Predator-mediated plasticity of prey life history and morphology: Chaoborus americanus predation on Daphnia pulex
Article Abstract:
Life-table experiments were performed on Daphnia pulex to analyze the phenotypic changes that result from Chaoborus americanus predation. Daphnia assumes a stronger form characterized by neck teeth as a response to Chaoborus predation. The results of the experiment show that Daphnia's phenotypic plasticity which delays the organism's reproductive maturity is subject to considerable genetic variance. Reduced vulnerability may also have been due to other phenotypic variations, such as stronger swimming muscles, a longer tail spine or a thickened carapace, instead of the neck teeth.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1992
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Predation risk affects mate choice in a Gobiid fish
Article Abstract:
Female sand goby fish display significantly lower levels of mate-choosing behavior in the presence of predation threats by codfish. Observations show that searching for a mate increases predation risk and is therefore reduced by the female sand goby who otherwise indulges in extensive mate searching behavior. This observation can be generalized to other species as well. Various explanations can be offered for the restriction of searching behavior such as increased exposure, stress and suppression of spawning instincts during predation threat.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1992
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Nest predation as a selective factor in the evolution of developmental rates in altricial birds
Article Abstract:
A comparative study of the growth rates of altricial birds in the presence and absence of mammalian and reptile predators reveals that the predation of eggs and nestlings induces a fast developmental rate in birds. The open-nesting species face a higher risk of being preyed upon than the hole-nesting species. The allomeric correlations between the period of nestling, body mass and incubation in both types of nesting species is given by regression equations.
Publication Name: The American Naturalist
Subject: Earth sciences
ISSN: 0003-0147
Year: 1995
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