Larval newts adjust foraging rate to perceived predator and competitor proximity

Abstract

Foraging is key for most animals, because their energy and matter income depend on food ingestion. However, animals may respond adaptively to perceived competitor and/or predator proximity by modifying their foraging rates. Increased foraging activity is expected to improve the chances of succeeding in competition. However, the benefits of increased foraging activity could be offset by the risks of increased conspicuousness to predators. Plus, starvation may have counteracting or additive effects on foraging behaviour. Here, we test these hypotheses in larval Iberian ribbed newts (Pleurodeles waltl). We estimated foraging rates of individuals haphazardly assigned to either a restricted or an unrestricted-feeding regime, in water with (1) self-odour as control, (2) predator Dytiscus sp. chemical cues, and (3) competitor conspecific larva chemical cues. Treatments were presented in a random sequence. Newt larvae responded to either predator or conspecific chemical cues by increasing foraging rates relative to the control. Conspecific chemical cues increased foraging rates over the other two treatments. Feeding regime did not modify larva response to perceived predator and competitor proximity. Increased foraging rates in the presence of conspecific chemical cues could simultaneously improve larval energetic status to face competition and reduce prey available for the competitor. Intermediate foraging rates in the presence of predator chemical cues suggest a trade-off between the benefits (likely improved energetic status or accelerated metamorphosis) and the costs (likely increased conspicuousness) of increased food ingestion. These results prove that larval newts adjust foraging rates to perceived predator and competitor proximity.