Predator hunting modes induce varied selection pressures on prey personality
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Abstract Consistent individual differences in animal behavior—ie, personalities—have been documented in many taxa to have important fitness consequences in the context of predator-prey interactions. Multiple mechanisms have been suggested to maintain variation in prey personality traits, including life-history tradeoffs and divergent selection pressures from predators with different hunting strategies. However, empirical evidence for these hypotheses has been limited by a lack of data originating from complex multipredator systems in situ. To address this gap and evaluate these 2 mechanisms, we collected hispid cotton rats () in the Florida Everglades and quantified 3 behavioral traits in the field. After releasing rats at their point of capture, we monitored their survival in their natural habitat where they faced threats from a diversity of ambush (snakes) and active predators (mammals; birds). Using Cox proportional hazards regression models and competing risks models, we assessed the effect of boldness, activity, and docility on rodent predation risk. Contrary to conventional predictions that bolder and more active individuals would face higher predation risk due to life-history tradeoffs, we found that the impact of these traits on prey survival varied with the predators' hunting modes: shyer, more active individuals were more likely to be killed by active predators, whereas less active rats appeared more likely to be killed by ambush predators. Our study supports the hy
Abstract
Abstract Consistent individual differences in animal behavior—ie, personalities—have been documented in many taxa to have important fitness consequences in the context of predator-prey interactions. Multiple mechanisms have been suggested to maintain variation in prey personality traits, including life-history tradeoffs and divergent selection pressures from predators with different hunting strategies. However, empirical evidence for these hypotheses has been limited by a lack of data originating from complex multipredator systems in situ. To address this gap and evaluate these 2 mechanisms, we collected hispid cotton rats () in the Florida Everglades and quantified 3 behavioral traits in the field. After releasing rats at their point of capture, we monitored their survival in their natural habitat where they faced threats from a diversity of ambush (snakes) and active predators (mammals; birds). Using Cox proportional hazards regression models and competing risks models, we assessed the effect of boldness, activity, and docility on rodent predation risk. Contrary to conventional predictions that bolder and more active individuals would face higher predation risk due to life-history tradeoffs, we found that the impact of these traits on prey survival varied with the predators' hunting modes: shyer, more active individuals were more likely to be killed by active predators, whereas less active rats appeared more likely to be killed by ambush predators. Our study supports the hypothesis that a diversity of predator hunting strategies may help maintain trait variation in prey populations. We found that cotton rats, in the Florida Everglades, which showed different behavioral traits also experienced differing predation risk: shy, active rats were more likely to be killed by active predators (e.g., mammals, birds), but less active rats were more at risk for ambush predators (snakes). These findings suggest different predators may help maintain variation in prey behavior. teaser