Arboreal Prey-Handling of Endothermic Prey by Captive Boa Constrictors

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Ryerson ◽  
Cassidy Goulet
Keyword(s):  
Prey Handling

Pulling or drilling, does size or species matter? An experimental study of prey handling in Octopus dierythraeus

2003 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike A. Steer ◽  
Jayson M. Semmens
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Prey Handling

Complex prey handling of octopus by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 934-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate R. Sprogis ◽  
Holly C. Raudino ◽  
David Hocking ◽  
Lars Bejder
Keyword(s):  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Tursiops Aduncus ◽  
Prey Handling

Prey Handling Relationships in Captive Ovenbirds

The Condor ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Paszkowski ◽  
Timothy C. Moermond
Keyword(s):  
Prey Handling

scholarly journals Antipredator deception in terrestrial vertebrates

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Caro
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Apparent Size ◽  
Batesian Mimicry ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Antipredator Defense ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Prey Handling

Abstract Deceptive antipredator defense mechanisms fall into three categories: depriving predators of knowledge of prey’s presence, providing cues that deceive predators about prey handling, and dishonest signaling. Deceptive defenses in terrestrial vertebrates include aspects of crypsis such as background matching and countershading, visual and acoustic Batesian mimicry, active defenses that make animals seem more difficult to handle such as increase in apparent size and threats, feigning injury and death, distractive behaviours, and aspects of flight. After reviewing these defenses, I attempt a preliminary evaluation of which aspects of antipredator deception are most widespread in amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds.

scholarly journals Bone indicators of grasping hands in lizards

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Fontanarrosa ◽  
Virginia Abdala
Keyword(s):  
Generalized Linear Models ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Adaptive Mechanisms ◽  
Morphological Distinction ◽  
Morphological Variables ◽  
Prey Handling ◽  
Functional Setting

Grasping is one of a few adaptive mechanisms that, in conjunction with clinging, hooking, arm swinging, adhering, and flying, allowed for incursion into the arboreal eco-space. Little research has been done that addresses grasping as an enhanced manual ability in non-mammalian tetrapods, with the exception of studies comparing the anatomy of muscle and tendon structure. Previous studies showed that grasping abilities allow exploitation for narrow branch habitats and that this adaptation has clear osteological consequences. The objective of this work is to ascertain the existence of morphometric descriptors in the hand skeleton of lizards related to grasping functionality. A morphological matrix was constructed using 51 morphometric variables in 278 specimens, from 24 genera and 13 families of Squamata. To reduce the dimensions of the dataset and to organize the original variables into a simpler system, three PCAs (Principal Component Analyses) were performed using the subsets of (1) carpal variables, (2) metacarpal variables, and (3) phalanges variables. The variables that demonstrated the most significant contributions to the construction of the PCA synthetic variables were then used in subsequent analyses. To explore which morphological variables better explain the variations in the functional setting, we ranGeneralized Linear Modelsfor the three different sets. This method allows us to model the morphology that enables a particular functional trait. Grasping was considered the only response variable, taking the value of 0 or 1, while the original variables retained by the PCAs were considered predictor variables. Our analyses yielded six variables associated with grasping abilities: two belong to the carpal bones, two belong to the metacarpals and two belong to the phalanges. Grasping in lizards can be performed with hands exhibiting at least two different independently originated combinations of bones. The first is a combination of a highly elongated centrale bone, reduced palmar sesamoid, divergence angles above 90°, and slender metacarpal V and phalanges, such as exhibited byAnolissp. andTropidurussp. The second includes an elongated centrale bone, lack of a palmar sesamoid, divergence angles above 90°, and narrow metacarpal V and phalanges, as exhibited by geckos. Our data suggest that the morphological distinction between graspers and non-graspers is demonstrating the existence of ranges along the morphological continuum within which a new ability is generated. Our results support the hypothesis of the nested origin of grasping abilities within arboreality. Thus, the manifestation of grasping abilities as a response to locomotive selective pressure in the context of narrow-branch eco-spaces could also enable other grasping-dependent biological roles, such as prey handling.

A prickly subject: innovative handling of a difficult prey

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Linda Behrendorff
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Subtidal Area ◽  
Shallow Subtidal ◽  
Handling Technique ◽  
Prey Handling ◽  
Ambush Predators ◽  
Tachyglossus Aculeatus

Canids are generally considered to be ambush predators, but in island ecosystems adaptability and flexibility are essential for survival. Dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) attack and kill their prey in a variety of ways including utilising waterbodies. Here I document the drowning of an adult short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) before consumption by a dingo using the coastal surf beach intertidal to shallow subtidal area on the eastern coast of Fraser Island (K’gari), highlighting an innovative prey-handling technique.

Hunting Behavior, Prey Selection, and Energetics of Snail Kites in Guyana: Consumer Choice by a Specialist

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Beissinger
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Rice Fields ◽  
Hunting Behavior ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Prey Handling

Abstract The hunting behavior, snail size selection, and time-activity patterns of non-breeding Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis) were studied in Guyana rice fields. Kites spent 62% of the photoperiod perching, 19% foraging, 13% in maintenance activities, and 6% flying. As the day progressed, the percentage of daylight hours spent perching increased significantly, while foraging decreased significantly. Kites successfully captured and ingested Pomacea snails in 78% of the foraging bouts observed. The mode of hunting was evenly split between coursing (50.7%) and still-hunting (49.3%). Searching and returning times were related to time of day, as significantly more coursing hunts and still-hunts occurred in mornings and late afternoons, respectively. Prey handling time was the most time-consuming component of a foraging bout. Time spent searching for prey, returning, or handling prey was not related to snail size. The size distribution of captured snails differed significantly from that of available snails; kites selected more medium snails and fewer small snails and took large snails in equal frequency to that at which large snails were available. Kites captured the same-sized snails when coursing as when still-hunting. As rice grew, kite utilization of rice fields declined, and the frequency of still-hunting decreased while course-hunting attempts increased. The daily caloric intake of kites was estimated to be 104.2 kcal, the daily energy expenditure 85.7 kcal. Results are discussed in relation to consumer choices of specialists. The most important decision a foraging Snail Kite may make is what patch to search in and how long to search before abandoning patches.

Effects of Acaricides on the Functional and Numerical Responses of the Phytoseid Predator Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Spider Mite Eggs

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1804-1809
Author(s):  
E P de Sousa Neto ◽  
J de A Mendes ◽  
R M C Filgueiras ◽  
D B Lima ◽  
R N C Guedes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spider Mite ◽  
Integrated Control ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Neoseiulus Idaeus ◽  
High Selection ◽  
Prey Handling ◽  
Two Spotted Spider Mite

Abstract Integrated control tactics are often necessary for pest management. This is especially true for organisms such as the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The management of this mite pest species relies on pesticide use, but its short life cycle associated with high selection pressure results in frequent problems of acaricide resistance and population outbreaks. Therefore, combining acaricides and natural enemies is an appealing strategy for managing this pest species. The predatory mite Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma (Phytoseiidae) is important in arid environments, where other natural enemies show low efficacy. Thus, we investigated the effects of representative acaricides used for managing spider mites around the world in several crops (i.e., abamectin, fenpyroximate, and azadirachtin), on the functional and numerical responses of the phytoseid predator N. idaeus to increasing egg densities of its prey. Acaricide exposure did not affect the type of N. idaeus functional response or attack rate (a). However, acaricide exposure decreased the amount of consumed prey and increased prey handling time (Th). All acaricides affected the numerical response of the predator, which reduced oviposition rates. Therefore, caution is required in attempts to integrate the control methods.

scholarly journals When time is of the essence: choosing a currency for prey-handling costs

2000 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Rovero ◽  
Roger N. Hughes ◽  
Guido Chelazzi
Keyword(s):  
Prey Handling
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