Implications of sensory ecology for species coexistence: biased perception links predator diversity to prey size distribution

Inherent to sensory systems is a discrepancy between the perceived and the actual environment. We modelled prey perception in different species of echolocating bats and show that differences in sensory systems can be important for shaping the niches of animals and for structuring animal communities. We argue that sensory specialization can lower interspecific competition by […]

A Proposed Ethogram of Large-Carnivore Predatory Behavior, Exemplified by the Wolf

Although predatory behavior is traditionally described by a basic ethogram composed of 3 phases (search, pursue, and capture), behavioral studies of large terrestrial carnivores generally use the concept of a “hunt” to classify and measure foraging. This approach is problematic because there is no consensus on what behaviors constitute a hunt. We therefore examined how […]

Determining the fitness consequences of antipredation behavior

Any animal whose form or behavior facilitates the avoidance of predators or escape when attacked by predators will have a greater probability of surviving to breed and therefore greater probability of producing offspring (i.e., fitness). Although in theory the fitness consequences of any antipredation behavior can simply be measured by the resultant probability of survival […]

Quantitative tests of multitrophic ideal free distribution theory

Ideal free distribution (IFD) theory is often used to explain small-scale spatial distributions of organisms. However, few studies have rigorously tested predictions of IFD models in situations involving multiple species and trophic levels. We fully parameterized and tested predictions of a general interference IFD model for both predators and prey in a tritrophic system: seven-spotted […]

Effect of egg predator on nest choice and nest construction in sand gobies

Nest defence is a particularly costly component of parental care. The costs of nest-related behaviours are affected by the nest’s location, size and architecture; yet surprisingly little is known about how choice of a nesting site or nest characteristics are adjusted as a response to the threat of future nest predation. To address this topic, […]