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Predator-prey population dynamics may induce the evolutionary dynamics of behavioral unpredictability.

Toshinori Okuyama1

  • 1Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

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Summary

Behavioral unpredictability in predators is not typically adaptive, but can be transiently favored during rapid predator-prey population cycles. This occurs when the evolutionarily stable strategy shifts faster than predator traits can adapt.

Keywords:
Fitness landscapeIndividual-based modelIntraindividual variabilityWithin-individual variability

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Behavioral unpredictability, or within-individual behavioral variability, is common across species but its adaptive significance remains unclear.
  • Predator-prey population dynamics are a potential factor influencing the maintenance of behavioral unpredictability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if predator-prey population dynamics can maintain behavioral unpredictability.
  • To explore the adaptive significance of behavioral unpredictability in a predator-prey interaction model.

Main Methods:

  • An individual-based model simulating predator-prey interactions was developed.
  • Predator handling time was modeled with heritable expected value and unpredictability traits.
  • The model analyzed the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) of handling time under varying population densities and dynamics.

Main Results:

  • The evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) for predator handling time favors no behavioral unpredictability.
  • ESS handling time is density-dependent, influenced by both prey and predator populations.
  • Cyclic population dynamics can create transient selection for behavioral unpredictability due to mismatches between ESS and evolving traits.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral unpredictability is generally not an evolutionarily stable strategy in predator-prey dynamics.
  • Rapid environmental or population shifts can temporarily favor unpredictable behaviors.
  • The selective advantage for behavioral unpredictability is weak and susceptible to stochastic effects.