State-behaviour feedbacks between boldness and food intake shape escape responses in fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Area of Science:

• Animal behavior
• Ecology
• Evolutionary biology

Background:

• Animal personality variation is widespread and influenced by intrinsic states and behavior.
• Boldness in animals is often correlated with higher metabolism and food intake.
• The impact of food intake on anti-predator escape responses remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of food intake on anti-predator escape responses in relation to animal personality.
• To explore how food consumption affects the trade-offs between boldness and shyness in predator evasion.

Main Methods:

• Experiments were conducted using three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus).
• A real-time tracking system and a decoy heron predator were employed to monitor fish behavior.
• Food intake levels were manipulated and controlled before predator presentation.

Main Results:

• Bolder fish showed benefits from higher food intake compared to shy fish.
• When food intake was equal, bolder fish reacted faster to predator attacks.
• Increased food intake significantly slowed down the escape responses in all fish.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a trade-off where the rapid predator detection of bold individuals is counteracted by slower escape due to higher food consumption.
• These findings provide insight into the ecological mechanisms balancing the fitness of shy and bold behavioral tactics in natural populations.
• Understanding the interplay between personality, metabolism, and predator-prey dynamics is crucial for explaining animal behavior variation.