scholarly journals Predation as a driver of behavioural variation and trait integration: effects on personality, plasticity, and predictability

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Joseph Mitchell ◽  
Christa Beckmann ◽  
Peter A Biro
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Trait Variance ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Behavioural Trait

Predation is increasingly viewed as an important driver in maintaining ecological and phenotypic diversity. In contrast to classic evolutionary theory which predicts that predation will shift trait means and erode variance within prey species, several studies indicate higher behavioural trait variance and integration in high predation populations. These results come predominately from field-sampled animals that cannot isolate the role of predation from other ecological factors such as density. Here, we study the role of predation on behavioural trait (co-)variation in density-controlled populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) living with and without a benthic ambush predator. At 2.5yrs post introduction of the predators (up to 10 overlapping generations), 40 males were sampled from each of the six populations and extensively assayed for activity rates, water-column use and voracity. Individual variation was pronounced in both treatments, with substantial individual variation means, temporal plasticity and predictability. The effects of predation were subtle. Predators had little effect on mean behaviour, though predator-exposed fish spent more time at the surface in early trials, which decreased to the same as controls with time. Predators did however affect the integration of behavioural traits. In predator exposed ponds, guppies that were higher in the water-column fed slower and had a reduced positive correlation with activity, relative to control populations. Predators also affected the integration of personality and plasticity – leading to changes in among-individual variances through time in water-column use and activity – which was absent in controls. Our results contrast with the extensive guppy literature showing rapid evolution in trait means, and shows maintenance of behavioural variance under predation.

Conspecific familiarity and shoaling preferences in a wild guppy population

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 1899-1904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Guy J Godin ◽  
Michael S Alfieri ◽  
Daniel J Hoare ◽  
Jennifer A Sadowski
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Risk Population ◽  
Predation Intensity ◽  
Social Familiarity ◽  
High Predation

In nature, social groups of animals are typically nonrandom associations of individuals. Such group associations may in part be based on social familiarity among individuals, acquired through repeated past encounters and behavioural experiences with each other. The factors that potentially affect the tendency to associate with familiar individuals remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether shoaling preferences based on presumed familiarity occur in wild adult guppies (Poecilia reticulata) originating from a Trinidadian population that experiences relatively low predation intensity from fishes and whether any such preferences differ between the sexes. When tested shortly after being collected in the field, neither males nor females clearly preferred to shoal with familiar same-sex conspecifics (collected from the same pool in the river) over unfamiliar ones (from different pools). Importantly, our results differ from those previously reported for guppies originating from the same population as ours and for a high predation risk population in Trinidad, suggesting that the development of social familiarity and its role in the formation of shoals in nature vary both within and among populations in the guppy. We provide plausible explanations for these observed populational differences in shoaling preferences in the guppy and discuss certain ecological factors that may affect the development and expression of shoaling preferences based on familiarity in nature.

scholarly journals Population differences in how wild Trinidadian guppies use social information and socially learn

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Chouinard-Thuly ◽  
Simon M. Reader
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Social Information ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Information Use ◽  
Population Differences ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Social Information Use ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Three Rivers

AbstractAnimals have access to information produced by the behaviour of other individuals, which they may use (“social information use”) and learn from (“social learning”). The benefits of using such information differ with socio-ecological conditions. Thus, population differences in social information use and social learning should occur. We tested this hypothesis with a comparative study across five wild populations of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) known to differ in their ecology and social behaviour. Using a field experiment, we found population differences in how guppies used and learned from social information, with only fish from one of the three rivers studied showing evidence of social information use and social learning. Within this river, populations differed in how they employed social information: fish from a high-predation regime where guppies exhibit high shoaling propensities chose the same foraging location than conspecifics, while fish from a low-predation regime with reduced shoaling propensities chose and learned the opposite foraging location than conspecifics. We speculate that these differences are due to differences in predation risk and conspecific competition, possibly mediated via changes in grouping tendencies. Our results provide evidence that social information use and social learning can differ across animal populations and are influenced by socio-ecological factors.

scholarly journals Group size and aquatic vegetation modulates male preferences for female shoals in wild zebrafish, Danio rerio

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Ghoshal ◽  
Anuradha Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Aquatic Flora ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Individual

AbstractShoaling decisions in the wild are determined by a combination of innate preferences of the individual along with the interplay of multiple ecological factors. In their natural habitat as well as in the laboratory, zebrafish is a shoaling fish. Here, we investigate the role of group size and associated vegetation in shaping shoaling preferences of wild male zebrafish. We studied the association preference of males to groups of female shoals in a multi-choice test design. We found that males made greater proportion of visits to an 8-female group compared to 2 and 4-female groups. However, males spent similar proportions of time across the three female-containing groups. When artificial vegetation was incorporated along with female number as an additional factor, we found that males prefer high and moderately vegetated patches compared to low or no-vegetation groups, irrespective of the number of females in these patches. Based on experiments using a novel multi-choice design, our results show that preference for group size can change due to interaction of two separate factors. This work is a first attempt to understand the role of aquatic flora in determining shoaling preferences in zebrafish, using an experimental paradigm consisting of a gradation in female and vegetation densities.

Seasonal variations of water column nutrients in the inner area of Ariake Bay, Japan: the role of muddy sediments

2013 ◽  
Vol 185 (8) ◽  
pp. 6831-6846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masumi Koriyama ◽  
Yuichi Hayami ◽  
Akane Koga ◽  
Koichi Yamamoto ◽  
Alim Isnasetyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Ariake Bay ◽  
Muddy Sediments

Effects of Fe addition on sediment P dynamics in a eutrophic lake

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Münch ◽  
Rianne van Kaam ◽  
Karel As ◽  
Stefan Peiffer ◽  
Gerard ter Heerdt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Water Interface ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Fe Addition

<p>The decline of surface water quality due to excess phosphorus (P) input is a global problem of increasing urgency. Finding sustainable measures to restore the surface water quality of eutrophic lakes with respect to P, other than by decreasing P inputs, remains a challenge. The addition of iron (Fe) salts has been shown to be effective in removing dissolved phosphate from the water column of eutrophic lakes. However, the resulting changes in biogeochemical processes in sediments as well as the long-term effects of Fe additions on P dynamics in both sediments and the water column are not well understood.</p><p>In this study, we assess the impact of past Fe additions on the sediment P biogeochemistry of Lake Terra Nova, a well-mixed shallow peat lake in the Netherlands. The Fe-treatment in 2010 efficiently reduced P release from the sediments to the surface waters for 6 years. Since then, the internal sediment P source in the lake has been increasing again with a growing trend over the years.</p><p>In 2020, we sampled sediments at three locations in Terra Nova, of which one received two times more Fe during treatment than the other two. Sediment cores from all sites were sectioned under oxygen-free conditions. Both the porewaters and sediments were analysed for their chemical composition, with sequential extractions providing insight into the sediment forms of P and Fe. Additional sediment cores were incubated under oxic and anoxic conditions and the respective fluxes of P and Fe across the sediment water interface were measured.</p><p>The results suggest that Fe and P dynamics in the lake sediments are strongly coupled. We also find that the P dynamics are sensitive to the amount of Fe supplied, even though enhanced burial of P in the sediment was not detected. The results of the sequential extraction procedure for P, which distinguishes P associated with humic acids and Fe oxides, as well as reduced flux of Fe(II) across the sediment water interface in the anoxic incubations, suggest a major role of organic matter in the interaction of Fe and P in these sediments.</p><p>Further research will include investigations of the role of organic matter and sulphur in determining the success of Fe-treatment in sequestering P in lake sediments. Based on these data in combination with reactive transport modelling we aim to constrain conditions for successful lake restoration through Fe addition.</p>

scholarly journals Using a robotic fish to investigate individual differences in social responsiveness in the guppy

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 181026 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bierbach ◽  
Tim Landgraf ◽  
Pawel Romanczuk ◽  
Juliane Lukas ◽  
Hai Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Social Cues ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Test Environment ◽  
Biomimetic Robots

Responding towards the actions of others is one of the most important behavioural traits whenever animals of the same species interact. Mutual influences among interacting individuals may modulate the social responsiveness seen and thus make it often difficult to study the level and individual variation in responsiveness. Here, open-loop biomimetic robots that provide standardized, non-interactive social cues can be a useful tool. These robots are not affected by the live animal's actions but are assumed to still represent valuable and biologically relevant social cues. As this assumption is crucial for the use of biomimetic robots in behavioural studies, we hypothesized (i) that meaningful social interactions can be assumed if live animals maintain individual differences in responsiveness when interacting with both a biomimetic robot and a live partner. Furthermore, to study the level of individual variation in social responsiveness, we hypothesized (ii) that individual differences should be maintained over the course of multiple tests with the robot. We investigated the response of live guppies ( Poecilia reticulata ) when allowed to interact either with a biomimetic open-loop-controlled fish robot—‘Robofish’—or with a live companion. Furthermore, we investigated the responses of live guppies when tested three times with Robofish. We found that responses of live guppies towards Robofish were weaker compared with those of a live companion, most likely as a result of the non-interactive open-loop behaviour of Robofish. Guppies, however, were consistent in their individual responses between a live companion and Robofish, and similar individual differences in response towards Robofish were maintained over repeated testing even though habituation to the test environment was detectable. Biomimetic robots like Robofish are therefore a useful tool for the study of social responsiveness in guppies and possibly other small fish species.

scholarly journals Honey in the Prevention and Treatment of Infection in the CKD Population: A Narrative Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Francis ◽  
Yeoungjee Cho ◽  
David W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Clinical Trial Evidence ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics ◽  
Extensive Experimental Data ◽  
Antibiotic Agents ◽  
Treatment Of Infection

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality at all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Multiresistant organisms are becoming increasingly common, particularly in the CKD population. Unfortunately, the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance has not been mirrored by innovation in new antibiotic agents. Novel treatments are therefore urgently needed. Honey has garnered much interest due to its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties based on extensive experimental data. Unlike conventional antibiotics, honey has an added advantage as it appears to avoid inducing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. This review discusses the potential mechanisms of action and role of honey in infection management in the general population, epidemiology and special challenges of infections in CKD populations, and the clinical trial evidence pertaining to the safety and efficacy of honey for the prevention and treatment of infections in CKD population.

scholarly journals CO2-driven decrease in pH disrupts olfactory behaviour and increases individual variation in deep-sea hermit crabs

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Won Kim ◽  
Josi Taylor ◽  
Chris Lovera ◽  
James P. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Prey Detection ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Metabolic Performance ◽  
Olfactory Behaviour

Abstract Deep-sea species are generally thought to be less tolerant of environmental variation than shallow-living species due to the relatively stable conditions in deep waters for most parameters (e.g. temperature, salinity, oxygen, and pH). To explore the potential for deep-sea hermit crabs (Pagurus tanneri) to acclimate to future ocean acidification, we compared their olfactory and metabolic performance under ambient (pH ∼7.6) and expected future (pH ∼7.1) conditions. After exposure to reduced pH waters, metabolic rates of hermit crabs increased transiently and olfactory behaviour was impaired, including antennular flicking and prey detection. Crabs exposed to low pH treatments exhibited higher individual variation for both the speed of antennular flicking and speed of prey detection, than observed in the control pH treatment, suggesting that phenotypic diversity could promote adaptation to future ocean acidification.

scholarly journals Distance from Africa, not climate, explains within-population phenotypic diversity in humans

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 809-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Betti ◽  
François Balloux ◽  
William Amos ◽  
Tsunehiko Hanihara ◽  
Andrea Manica
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Perfect Agreement ◽  
Skull Measurements ◽  
Sub Saharan

The relative importance of ancient demography and climate in determining worldwide patterns of human within-population phenotypic diversity is still open to debate. Several morphometric traits have been argued to be under selection by climatic factors, but it is unclear whether climate affects the global decline in morphological diversity with increasing geographical distance from sub-Saharan Africa. Using a large database of male and female skull measurements, we apply an explicit framework to quantify the relative role of climate and distance from Africa. We show that distance from sub-Saharan Africa is the sole determinant of human within-population phenotypic diversity, while climate plays no role. By selecting the most informative set of traits, it was possible to explain over half of the worldwide variation in phenotypic diversity. These results mirror those previously obtained for genetic markers and show that ‘bones and molecules’ are in perfect agreement for humans.

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