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Foraging behavior delays mechanically-stimulated escape responses in fish
Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera1, Sandy M Kawano, Paolo Domenici
1*Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas (SQUALUS), Carrera 79 No 6-37, Cali, Colombia; Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; CNR-IAMC, Località Sa Mardini, 09072 Torregrande, Oristano, Italy.
Foraging fish show reduced escape responsiveness and slower reaction times after prey capture. This suggests that actively hunting can impair a fish's ability to evade predators effectively.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Predator-Prey Dynamics
- Animal Locomotion
Background:
- Foraging and predator evasion are crucial survival behaviors.
- Foraging may compromise vigilance and escape performance, but effects on escape kinematics and timing are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how foraging impacts the fast-start escape responses of silver-spotted sculpins (Blepsias cirrhosus).
- To compare escape performance during active foraging versus control conditions.
Main Methods:
- High-speed video analysis of escape responses in three conditions: control, targeting prey, and immediately after prey capture.
- Quantification of non-locomotor and locomotor escape variables.
Main Results:
- Escape responsiveness was significantly lower immediately after prey capture.
- Escape latency was higher in the control group compared to foraging groups.
- Locomotor variables (speed, acceleration, turning) did not differ significantly.
Conclusions:
- Foraging negatively affects escape responsiveness and latency in silver-spotted sculpins.
- Engaging in foraging activities can decrease an individual's ability to evade predators.
