Benefits of a predator induced morphology in crucian carp
Författare
Summary, in English
Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) develop a
deeper body in response to chemical cues from piscivores.
This change in body morphology has been suggested
to be a predator-induced defence. Here we investigate the
possible benefits of the induced body morphology in laboratory
experiments. Pike foraging behaviour when feeding
on crucian carp of different body depths was recorded
using video. Further, in a preference experiment pike
were allowed to choose between shallow-bodied and
deep-bodied crucian carp of similar lengths. Crucian
carp body morphology did not affect predatory behaviours
(activity, searching, following, observing, capture
success) in northern pike, but an increase in crucian carp
body depth led to an increase in handling time in pike. In
the preference experiment, pike preferred shallow-bodied
crucian carp over deep-bodied. Thus, a change in body
morphology, induced by the presence of piscivores, benefits
crucian carp by increasing piscivore handling times
and an avoidance of the deep-bodied phenotype.
deeper body in response to chemical cues from piscivores.
This change in body morphology has been suggested
to be a predator-induced defence. Here we investigate the
possible benefits of the induced body morphology in laboratory
experiments. Pike foraging behaviour when feeding
on crucian carp of different body depths was recorded
using video. Further, in a preference experiment pike
were allowed to choose between shallow-bodied and
deep-bodied crucian carp of similar lengths. Crucian
carp body morphology did not affect predatory behaviours
(activity, searching, following, observing, capture
success) in northern pike, but an increase in crucian carp
body depth led to an increase in handling time in pike. In
the preference experiment, pike preferred shallow-bodied
crucian carp over deep-bodied. Thus, a change in body
morphology, induced by the presence of piscivores, benefits
crucian carp by increasing piscivore handling times
and an avoidance of the deep-bodied phenotype.
Publiceringsår
1995
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
291-296
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Oecologia
Volym
104
Issue
3
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Springer
Ämne
- Ecology
Nyckelord
- Predator-prey interactions
- Induced defence
- Phenotypic plasticity - Body depth. Carassius carassius
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science
- Aquatic Ecology
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1432-1939