Sex-based defensive behavior influenced by threat level in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Albuquerque, Kamila Bento Cavalcanti de; Lira, André Felipe de Araújo

doi:10.1636/joa-s-20-074

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…This issue, in concert with potential bias from the stochasticity inherent in sampling snake communities in the Neotropics, may limit the generalizability of our results. However, experiments in other systems have also found the strongest defensive responses in trials that had the highest perceived risk (de Albuquerque & de Araujo Lira, 2021), indicating that this may be a more important form of context dependence than the specific identity of the predator. To disentangle the relative contributions of predator type and predation risk intensity to anti‐predator behavioral responses, future studies could leverage more realistic predator models, such as taxidermied mounts, while simultaneously varying the frequency of tactile contact (Cox et al., 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body size and predator cues structure variation in defensive displays of Neotropical calico snakes (Oxyrhopus spp.)

Sealey,

Larson,

Westeen

et al. 2024

Ethology

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Interactions between predator and prey are fundamental drivers of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Behavioral responses are one of the most common strategies that prey species use to deter predation, especially through highly stereotyped defensive displays. However, these displays are also predicted to show strong context‐dependence, in which individuals can dynamically employ different display elements as a function of their own characteristics (e.g., age and sex) or those of the predator (e.g., type of predator). In this study, we experimentally tested for the effects of four simulated predator cues on defensive displays in two species of South American calico snakes (genus Oxyrhopus). We found that juvenile snakes were both more likely to respond and to respond more strongly than adults and that displays were most common in response to tactile stimuli than to other treatments. However, we also found broad similarity across both simulated predator treatments and species in the components used in each snake's defensive display, suggesting a high degree of stereotyping. This research suggests an important role for both ontogeny and intensity of predation risk in structuring variation in defensive behavior in Neotropical snakes and emphasizes the foundational importance of context dependence in conceptual frameworks for understanding predator–prey interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body size and predator cues structure variation in defensive displays of Neotropical calico snakes (Oxyrhopus spp.)

Sealey,

Larson,

Westeen

et al. 2024

Ethology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Fear as an enemy? Behavioral changes of Ananteris mauryi (Scorpiones: Buthidae) triggered by chemical cues from an intraguild predator

et al. 2022

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Fear level and intraguild predation are factors that act together to directly influence animal behavior, population dynamics, and community structure. These factors trigger stress, which promotes behavioral, morphological, physiological, and demographic changes, especially in the prey. Some invertebrates, such as scorpions, are known to have a refined chemoreception system to perceive both prey and predators. Therefore, we investigated the ability of an intraguild prey, the scorpion Ananteris mauryi Lourenço, 1982, to detect chemical traces of its predator, the scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893. Our goal was to verify whether A. mauryi exhibits antipredator behavior induced exclusively by chemical cues from its predator. Ananteris mauryi specimens were subjected to two experimental treatments: one with and one without traces of T. pusillus. The results showed that A. mauryi tended to avoid substrates with chemical traces of T. pusillus, confirming its capacity for chemical detection. As a result of this perception, changes in behavioral frequencies were triggered, generating an antipredator behavioral repertoire. These findings were supported by behavioral changes, such as tail wagging, which is performed exclusively by scorpions in the presence of a predator and at imminent risk of predation.

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Sex-based defensive behavior influenced by threat level in the scorpion Tityus pusillus (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 2 publications

References 27 publications

Body size and predator cues structure variation in defensive displays of Neotropical calico snakes (Oxyrhopus spp.)

Body size and predator cues structure variation in defensive displays of Neotropical calico snakes (Oxyrhopus spp.)

Fear as an enemy? Behavioral changes of Ananteris mauryi (Scorpiones: Buthidae) triggered by chemical cues from an intraguild predator

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