There must be something in the water: assessing the behavioral responses of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) to fish and amphibian predator kairomones

Perception of alarm cues influences the outcome of shelter competition in crayfish20

“…Other investigations have reported varying responses by crayfish to alarm cues or predator signals with respect to shelter use, with some investigations reporting increased shelter use in the presence of predator or alarm cues (Garvey et al, ; Hazlett & Schoolmaster, ; Söderbäck, ). Other investigations did not find an increase in shelter use when predator or alarm cues were present (Kenison et al, ; Willman et al, ; Wood et al, ). Our data indicate that F. virilis did respond to conspecific alarm cues by spending significantly more time inside a shelter, and we interpret this as a probable risk avoidance behavior.…”

“…In many species, predation risk is known to affect the behavioral decisions individuals make behavior (Lima & Dill, ). Behavioral responses of prey are likely to represent a trade‐off between the benefits of avoiding predation risk and the costs associated with the altered behavior (Orrock, Preisser, Grabowski, & Trussell, ), and for crayfish, perceived or real predation risk has been shown to affect foraging behavior (Gherardi et al, ; Wood et al, ), spatial distribution (Clark, Kershner, & Montemarano, ), activity patterns (Hamrin, ; Hazlett & Schoolmaster, ; Kenison et al, ) and, in the current study, intraspecific competition over shelters. Further investigation is warranted to develop a more complete understanding of the role of predation risk in shaping these and other aspects of crayfish ecology.…”

“…For two other species, A. astacus and Pacifasticus leniusculus , Söderbäck () reported increases in use of shelters in the presence of predators. Conversely, Kenison et al () reported no increases in refuge use for F. rusticus exposed to predator cues, while Willman, Hill, and Lodge () reported no effect of predator cues on refuge use in F. virilis or F. propinquus , and increased time spent outside the refuge in F. rusticus . This pattern was recapitulated in another investigation that also reported that individuals of F. rusticus spent less time in shelter areas in the presence of predator cues (Wood et al, ).…”

“…For example, in crayfish, which are common and ecologically important macroinvertebrates in many freshwater systems, predator or alarm cues and/or predator presence have been shown to affect a number of components of normal behavior. Hazlett and Schoolmaster () found that crayfish of the species Faxonius virilis that detect a threat of predation (chemical cues from snapping turtle) generally cease movement and adopt a “watchful” posture, and Kenison, Weldy, and Williams () reported similar effects on movement and posture in individuals of the rusty crayfish, F. rusticus , exposed to cues from fish and amphibian predators. Hamrin () found that predator presence causes individuals of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus to alter their diel activity patterns.…”

Training for Translocation: Predator Conditioning Induces Behavioral Plasticity and Physiological Changes in Captive Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) (Cryptobranchidae, Amphibia)

“…Some of the most common predator avoidance strategies, observed across a multitude of taxonomic groups, are decreased movement, freezing in place, or seeking out refuge. For example, less mobile voles (Microtus agrestis) have reduced rates of predator capture, small-mouth salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) spend more time in refuge away from green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), and crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) freeze in place to be less conspicuous [34,50,51]. Behavioral responses reduce the probability of being detected, encountering predators, or being captured, and are adaptive when coexisting with predators.…”