Academic literature on the topic 'Predation escape dynamics'

Parasites seldom have predators but often fall victim to those of their hosts. How parasites respond to host predation can have important consequences for both hosts and parasites, though empirical investigations are rare. The exposure of wild juvenile salmon to sea lice ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis ) from salmon farms allowed us to study a novel ecological interaction: the response of sea lice to predation on their juvenile pink and chum salmon hosts by two salmonid predators—coho smolts and cut-throat trout. In approximately 70% of trials in which a predator consumed a parasitized prey, lice escaped predation by swimming or moving directly onto the predator. This trophic transmission is strongly male biased, probably because behaviour and morphology constrain female movement and transmission. These findings highlight the potential for sea lice to be transmitted up marine food webs in areas of intensive salmon aquaculture, with implications for louse population dynamics and predatory salmonid health.

The main objective of this study is to find out the influences of cooperation and intra-specific competition in the prey population on escaping predation through refuge and the effect of the two intra-specific interactions on the dynamics of prey–predator systems. For this purpose, two mathematical models with Holling type II functional response functions were proposed and analyzed. The first model includes cooperation among prey populations, whereas the second one incorporates intra-specific competition. The existence conditions and stability of different equilibrium points for both models were analyzed to determine the qualitative behaviors of the systems. Refuge through intra-specific competition has a stabilizing role, whereas cooperation has a destabilizing role on the system dynamics. Periodic oscillations were observed in both systems through Hopf bifurcation. From the analytical and numerical findings, we conclude that intra-specific competition affects the prey population and continuously controls the refuge class under a critical value, and thus, it never becomes too large to cause predator extinction due to food scarcity. Conversely, cooperation leads the maximal number of individuals to escape predation through the refuge so that predators suffer from low predation success.

Synopsis Prey species often modify their foraging and reproductive behaviors to avoid encounters with predators; yet once they are detected, survival depends on out-running, out-maneuvering, or fighting off the predator. Though predation attempts involve at least two individuals—namely, a predator and its prey—studies of escape performance typically measure a single trait (e.g., sprint speed) in the prey species only. Here, we develop a theoretical model in which the likelihood of escape is determined by the prey animal’s tactics (i.e., path trajectory) and its acceleration, top speed, agility, and deceleration relative to the performance capabilities of a predator. The model shows that acceleration, top speed, and agility are all important determinants of escape performance, and because speed and agility are biomechanically related to size, smaller prey with higher agility should force larger predators to run along curved paths that do not allow them to use their superior speeds. Our simulations provide clear predictions for the path and speed a prey animal should choose when escaping from predators of different sizes (thus, biomechanical constraints) and could be used to explore the dynamics between predators and prey.

The bopyrid isopod Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard, 1879) is a large, noticeable, hematophagous ectoparasite of palaemonid shrimps, including the daggerblade grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis, 1949. Bopyrids affect grass shrimp physiology and may also affect predator-prey dynamics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the isopod affected the behavior and/or camouflage of grass shrimp, thereby altering the predation preferences of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus, 1766). To determine whether the isopod affected predator preference through behavioral and/or camouflage alterations, paired combinations of unparasitized, parasitized, and marked shrimp were presented to mummichogs. One branchiostegite of some of the unparasitized shrimp was marked with black paint to mimic the bopyrid parasite. Mummichog predation preference and shrimp behavior immediately prior to predation events were recorded. All shrimp behavior was classified as motionless, walking, swimming, or backward thrusting. Immediately prior to predation, parasitized shrimp swam more () and backward thrusted less () than unparasitized shrimp. Mummichogs exhibited a preference for the more active shrimp (80.7% of shrimp; ), and also for the less camouflaged (parasitized or marked) shrimp (81.5% of shrimp; ) if there was no difference in shrimp behavior. Parasitized shrimp were preferentially consumed (51/85 shrimp) when paired with unparasitized shrimp (), but not with marked shrimp (). A 30-min activity budget was created for each type of shrimp both in the presence and absence of predators; neither the parasite nor marking affected their behavior over 30 min (). The major finding of this study was that P. pandalicola affected the predation preferences of F. heteroclitus by altering the behavior and/or camouflage of the grass shrimp. Parasitization alters predator-prey dynamics by decreasing the camouflage and the frequency of backward-thrusting behavior by the host when it is threatened by predation, which thereby decreases the ability of shrimp to escape from predators.

Aspects of the seed ecology of Hypericum gramineum Forster, a perennial forb that is native to Australia, were examined in several germination and seed predation experiments. Fresh seeds were innately dormant. Highest germination of non-dormant seeds occurred in the light at a temperature regime of approximately 35/25˚C. The results of field experiments indicated that there was no strongly seasonal effect on germination. Predators, such as ants, removed < 20% seeds, thereby suggesting that post-dispersal seed predation is relatively unimportant in the dynamics of H. gramineum populations. Seeds that escape predation and that fail to germinate after dispersal may be incorporated into a persistent soil seed bank.

The threat of predation, and the prey’s response, are important drivers of community dynamics. Yet environmental temperature can have a significant effect on predation avoidance techniques such as fast-start performance observed in marine fishes. While it is known that temperature increases can influence performance and behaviour in the short-term, little is known about how species respond to extended exposure during development. We produced a startle response in two species of damselfish, the lemon damselPomacentrus moluccensis,and the Ambon damselfishPomacentrus amboinensis,by the repeated use of a drop stimulus. We show that the length of thermal exposure of juveniles to elevated temperature significantly affects this escape responses.Short-term (4d) exposure to warmer temperature affected directionality and responsiveness for both species. After long-term (90d) exposure, onlyP. moluccensisshowed beneficial plasticity, with directionality returning to control levels. Responsiveness also decreased in both species, possibly to compensate for higher temperatures. There was no effect of temperature or length of exposure on latency to react, maximum swimming speed, or escape distance suggesting that the physical ability to escape was maintained. Evidence suggests that elevated temperature may impact some fish species through its effect on the behavioural responses while under threat rather than having a direct influence on their physical ability to perform an effective escape response.

Predation is a fundamental interaction between species, yet it is largely unclear what tactics are successful for the survival or capture of prey. One challenge in this area comes with how to test theoretical ideas about strategy with experimental measurements of features such as speed, flush distance and escape angles. Tactics may be articulated with an analytical model that predicts the motion of predator or prey as they interact. However, it may be difficult to recognize how the predictions of such models relate to behavioural measurements that are inherently variable. Here, we present an alternative approach for modelling predator–prey interactions that uses deterministic dynamics, yet incorporates experimental kinematic measurements of natural variation to predict the outcome of biological events. This technique, called probabilistic analytical modelling (PAM), is illustrated by the interactions between predator and prey fish in two case studies that draw on recent experiments. In the first case, we use PAM to model the tactics of predatory bluefish ( Pomatomus saltatrix ) as they prey upon smaller fish ( Fundulus heteroclitus ). We find that bluefish perform deviated pure pursuit with a variable pursuit angle that is suboptimal for the time to capture. In the second case, we model the escape tactics of zebrafish larvae ( Danio rerio ) when approached by adult predators of the same species. Our model successfully predicts the measured patterns of survivorship using measured probability density functions as parameters. As these results demonstrate, PAM is a data-driven modelling approach that can be predictive, offers analytical transparency, and does not require numerical simulations of system dynamics. Though predator–prey interactions demonstrate the use of this technique, PAM is not limited to studying biological systems and has broad utility that may be applied towards understanding a wide variety of natural and engineered dynamical systems where data-driven modelling is beneficial.

Abstract Optimal escape theory has proven useful for understanding the dynamics of antipredator behaviour in animals; however, approaches are often limited to single-population studies. We studied how the escape behaviour of tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) varied across a disturbance gradient. We also considered how sex, body temperature, and perch temperature affected their escape decisions. Both sexes exhibited similar response patterns; however, lizards in the most-disturbed habitat, as well as cooler (body or perch temperature) lizards, initiated escape earlier (but did not flee further) than other animals. Increased wariness as indicated by earlier escape suggests that frequently-disturbed, more-open localities may be stressful habitats for species like U. ornatus. In addition, because cooler temperatures limit locomotor performance capacity, escape decisions should also depend on a species’ thermal ecology. Overall, we stress the importance of multi-population approaches for capturing the variety of ways species adaptively respond to the threat of predation across habitat gradients.

While there is increasing interest in non-consumptive effects of predators on prey, physiological effects are understudied. While physiological stress responses play a crucial role in preparing escape responses, the increased metabolic rates and shunting of energy away from other body functions, including antioxidant defence, may generate costs in terms of increased oxidative stress. Here, we test whether predation risk increases oxidative damage in Enallagma cyathigerum damselfly larvae. Under predation risk, larvae showed higher lipid peroxidation, which was associated with lower levels of superoxide dismutase, a major antioxidant enzyme in insects, and higher superoxide anion concentrations, a potent reactive oxygen species. The mechanisms underlying oxidative damage are likely to be due to the shunting of energy away from antioxidant defence and to an increased metabolic rate, suggesting that the observed increased oxidative damage under predation risk may be widespread. Given the potentially severe fitness consequences of oxidative damage, this largely overlooked non-consumptive effect of predators may be contributing significantly to prey population dynamics.

Hypoxia is a phenomenon occurring in marine coastal areas with increasing frequency. While hypoxia has been documented to affect fish activity and metabolism, recent evidence shows that hypoxia can also have a detrimental effect on various antipredator behaviours. Here, we review such evidence with a focus on the effect of hypoxia on fish escape responses, its modulation by aquatic surface respiration (ASR) and schooling behaviour. The main effect of hypoxia on escape behaviour was found in responsiveness and directionality. Locomotor performance in escapes was expected to be relatively independent of hypoxia, since escape responses are fuelled anaerobically. However, hypoxia decreased locomotor performance in some species (Mugilidae) although only in the absence of ASR in severe hypoxia. ASR allows fish to show higher escape performance than fish staying in the water column where hypoxia occurs. This situation provides a trade-off whereby fish may perform ASR in order to avoid the detrimental effects of hypoxia, although they would be subjected to higher exposure to aerial predation. As a result of this trade-off, fishes appear to minimize surfacing behaviour in the presence of aerial predators and to surface near shelters, where possible. For many fish species, schooling can be an effective antipredator behaviour. Severe hypoxia may lead to the disruption of the school unit. At moderate levels, hypoxia can increase school volume and can change the shuffling behaviour of individuals. By altering school structure and dynamics, hypoxia may affect the well functioning of schooling in terms of synchronization and execution of antipredator manoeuvres. School structure and volume appear to be the results of numerous trade-offs, where school shape may be dictated by the presence of predators, the need for energy saving via hydrodynamic advantages and oxygen level. The effects of hypoxia on aquatic organisms can be taxon specific. While hypoxia may not necessarily increase the vulnerability of fish subject to predation by other fish (since feeding in fish also decreases in hypoxia), predators from other taxa such as birds, jellyfish or aquatic mammals may take advantage of the detrimental effects of hypoxia on fish escape ability. Therefore, the effect of hypoxia on fish antipredator behaviours may have major consequences for the composition of aquatic communities.

Spatial structures are ubiquitous in populations of plants, animals and cells, typically occurring as clustering or segregation. These spatial structures influence how individuals interact and the overall population dynamics. Yet, these details are rarely accounted for in classical population dynamics models. Through Individual-based and continuum models, I show that spatial structures can dramatically alter population dynamics. The thesis specifically explores the role of spatial structure in biologically and ecologically relevant scenarios, such as the movement of cells in the presence of biological obstacles, directional movement of animals in response to interaction with others (chase-escape dynamics), predator-prey dynamics, and Allee kinetics.

Collective movement is a fundamental process affecting the survival and reproductive success of group-living animals. Many of the hypothesized benefits of grouping such as predation evasion and foraging efficiency may require the individuals to move in a coordinated way. While moving in groups, animals are not only responding to the environment but also interacting with each other. These interactions give rise to emergent collective movement and behavioural patterns. Such visually spectacular patterns may arise from simple local interactions between the individuals. Individuals also respond to their environment (habitat structure) and predators. These external factors (habitat and predation) may further affect individuals' social interactions and hence ultimately affect the collective behavioural patterns. Most studies on the emergent properties of collective behaviour are conducted in controlled conditions. However, in natural settings, habitats are heterogeneous in resource distribution, availability of hiding places and substrate for movement. Empirical studies have rarely investigated such fine-scale interactions (e.g. alignment, attraction among individuals) in their natural habitat. One reason for the shortage of such studies is the difficulty of data collection. Recent advances in techniques of aerial imagery allow us to observe and record such fine-scale data. For my PhD project, I studied the collective behaviour of blackbuck herds in their natural habitat. More specifically, I investigated the collective response of blackbuck herds to predation-like events. By analysing fine-scale movement patterns and multiple interactions among group members simultaneously, I aimed to understand the role of social interactions in shaping blackbuck herd's collective response when faced with predation-like threats. First, we overcome the difficulty of observing fine-scale interactions in animal groups (in their natural habitat) using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). We recorded blackbuck herding behaviour at high spatio-temporal resolutions (30 frames per second). Using this method, we were able to record blackbuck herd’s collective escape behaviour in the context of predation using controlled-simulated threats. Tracking animals in the videos recorded in natural habitat is extremely difficult due to varying background and light conditions and clutter in the background. Relatively basic image processing methods and default tools do not perform satisfactorily in such a scenario. Hence, we developed a machine learning method (using Convolutional Neural Networks) and GUI tool to extract all the individuals' spatial locations and movement trajectories from the videos recorded in natural field conditions. Once we were able to obtain the movement trajectories from the videos, we then analyse these trajectories and interactions between individuals to explore - how the information about predatory risk spreads through a group in natural conditions. Broadly, our results suggest that transient leader-follower relationships emerge in these groups while performing a high-speed coordinated movement. Also, males and females respond differently to the threat scenario: adult females are more likely to be the response initiators, whereas adult breeding males are more likely to influence the group movement during the escape response. Our results indicate that in fission-fusion groups, associations are likely to last for short time scales and spatial positions of the individuals only affect their response-time (vigilance behaviour) but not their influence on the group. This study throws light on how fission-fusion groups operate and function, and we see a distinct set of decision rules emerging in such groups. It also provides a framework to study other types of animal societies which may aid in further exploring the ecological conditions that may favour the evolution of different sets of decision rules.

The tremendous growth of the fish farming industry in Norway over the past decades was supported by new designs and materials for fish farms, enabling bigger fish cages to be positioned in more exposed sea areas. Today, the nets of most fish cages in Norway are made from nylon. Nylon nets are lightweight, relatively easy to handle and at the low cost end of proposed net materials. However, nylon nets also have some unfortunate characteristics like low abrasion resistance and limited tensile strength. Thus, new net materials are proposed to better prevent escapes, protect fish from predator attacks, improve the stability of fish cages and reduce bio-fouling. Some of these materials are stiff in at least one direction and there still is a lack of knowledge about the behavior of nets with bending stiffness in currents and waves. The aim of this study was to determine how nets with bending stiffness deform in different currents and how the deformation influences the drag on the nets and to compare the results with predictions from a numerical model. Three types of net (PET, copper and steel) were clamped to a solid steel bar on the top side, but were otherwise unrestricted. Reflective markers were mounted on the nets and an optical tracking system was used to determine the position of the markers during the tests, thus allowing the determination of the deformation of the net panels. The forces on the net panels were measured with a multi-axis force/torque sensor system. The nets were subjected to several flow speeds between 0.1 and 0.9 m/s. It is shown that bending stiffness and density of nets affect net deformation, as both parameters impact the balance between drag and gravitational forces on the nets. Net deformation leads to a decrease of the projected net area. As the rate of deformation with current speed varies greatly between different net types, the discrepancy between measured drag and drag values normalized to the projected net area at different current speeds follows different relationships for different nets. A numerical model, FhSim was able to predict net deformation of nets with bending stiffness well and it is shown that FhSim could not only account for the effect of bending stiffness on net deformation, but also that the model captures the structural dynamics of nets with bending stiffness in a current.