Behavioural changes of native freshwater prawn in the presence of a predator fish.
Behav Processes
; 221: 105095, 2024 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39245395
ABSTRACT
Predation pressure influences animal behaviour in relation to feeding, exposure to predators and habitat use. In the presence of a predator, prey usually decreases feeding and activity, avoiding predation-risk areas. This study evaluated the visual effects of a predator fish (red-bellied piranha Pygocentrus nattereri) on the behaviour and habitat use of Macrobrachium jelskii prawn. It was hypothesized that prawns would modify their behaviour in the presence of a predator, decreasing their general activity (foraging and locomotion) and seeking shelter more frequently. Twenty behavioural tests were carried out without and with the presence of a predator using five different M. jelskii individuals per trial. Behavioural data were collected using scan sampling with instantaneous recording of behaviours every 15â¯s during 5â¯min in each trial. The presence of the predator caused prawns to decrease their locomotion and feeding and increase environment exploration and predator inspection. Prawns used the shelter more frequently when the predator was present. Red-bellied piranha elicited anti-predator behaviour in M. jelskii. The patterns observed suggested that the most common anti-predatory behaviours exhibited by M. jelskii are beneficial as they reduce vigilance and active anti-predation strategies, such as escape.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Predatoria
/
Conducta Animal
/
Palaemonidae
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Behav Processes
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos