Abstract
The propensity to kill and consume conspecifics (cannibalism) varies greatly between and within species, but the underlying mechanisms behind this variation remain poorly understood. A rich literature has documented that consistent behavioural variation is ubiquitous across the animal kingdom. Such inter-individual behavioural differences, sometimes referred to as personality traits, may have far-reaching ecological consequences. However, the link between predator personality traits and the propensity to engage in cannibalistic interactions remains understudied. Here, we first quantified personality in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), measured as activity (time spent moving) and sociability (time spent near conspecifics). We then gave perch of contrasting behavioural types the option to consume either conspecific or heterospecific (roach, Rutilus rutilus) prey. Individual perch characterized by a social-active behavioural phenotype (n = 5) selected roach before being cannibalistic, while asocial-inactive perch (n = 17) consumed conspecific and heterospecific prey evenly. Thus, asocial-inactive perch expressed significantly higher rates of cannibalism as compared to social-active individuals. Individual variation in cannibalism, linked to behavioural type, adds important mechanistic understanding to complex population and community dynamics, and also provides insight into the diversity and maintenance of animal personality.
Highlights
Cannibalism, the act of killing and consuming conspecifics, is widespread in nature
We aim to examine the link between behavioural type and the propensity for cannibalism in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis, Linnaeus 1758, Percidae)
Perch of the social-active behavioural type selected roach before conspecifics at a rate significantly different from random (V = 0, p = 0.048, Fig 2), while the asocial-inactive behavioural type perch did not differ from random selectivity (V = 47.5, p = 0.158, Fig 2)
Summary
Cannibalism, the act of killing and consuming conspecifics (intraspecific predation), is widespread in nature It has been documented in a diverse array of animals and likely occurs in virtually all major vertebrate and invertebrate groups, though the propensity for cannibalism varies between species [1, 2]. Cannibalism is well documented in fish populations, and fishes are excellent experimental models to study the causes and consequences of intraspecific predation [2, 13] This behaviour is of particular interest in the context of fisheries because of its effect on individual fitness and total biomass of cultured species [14, 15]. Which mechanisms underlie these inter-individual differences in cannibalistic behaviours still remain unclear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
