Abstract
ABSTRACT Studies of mixed-species groups of animals can reveal emergent complexities of collective behaviors. In this study we collected data on mixed-species hunting groups composed primarily of piscivorous fishes (species composition, abundance, behavioral interactions) and used both multivariate and network analyses to quantify pair-wise and guild level behavioral relationships. Our results indicate that such collective behaviors exhibit consistent patterns of associations (33 species with 282 pair-wise links within the observed network) with 10 dominant species accounting for 60% of pair-wise interactions. Species richness within groups varied (mean = 2.4, range 2-6 species) as did group size (mean = 8.1 individuals, range 2-80). Mixed-species groups, in general, were composed of species representing morphologically diverse forms that appeared to enhance access to shelter sites and implement diverse strategies for prey capture. It is noteworthy that the composition of groups did not reflect the relative abundances of their component species within the overall community of fishes, suggesting that group membership was an elective choice. The identification of these patterns, assuming they are persistent features of these communities, can be used as a foundation for studies to assess dynamics of mixed-species relationships, rates of predator success based on group membership, demographic consequences, and responses to variations in habitat attributes and associated prey resources. Such information could be used to interpret the nature of multispecies interactions within predator communities and potentially aid in conservation and management.
Highlights
Studies of the consequences of mixed-species group behavior have been fundamental to our understanding of the ecological role that such interactions play in terms of enhancement of individual fitness (Dickman, 1992; Sumpter, 2010)
Our results indicate that such collective behaviors exhibit consistent patterns of associations (33 species with 282 pair-wise links within the observed network) with 10 dominant species accounting for 60% of pair-wise interactions
Overall, mixed-species groups were primarily composed of species that combined morphologically-diverse forms, including those that could gain access to crevices and those that could rapidly pursue escaping prey
Summary
Studies of the consequences of mixed-species group behavior (with much work focused on mammals, birds, and insects) have been fundamental to our understanding of the ecological role that such interactions play in terms of enhancement of individual fitness (Dickman, 1992; Sumpter, 2010). From the perspective of higher trophic level predators, cooperation within mixed-species groups can enhance predation success and reduce energetic costs of search (Hebshi et al, 2008) Such interactions among individuals within groups can result in positive population-level effects such as enhanced growth and fecundity (Firth et al, 2015). Previous studies have focused on how group foraging enhances the fitness of individuals (Overholtzer, Motta, 2000) and how such interactions are linked to community composition and patterns of diversity (Auster, Lindholm, 2002, 2008) We find that these types of collective behaviors are common attributes of fish communities, most notably those associated with reef features where types and rates of interactions between species are greater (Hobson, 1968; Auster et al, 2013)
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