{"title":"Effects of predator species, composition and light environment on prey escape behaviours of invasive and native benthic fishes","authors":"N. O. Michels, T. R. Hrabik, A. F. Mensinger","doi":"10.1111/eff.12777","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The behaviour of two benthic species, round goby (<i>Neogobius melanostomus</i>) and mottled sculpin (<i>Cottus bairdii</i>), were examined under natural relevant downwelling light during predatory attacks by Burbot (<i>Lota lota</i>) and Smallmouth Bass (<i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>). Population declines have been observed for mottled sculpin after round goby invaded the Laurentian Great Lakes, but no data exist on prey avoidance behaviours and success for either species. The activity levels of the prey species were measured in the presence and absence of predators. Predator–prey interactions were quantified for reaction, attack, capture and retention probabilities. In addition, flight initiation distance, turns per flee and a comparison between observed and optimal escape angles were used as escape metrics to examine differences in prey survival. Trials were run under downwelling irradiances calculated for Lake Superior that correlated with dark, civil twilight, and sunrise. The number of round goby movements decreased by 74% in the presence of predators while mottled sculpin movement declined by 95% compared to baselines established without predators. Round gobies were more successful at evading predation with 18.3% of mottled sculpins consumed compared to 8.5% of round gobies during a comparable number (<i>n</i> = 27) trials. Round gobies also fled closer to their theoretically calculated optimal angles than mottled sculpin. Greater variation in flight initiation distances at different light intensities, fleeing at optimum angles that avoid predation and a more erratic escape path led to increased escape success for round gobies. Greater success avoiding predators may be another compounding factor, combined with round goby aggression and competition, that has contributed to the success of the round goby invasion in the Laurentian Great Lakes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11422,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Freshwater Fish","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/eff.12777","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ecology of Freshwater Fish","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eff.12777","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"FISHERIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The behaviour of two benthic species, round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii), were examined under natural relevant downwelling light during predatory attacks by Burbot (Lota lota) and Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Population declines have been observed for mottled sculpin after round goby invaded the Laurentian Great Lakes, but no data exist on prey avoidance behaviours and success for either species. The activity levels of the prey species were measured in the presence and absence of predators. Predator–prey interactions were quantified for reaction, attack, capture and retention probabilities. In addition, flight initiation distance, turns per flee and a comparison between observed and optimal escape angles were used as escape metrics to examine differences in prey survival. Trials were run under downwelling irradiances calculated for Lake Superior that correlated with dark, civil twilight, and sunrise. The number of round goby movements decreased by 74% in the presence of predators while mottled sculpin movement declined by 95% compared to baselines established without predators. Round gobies were more successful at evading predation with 18.3% of mottled sculpins consumed compared to 8.5% of round gobies during a comparable number (n = 27) trials. Round gobies also fled closer to their theoretically calculated optimal angles than mottled sculpin. Greater variation in flight initiation distances at different light intensities, fleeing at optimum angles that avoid predation and a more erratic escape path led to increased escape success for round gobies. Greater success avoiding predators may be another compounding factor, combined with round goby aggression and competition, that has contributed to the success of the round goby invasion in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
期刊介绍:
Ecology of Freshwater Fish publishes original contributions on all aspects of fish ecology in freshwater environments, including lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. Manuscripts involving ecologically-oriented studies of behavior, conservation, development, genetics, life history, physiology, and host-parasite interactions are welcomed. Studies involving population ecology and community ecology are also of interest, as are evolutionary approaches including studies of population biology, evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, and historical ecology. Papers addressing the life stages of anadromous and catadromous species in estuaries and inshore coastal zones are considered if they contribute to the general understanding of freshwater fish ecology. Theoretical and modeling studies are suitable if they generate testable hypotheses, as are those with implications for fisheries. Manuscripts presenting analyses of published data are considered if they produce novel conclusions or syntheses. The journal publishes articles, fresh perspectives, and reviews and, occasionally, the proceedings of conferences and symposia.