Flexible antipredator behavior in a dragonfly species that coexists with different predator types

Abstract

Two of the main predators of dragonfly larvae, insectivorous fish in communities with fish and large dragonfly species in communities without fish, differ markedly in their mode of predation. In general, dragonfly species coexist successfully with one predator or the other, but larvae of the dragonfly Pachydiplax longipennis can coexist successfully with both. I examined the behavioral response of these larvae to a simulated predator attack to determine whether their response (1) differs between the two communities, and (2) is sensitive to waterborne cues about the type of predator present. I compared larvae from two different communities: fish ponds where insectivorous fish were the top predators, and fish‐free ponds where large dragonflies were the top predators. Larvae from fish‐free ponds actively moved away from an attack significantly more than did larvae from fish ponds, provided each was attacked in its native pond water. Larvae collected from a fish‐free pond but then attacked in fish water moved less than did controls (larvae attacked in fish‐free water). Likewise, larvae collected from a fish pond but attacked in fish‐free water moved more than did controls (larvae attacked in fish water). Larvae attacked first in water from their native pond and then in water from the contrasting pond changed their response in the expected direction. These results indicate that escape behavior in P. longipennis differs between communities with different predator types and is sensitive to waterborne cues in a manner consistent with the mode of predation employed by each predator.

Predator-specific camouflage in chameleons

“…One solution is for prey to adjust their defensive behaviour or appearance in response to these different predators (Hopper 2001;Templeton & Shriner 2004;Stuart-Fox et al 2006;Langridge et al 2007;Rundus et al 2007). For example, ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) augment infrared emission only when performing deterrent displays to infrared sensitive predators and not others (Rundus et al 2007) and juvenile cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) show threatening colour patterns to deter visual, but not chemosensory, predators (Langridge et al 2007).…”

Balancing predation risk, social interference, and foraging opportunities in backswimmers, Notonecta maculata

“…Most studies of responses of aquatic invertebrates to predation risk have considered only the risk of other aquatic predators, including the risk of predation by individuals of the same species (Sih 1982(Sih , 1997Streams 1992;Hopper 2001). Risk of predation, foraging efficiency, and intra-and/or interspecific competition have led to different patterns of habitat selection among Notonecta species (Cockrell 1984;Giller and McNeill 1981;Streams 1987;Briers and Warren 1999).…”

Characterization of chemical defenses in ranid tadpoles against a fish predator

“…Prey species are likely to favor predator-avoidance strategies that are effective against predators that are encountered most frequently (Hopper 2001;Teplitsky et al 2003;Mikolajewski and Johansson 2004). The tadpoles of the three anuran species used in this study are frequently observed within the same ponds, often in the presence of the fish predator used in our trials (Takahara, personal observation).…”