Predator recognition and anti-predatory behaviour in a recent aquatic invader, the killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus)

AbstractThe killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) is one of the most recent, but also most damaging, aquatic invasive species in Europe, but information on how the species responds to novel predation pressures in recently invaded areas is very limited. We employed an open test arena to examine predator recognition and anti-predatory behaviour in killer shrimp exposed to either blank water or water conditioned with fish kairomones to simulate a predator threat. Within five years after their introduction, killer shrimp spent much more time hiding in the presence of fish kairomones than when they were exposed to blank water. However, no significant difference was found in aggregation behaviour, and killer shrimp were strongly attracted to the scent of conspecifics regardless of predator threat. Given the strong selective pressures that fish predators can exert on native and invasive gammarids, our findings highlight the need to consider prey-predator interactions to better predict the dispersal and likely impact of killer shrimp into invaded ecosystems.

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Predatory impact of the freshwater invader Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f02-074 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 1078-1084 ◽

Cited By ~ 140

Author(s):

Jaimie T.A Dick ◽

Dirk Platvoet ◽

David W Kelly

Keyword(s):

Great Lakes ◽

North American ◽

Field Studies ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Predatory Behaviour ◽

Dikerogammarus Villosus ◽

The North ◽

North American Great Lakes ◽

Body Sizes ◽

Predatory Impact

To assess the increasing threats to aquatic ecosystems from invasive species, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of impacts of current and predicted future invaders. Dikerogammarus villosus, a PontoCaspian amphipod crustacean, is invading throughout Europe and predicted to invade the North American Great Lakes. European field studies show that populations of macroinvertebrates decline after D. villosus invasion. The mechanism of such impacts has not been addressed empirically; however, D. villosus is known to prey upon and replace other amphipods. Therefore, in this study, we used microcosm and mesocosm laboratory experiments, with both single and mixed prey species scenarios, to assess any predatory impact of D. villosus on a range of macroinvertebrate taxa, trophic groups, and body sizes. Dikerogammarus villosus predatory behaviour included shredding of prey and infliction of "bite" injuries on multiple victims. Dikerogammarus villosus killed significantly greater numbers of macroinvertebrates than did the native Gammarus duebeni, which is currently being replaced by D. villosus. This invader thus appears to impact on freshwater ecosystems through its exceptional predatory capabilities. We predict that future invasions by D. villosus will have serious direct and indirect effects on freshwaters, with its invasion facilitated in a larger "invasional meltdown" in regions like the North American Great Lakes.

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A co-invasive microsporidian parasite that reduces the predatory behaviour of its host Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182013001510 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 141 (2) ◽

pp. 254-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

K. BACELA-SPYCHALSKA ◽

T. RIGAUD ◽

R. A. WATTIER

Keyword(s):

Biological Invasions ◽

Host Population ◽

Intracellular Parasite ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Microsporidian Parasite ◽

Predatory Behaviour ◽

Dikerogammarus Villosus ◽

High Position ◽

Cucumispora Dikerogammari ◽

Predatory Pressure

SUMMARYParasites are known to affect the predatory behaviour or diet of their hosts. In relation to biological invasions, parasites may significantly influence the invasiveness of the host population and/or mediate the relationships between the invader and the invaded community. Dikerogammarus villosus, a recently introduced species, has had a major impact in European rivers. Notably, its high position in trophic web and high predatory behaviour, have both facilitated its invasive success, and affected other macroinvertebrate taxa in colonized habitats. The intracellular parasite Cucumispora dikerogammari, specific to D. villosus, has successfully dispersed together with this amphipod. Data presented here have shown that D. villosus infected by this parasite have a reduced predatory behaviour compared with healthy individuals, and are much more active suggesting that the co-invasive parasite may diminish the predatory pressure of D. villosus on newly colonized communities.

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Aggressive mimicry, prey-specific predatory behaviour and predator-recognition in the predator-prey interactions of Portia fimbriata and Euryattus sp., jumping spiders from Queensland

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology ◽

10.1007/bf00171580 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

RobertR. Jackson ◽

R.Stimson Wilcox

Keyword(s):

Predator Recognition ◽

Predatory Behaviour ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Aggressive Mimicry ◽

Jumping Spiders

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Invertebrate prey and predatory behaviour of the omnivorous African tortoise Kinixys spekii

African Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2028.2001.00260.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 10-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Adrian Hailey ◽

Ian M. Coulson ◽

Tarombera Mwabvu

Keyword(s):

Predatory Behaviour ◽

Invertebrate Prey

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Preliminary testing of the role of exercise and predator recognition for bonytail and razorback sucker

Open-File Report ◽

10.3133/ofr20071423 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gordon A. Mueller ◽

Jeanette Carpenter ◽

Robert Krapfel ◽

Chester Figiel

Keyword(s):

Predator Recognition ◽

Preliminary Testing

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Ontogenetic shift in the trophic role of the invasive killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus: a stable isotope study

Biological Invasions ◽

10.1007/s10530-021-02472-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francesco Mancini ◽

Raffaele De Giorgi ◽

Alessandro Ludovisi ◽

Salvatrice Vizzini ◽

Giorgio Mancinelli

Keyword(s):

Dietary Habits ◽

Trophic Position ◽

Ecological Impact ◽

Central Italy ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Dikerogammarus Villosus ◽

Isotopic Signatures ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

Stable Isotope Study ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe introduction of the amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in European fresh waters is to date recognized as a threat to the integrity of invaded communities. Predation by D. villosus on native benthic invertebrates is assumed as the key determinant of its ecological impact, yet available information describe the species as a primary consumer as well as a carnivore depending on local conditions. Here, we assessed the trophic position (TP) of D. villosus in Lake Trasimeno, a recently invaded lentic system in central Italy, using the CN isotopic signatures of individuals captured in winter spanning two orders of magnitude in body size. TP estimations were compared with those characterizing the native amphipod Echinogammarus veneris and other representative invertebrate predators. On average, D. villosus showed a trophic position higher than E. veneris, and comparable with that of odonate nymphs. An in-depth analysis revealed that large-sized individuals had a trophic position of 3.07, higher than odonates and close to that of the hirudinean predator Erpobdella octoculata, while small-sized specimens had a trophic position of 2.57, similar to that of E. veneris (2.41). These findings indicate that size-related ontogenetic shifts in dietary habits may per se vary the nature of the interaction between Dikerogammarus villosus and native invertebrates from competition to predation. Information collated from published isotopic studies corroborated the generality of our results. We conclude that intra-specific trophic flexibility may potentially amplify and make more multifaceted the impact of the species on other invertebrate species in invaded food webs.

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Offender-Centric Policing in Cases of Rape

The Journal of Criminal Law ◽

10.1177/00220183211027453 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002201832110274

Author(s):

Philip NS Rumney ◽

Duncan McPhee

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Police Officers ◽

Sexual Offending ◽

Confirmation Bias ◽

Missed Opportunities ◽

Predatory Behaviour ◽

Investigative Tool ◽

Care And Support ◽

History Of

The article explores the idea of ‘offender-centric’ policing in cases of rape, with its focus on suspect and offender admissions and behaviours. It features discussion of 11 cases, illustrating offender-centric pathways to charge or conviction, the challenges facing complainants, suspects and police officers, along with missed opportunities to focus on a suspect’s behaviour. The importance of victim care and support is discussed, and it is argued that victim care should accompany an offender-centric approach to rape investigation. It is also argued that there are potential dangers with offender-centric tactics, specifically, that without due care it may become a self-confirming investigative tool influenced by confirmation bias which may lead to flawed decision-making. The article concludes by arguing that offender-centric policing has benefits in those cases with suspects who engage in predatory behaviour, have a history of previously undisclosed sexual offending and domestic violence and other problematic behaviours. It also has value in focusing the attention of investigators on what steps were taken by a suspect to ascertain the complainant’s consent. While the offender-centric approach cannot address all investigative challenges in rape cases, it is a useful addition to existing strategies.

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