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Predator-prey population dynamics may induce the evolutionary dynamics of behavioral unpredictability.
1Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Bio Systems
|November 23, 2021
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.
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.
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