecological that influence community structure and function. Predators affect prey density directly by consuming removing from the environment. Additionally, predators can elicit non-consumptive effects in which survival altering behavior physiology. Key to understanding consequences of for populations is determining mechanisms detection predation risk. With insects, olfactory cues commonly used convey information. It has been shown insect may eavesdrop on predator odor as a means determine Herein, we assessed whether volatile odors predatory Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian lady beetle) (feeding dispersal behaviors) performance (population abundance) aphids (Myzus persicae). Aphids reduced phloem ingestion when feeding close proximity beetle cues, however, did not drive relocate plants or disperse across away source. The lack observed contrast studies show increased aphid movement presence make physical contact with aphids. We also found had population-level effect aphids, 25% reduction population abundance cues. This study highlights anti-predator strategies differ depending mechanism risk (i.e. versus stimuli), context they experience them, raises question responses maladaptive beneficial survival. These conclusions critical both our basic driving predator-prey well providing insight into pest-natural enemy within agricultural landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Reviewing theory, design, and analysis of tethering experiments to enhance our understanding of predation

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 171(10)

Published: Sept. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Measuring the benefit of a defensive trait: Vigilance and survival probability

Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 30, 2024

Abstract Defensive traits are hypothesized to benefit prey by reducing predation risk from a focal predator but come at cost the fitness of prey. Variation in expression defensive is seen among individuals within same population, and individual response changes environment (i.e., phenotypically plastic responses). It relative magnitude trait that underlies its consequences community. However, whereas has received much attention ecological research, seldom examined. Even as extensively studied vigilance, there few studies purported behavior, namely vigilance enhances survival. We examined whether increased survival quantified natural system, with white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) experiencing unmanipulated levels Florida panther Puma concolor coryi ). Deer spent more time vigilant (as measured head position using camera trap data) had higher probability Indeed, an was 75% than three times likely be killed panthers over course year 95% time. Our results therefore show within‐population variation profound for it confers. provide empirical evidence supporting long‐held seldom‐tested hypothesis, behavior reduces quantifies this trait. work furthers understanding net effects on predator–prey interactions, traits, effects.

Language: Английский

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The impact of food availability on risk-induced trait responses in prey

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 34(6), P. 1036 - 1042

Published: Sept. 23, 2023

Abstract Prey respond to predation risk by altering their morphology, physiology, and behavior, responses that may come at a cost prey foraging growth. However, perception of depend upon the environmental context in which interaction occurs. Here, we examined how food availability influenced prey’s nonlethal but free-ranging predator. We used an experimental mesocosm set-up intertidal system green crab (Carcinus maenas) predators dogwhelk snail (Nucella lapillus) prey, with blue mussels as basal resource. measured individual Nucella risk-aversion behavior (summed value habitat use) growth throughout 28-day experiment. found when were exposed risk, they had greater was available compared not. also increased over time all treatments individuals always behavior. significantly more provided without. In food, snails reduced those not risk. without no effect on Our results support hypothesis resource increases costs avoidance, thus magnifies risk-induced non-consumptive effects. They provide insights into context-based effects prioritize safety versus depending perceived availability, responding.

Language: Английский

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Predator–prey systems as models for integrative research in biology: the value of a non-consumptive effects framework

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 226(19)

Published: Sept. 29, 2023

Predator-prey interactions are a cornerstone of many ecological and evolutionary processes that influence various levels biological organization, from individuals to ecosystems. Predators play crucial role in shaping ecosystems through the consumption prey species non-consumptive effects. Non-consumptive effects (NCEs) can induce changes behavior, including altered foraging strategies, habitat selection, life history anti-predator responses. These defensive strategies have physiological consequences for prey, affecting their growth, reproduction immune function name few. Numerous experimental studies incorporated NCEs investigating predator-prey dynamics past decade. Interestingly, systems also be used as models answer physiology, cognition adaptability questions. In this Commentary, I highlight research uses provide novel insights into cognition, adaptation, epigenetic inheritance aging. discuss evolution instinct, anxiety other cognitive disorders, brain connectomes, stress-induced aging development behavioral coping styles. outline how integrate investigation with advanced behavioral, genomic neurological tools health.

Language: Английский

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Landscape of fear in freshwater ecotones: How predation risk and light conditions affect mesopredator activity and foraging in springs

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 68(10), P. 1716 - 1725

Published: July 26, 2023

Abstract Springs are environments that can provide general insights into factors favouring diversity in ecotones, but they often neglected freshwater studies. One of the challenging processes acting ecotones is landscape fear (LOF), space–time variation perceived predation risk. Spring exploitation involves species mesopredators surface fresh water and become apex predators ground water, as case fire salamander larvae ( Salamandra salamandra ). Here, we aim to determine whether activity foraging patterns springs affected by LOF. We surveyed night‐ daytime abundance 15 assess predator occurrence. also reared 48 with without non‐lethal exposure within tanks simulating groundwater or light features. Before after a month rearing, tested larva efficiency catching prey when exposed chemical cues, both dark conditions. In field, number active was significantly higher during night. At night, across transition area between plots closer surface. Testing rearing conditions behaviour, capture more effective It less successful cues presence predators. Moreover, under were slower than those raised Our results show LOF interact extant environmental features constitute significant behavioural pressure for mesopredator living ecotones.

Language: Английский

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Food limitation reduces risk avoidance by prey, but does not increase kill rates in a simple predator–prey system

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

Abstract Prey often induce antipredator behaviors when balancing food acquisition against safety. The starvation–predation hypothesis (SPH) posits that, during shortages, the risk of starvation requires prey to forego behavior increase feeding rates. Such shifts in may further predation and therefore kill rates by predators. We tested SPH its consequences for a single large prey, predator system. In Argentine Andes, we evaluated whether avoidance vicuñas ( Vicugna vicugna ) decreased periods scarcity. From three years GPS relocations collected simultaneously from pumas Puma concolor ), resource selection functions revealed that increased their exposure nongrowing seasons reducing canyons increasing meadows, both which offer more higher quality than relatively safe plains. However, despite becoming risk‐prone seasons, did not change between growing seasons. Contrary evidence mesocosm experiments, relaxation translate into Our results enhance understanding interplay limitation predator–prey interactions within ecosystems improve ecologists' ability predict where behaviorally mediated trophic cascades are likely occur.

Language: Английский

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Patchy indirect effects: how predators drive landscape heterogeneity and influence ecosystem dynamics via localized pathways

Authorea (Authorea), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 29, 2022

Predators are widely recognized for their irreplaceable roles in regulating the abundance and altering traits of lower trophic levels. Yet, predators also have shaping community interactions ecological processes highly localized pathways, irrespective influence on prey density or behavior. We introduce a conceptual framework, patchy indirect effects , that outlines how indirectly affect other organisms via landscape patches. focus three main pathways provide examples detailed case studies herein: generating distributing carcasses, creating biogeochemical hotspots by concentrating nutrients derived from prey, killing ecosystem engineers create In each pathway, predation within discrete areas with measurable spatial temporal boundaries. Whereas density- trait-mediated function population-scale changes, concept drive heterogeneity dynamics – including scavenger interactions, nutrient cycling, parasite/disease transmission risk, local biodiversity through at individual- patch-level scales. Our synthesis provides more holistic view functional role ecosystems addressing landscapes addition to influencing behavior

Language: Английский

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Patchy indirect effects: predators contribute to landscape heterogeneity and ecosystem function via localized pathways

Authorea (Authorea), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Predators are widely recognized for their irreplaceable roles regulating the abundance and altering traits of lower trophic levels. also have in shaping community interactions ecological processes via highly localized pathways, irrespective influence on prey density or behavior. We synthesized empirical theoretical research describing how predators indirect effects confined to discrete patches landscape, we termed patchy predation . generate three main pathways: generating distributing carcasses, creating biogeochemical hotspots by concentrating nutrients derived from prey, killing ecosystem engineers that create patches. In each pathway, limited areas with measurable spatial temporal boundaries (i.e., patches). Our synthesis reveals diverse complex ways indirectly affect other species patches, ranging mediating scavenger interspecific parasite/disease transmission risk, biogeochemistry facilitating local biodiversity. show existing multi-scale frameworks (metapopulation, meta-ecosystem, patch dynamics concepts) offer insight into mechanisms underlying formation these within ecosystems. then provide basic guidelines can be quantified at both landscape scales, discuss predator-mediated ultimately increase heterogeneity contribute functioning. Whereas density- trait-mediated generally occur through population-scale changes, individual- patch-level pathways. provides a more holistic view functional role ecosystems addressing landscapes addition influencing behavior

Language: Английский

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Higher predation rate need not and did not lead to higher risk‐induced trait responses in related zooplankton species

Oikos, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(10)

Published: June 9, 2023

Predators can directly affect prey populations both through predation (consumption of prey) and risk‐induced trait responses (RITRs) that reduce risk but are often associated with a fitness cost. Thousands studies make clear RITRs (also termed anti‐predator or defensive traits) including changes in behavior, morphology, life history, employed by numerous taxa across diverse ecological systems, there is large variation their magnitude. A natural goal to elucidate the species circumstances for which what magnitude expected. candidate hypothesis experience higher mortality from predator will exhibit RITR. This an intuitive extension fact invulnerable animals not expected RITR, while vulnerable are. We present example clarifies why this relationship always when it Other factors may influence level RITR leading possibility positive problem using mesocosm experiment fish–cladoceran system variability rate on different cladoceran species. Results only did show relationship, rather negative trend between In fact, highly preyed upon respond, least had largest responses. These results clarify how interacts many determine prey.

Language: Английский

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