Pit-builder vs non-pit-builder: advantage of trap building strategy in antlion larvae does not mean greater behaviour diversity

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Klokočovnik ◽  
Dušan Devetak
Keyword(s):  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
First Report ◽  
Capture Success ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Foraging Modes ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Ambush Predation ◽  
Ambush Predators ◽  
Antlion Larvae

Predators use different foraging modes, ranging from active to ambush predation. We investigated the predatory behaviour of two antlion species, the pit-builder Euroleon nostras and the non-pit-builder Neuroleon microstenus, both considered as ambush predators but with different predatory strategies. Since the pit-builders evolved from non-pit-builders, we focused on the similarities and differences in behavioural patterns and capture success. We found that most behavioural patterns occur in both species, although the non-pit-builder’s behaviour is less stereotypic and exhibits more behavioural patterns than in the pit-builder when comparing behaviour from prey introduction to jaw set without pit-construction. In N. microstenus, two distinct behavioural sequences were noted, which depend on the method of prey carcass clearing. This is the first report describing two methods of prey-carcass clearing in a non-pit-builder: tossing or dropping the prey. We also noted the presence of camouflage in the non-pit-builder, considered as an important mechanism in anti-predator tactics.

scholarly journals The Influence of Students' Gender on the Use of Virtual Campuses. A Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 169-210
Author(s):  
Daniel David Martínez Romera ◽  
Manuel Cebrián de la Serna ◽  
Gloria Priego de Montiano
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Educational Work ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Hours ◽  
Spatial Aspect ◽  
Similarities And Differences

A comparative analysis has been carried out in order to study the similarities and differences in the use and management of space and time by students, based on their gender. The study analyses the data records generated by students from three different degree courses in two universities, throughout four academic years. The methodology includes exploratory statistical analysis and learning analytics for the detection of spatial, temporal and behavioural patterns. Results show a consistent convergence in most cases, although they also show marginal behavioral trends, both for the days of the week, the hours of the day, and for the different contents of the virtual campuses. This is more evident in its spatial aspect, which highlights some clear differences in the processes of distribution and concentration of the events under study: at least in this case, women do not act in the same way as men. Ultimately, the study proposes new forms of synergy between educational work and the application of the Social Sciences’ disciplinary contents thus strengthening the transfer of knowledge from specific didactics on both educational curriculum and teacher training.

Thermoregulatory Behavior of the North American Lizards Cnemidophorus velox and Sceloporus undulatus

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah K. Anderson ◽  
Richard G. Bowker ◽  
Spencer Damschroder ◽  
Ann M. Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variability ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sceloporus Undulatus ◽  
Thermoregulatory Behavior ◽  
Thermal Environments ◽  
Wave Characteristics ◽  
The North ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Foraging Modes ◽  
Ambush Predators

AbstractThe patterns of thermoregulation of Cnemidophorus velox and Sceloporus undulatus were compared and related to their foraging modes. In nature, C. velox are widely foraging lizards and most individuals actively shuttled in the temperature enclosures to regulate Tb. Sceloporus undulatus are wait-and-ambush predators and were relatively inactive in the enclosures. The terms active and inactive thermoregulation were used to describe these categories of behavior. There were no intraspecific differences between active/ inactive individuals, either in choice of Tb or precision of regulation of Tb. Cnemidofihorus velox (Tb = 37.2 C) was more thermophilic than S. ursdulatus (Tb = 35.9 C), however, the other thermoregulatory attributes of the species were similar. Both species regulated Tb with equal precision and the between individual variability in Tb was essentially the same for the two species. The wave characteristics of the thermoregulation curves were similar in amplitude (a measure of precision), however, there were interspecific differences in period of the curve. Cnemidophorus velox shuttled more frequently in order to achieve the same precision as S. undulatus. Thermoregulation in two different temperature enclosures was compared, one a sun/shade enclosure, and the other an IR thermal gradient. Both species thermoregulated similarly in the two enclosures. Thus both species used the complex thermal environments with equal facility and no gradient specific characteristics were observed.

scholarly journals Visual and Chemical Prey Cues as Complementary Predator Attractants in a Tropical Stream Fish Assemblage

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris K. Elvidge ◽  
Grant E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Foraging Modes ◽  
Relative Attractiveness ◽  
Ambush Predators

To date, little attention has been devoted to possible complementary effects of multiple forms of public information similar information on the foraging behaviour of predators. In order to examine how predators may incorporate multiple information sources, we conducted a series of predator attraction trials in the Lower Aripo River, Trinidad. Four combinations of visual (present or absent) and chemical cues (present or absent) from each of two prey species were presented. The occurrences of three locally abundant predatory species present within a 1 m radius of cue introduction sites were recorded. The relative attractiveness of cue type to each predator was directly related to their primary foraging modes, with visual ambush predators demonstrating an attraction to visual cues, benthivores to chemical cues, and active social foragers demonstrating complementary responses to paired cues. Predator species-pair counts were greatest in response to cues from the more abundant prey species, indicating that individuals may adopt riskier foraging strategies when presented with more familiar prey cues. These differences in predator attraction patterns demonstrate complementary effects of multiple sensory cues on the short-term habitat use and foraging behaviour of predators under fully natural conditions.

scholarly journals Chemical Composition of Leaf and Seed Oils of Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. (Dipterocarpaceae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S Kamariyah ◽  
T Ozek ◽  
B Demirci ◽  
K.H.C. Baser
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Seed Oils ◽  
First Report ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Leaf Oil ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Three Components

The essential oils of the leaves and seed of Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. obtained by hydrodistillation resulted in 0.07% and 1.89% yield, respectively. These oils were then examined by GC-MS. Eighty-three components (plus an unknown) were identified from the leaf oil, representing 92% of the oil. Oxygenated monocyclic monoterpenes (terpinen-4-ol 15%, α-terpineol 16%), bicyclic monoterpene (α-pinene 7%) and oxygenated bicyclic sesquiterpene (globulol 8%) were the major constituents. In the case of the seed oil, 31 components were identified, representing 100% of the oil, while acyclic monoterpene (myrcene 5%), monocyclic monoterpene (limonene 6%), bicyclic monoterpenes (α-pinene 41%, α-thujene and b-pinene 13% each, sabinene 6%), and bicyclic sesquiterpene (bicyclogermacrene 6%) made up the major components. The remaining constituents of each oil (54% and 10%, respectively) were found to be minor (≤4% each). The chemical compositions of both oils differed quantitatively but showed important qualitative similarities and differences. The results of this study serve as the first report of complete chemical profiles of both oils.

Effect of habitat complexity and predatory style on the capture success of fish feeding on aggregated prey

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Flynn ◽  
D.A. Ritz
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Complexity ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Clear Water ◽  
Fish Feeding ◽  
Capture Success ◽  
Escape Responses ◽  
Hippocampus Abdominalis ◽  
Ambush Predation ◽  
Positive Effect

When offered a choice between open water and a ‘vegetated’ area of an aquarium (artificial sea grass), mysid (Paramesopodopsis rufa) swarms always selected open water. In contrast, juvenile and adult sea horses, Hippocampus abdominalis, which feed by ambush predation, always selected vegetated areas even when their mysid prey occurred in the adjacent clear water. Lunging predators, Australian salmon (Arripis trutta), always preferred open water to vegetated regions of the tank. Increasing vegetation density, i.e. from low to medium habitat complexity had a positive effect on capture success of juvenile and adult sea horses feeding on mysid swarms. However, number of attacks by juvenile sea horses, but not adults, was significantly reduced in higher density vegetation. Number of attacks by Australian salmon decreased as vegetation density increased but capture success, nonetheless, increased. Density of vegetation did not significantly affect the number of unsuccessful attacks by adult sea horses. Whereas proportion of unsuccessful attacks increased with vegetation density for juvenile sea horses, it decreased for juvenile salmon. This result is thought to be due to the fact that high vegetation densities disrupt structure of the prey swarm, itself a defensive formation, leaving a large number of more vulnerable small groups. Cohesive escape responses of a large swarm are likely to be a more effective defence against a lunging predator than against an ambush predator whose strategy is to use stealth to avoid provoking escape responses. Dense vegetation will militate against this strategy.

Hands-on Experiments on Predatory Behaviour with Antlion Larvae

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-394
Author(s):  
Vesna Klokočovnik ◽  
Andrej Šorgo ◽  
Dušan Devetak
Keyword(s):  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Antlion Larvae

Effect of substrate temperature on behavioural plasticity in antlion larvae

Behaviour ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Klokočovnik ◽  
Gregor Hauptman ◽  
Dušan Devetak
Keyword(s):  
High Temperatures ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Crucial Importance ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Daily Activity Patterns ◽  
Antlion Larvae ◽  
Local Habitat

Temperature is of crucial importance, affecting all aspects of insect life such as survival, development and daily activity patterns, and consequently behaviour. In the present study we evaluated the effect of temperature on the behavioural plasticity of antlion larvae, the sit-and-wait predators, which are considerably more dependent on local habitat conditions. We provided ethological descriptions of pit construction and feeding behaviour. An increase in temperature led to greater activity and consequently to greater frequency of sand tossing during pit construction. Larvae constructed bigger pits at higher temperatures, but required less time than at lower temperatures, when the resulting pits were the smallest. At low temperature, larvae required more time for feeding, and behaviour followed a core pattern with little variety, in comparison to behaviour at high temperatures. Two behavioural patterns occurred only at the highest temperature: ‘relocation’ and ‘submergence’, presumably in response to high temperatures.

scholarly journals Operant conditioning in antlion larvae and its impairment following exposure to elevated temperatures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Miler ◽  
Inon Scharf
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Rare Events ◽  
The Third ◽  
Ambush Predators ◽  
Antlion Larvae

AbstractAlthough ambush predators were previously considered limited in their cognitive abilities compared to their widely foraging relatives, there is accumulating evidence it does not hold true. Pit-building antlions are already known to associate vibrations in the sand with the arrival of prey. We used a T-maze and successfully trained antlions to turn right or left against their initial turning bias, leading to a suitable substrate for digging traps. We present here the first evidence for operant conditioning and T-maze solving in antlions. Furthermore, we show that exposure of second instar larvae to an elevated temperature led to impaired retention of what was learned in a T-maze when tested after moulting into the third instar, compared to larvae raised under a more benign temperature. We suggest that climate change, involving an increase in mean temperatures as well as rare events (e.g., heatwaves) might negatively affect the retention of operant conditioning in antlions, alongside known, more frequently studied effects, such as changes in body size and distribution.

The Ontogeny of Predatory Behaviour in the Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus a. Auratus)

Behaviour ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 61 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 58-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Polsky
Keyword(s):  
Golden Hamster ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Predatory Response ◽  
Capture Technique ◽  
Dead Prey

AbstractAn attempt was made to delineate the nature of the experiences involved in the ontogeny of the predatory response in golden hamsters (M. a. auratus). Two principal experiential phases were identified: pre-capture and post-capture. Encompassed within the pre-capture phase was the process of fear attentuation through habituation and the processes involved in the perfection of the prey-capture technique. Encompassed within the post-capture phase was prey-consumption. The experiments in this paper were designed to allow subjects to experience the pre-capture and post-capture phases independently or both together before being tested for the capture of locust nymphs (Locusta migratoria). Results showed: 1. Hamsters fed dead prey prior to test onset (post-capture phase) captured with relatively low latencies concomitant with high frequencies of the behaviours needed for capture. 2. Hamsters which experienced only the pre-capture phase showed the reverse: high latencies concomitant with low frequencies. 3. The response of capture became extinguished through prey removal after capture in hamsters with weak dispositions for capture. 4. Consumption of prey did not have to immediately follow capture in order for the predatory response to develop. Conclusions were: a) the act of capture was self-reinforcing, b) dead feed before capture, or eat following capture, served to strengthen the tendency for capture but not permit the perfection of the behaviours needed for capture. Similarities and differences between predation in the rat and predation in the hamster were discussed and the prevalence of the various types of learning in the ontogeny of mammalian predation was briefly noted.

Antlions in interaction: confrontation of two competitors in limited space

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Klokočovnik ◽  
Eva Veler ◽  
Dušan Devetak
Keyword(s):  
Intraguild Predation ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Sand Particle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Suitable Area ◽  
First Time ◽  
Antlion Larvae

Abstract The study focused on the behaviour of sit-and-wait antlion larvae in interspecific interactions. Antlion larvae usually occur in clusters with a high density of individuals; therefore, competition can be intense. We observed two abundant antlion species, E. nostras and M. formicarius, which co-occur in some habitats. In a simple habitat choice experiment where substrates differed according to sand particle size, we found that E. nostras exhibited dominance over M. formicarius. Most E. nostras larvae remained in the more suitable substrate and constructed pits, while all the M. formicarius larvae moved out of the suitable area, and did not build pits. In the second experiment, we observed the characteristics of the pit-fall traps and scored the occurrence of larval relocation in relation to interactions and in the control group, where larvae were kept in containers separately. In interactions, the larvae of E. nostras constructed smaller pits, but pit enlargement was greater in comparison to the control group. M. formicarius larvae constructed similar sized pits in both groups; however, enlargement was greater in the control group. Relocation of larvae occurred only during interactions. In direct interactions, we found 15 behavioural patterns, which are described in detail for the first time. In the presence of a competitor, larvae showed intense territorial behaviour. We recorded several behavioural patterns during larval confrontation, and interestingly, intraguild predation rarely occurred. In most cases, E. nostras larvae outcompete M. formicarius, which was evident from the larger pits and the rate of pit-construction.

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