Non-lethal presence of predators modifies morphology and movement rates in Euplotes

Abstract

Many species are able to modify aspects of their behaviour and morphology in the presence of predators. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of morphological and behavioural defences according to the framework proposed by DeWitt et al (1999). Experiments were carried out using hypotrich ciliates of the genus Euplotes as prey and turbellarians of the genus Stenostomum as predators. The smaller species Euplotes octocarinatus showed a greater proportional increase in width, a reduction in foraging movement rates and an increase in maximum movement rates following exposure to predator cues. The larger Euplotes aediculatus induced lesser changes in width, similar reductions in movement during foraging and no change in maximum speed following predator exposure. These results provide evidence of a cospecialised relationship between morphological and behavioural defences. Despite substantial differences in the absence of predators, movement rates and lateral body width were similar in both species following predator exposure. The observed changes may be considered adaptive, gape limited flatworm predators are unable to ingest large Euplotes and a reduction in movement rates during foraging reduces predator encounter rates, while an increase in maximal movement rates increases chances of predator evasion.