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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
16:03
A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms
Published on: January 11, 2015
Predators target rare prey in coral reef fish assemblages
Glenn R Almany1, Lisa F Peacock, Craig Syms
1ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Tropical and Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia. Glenn.Almany@jcu.edu.au
Oecologia
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Predators may reduce prey diversity by targeting rare species, not due to fixed preferences, but possibly to overcome confusion when attacking groups. This impacts local species diversity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Community Ecology
Background:
- Predation influences local prey diversity based on predator selectivity.
- A prior study suggested predators decrease prey diversity by selecting rare species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if predators prefer specific prey species.
- To determine if predators consistently target rare prey.
- To explore the role of prey appearance in predator selection.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments tested predator-prey interactions.
- Assessed prey species preference and consistency of selection.
- Examined if rare prey vulnerability is linked to appearance.
Main Results:
- Rare prey experienced higher predation rates than expected.
- Prey appearance/coloration did not explain increased vulnerability of rare prey.
- Predator prey selection was flexible and context-dependent, not fixed.
Conclusions:
- Predator selection of rare prey is unlikely due to simple preferences.
- Predators may target rare, conspicuous prey to reduce confusion when attacking prey aggregations.
- This mechanism, related to confusion and oddity effects, influences local species diversity.
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