Competition For Prey Research Articles

Abundance Variability of Predators: Asynchronous Fluctuation of Tuna Species in the Atlantic Ocean due to Predation Strategies and Climatic Effects

ABSTRACTBigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus; BET) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares; YFT) are commercially and ecologically important Atlantic Ocean species. Numerous studies have examined interacting species with clearly synchronous or asynchronous dynamics, but few have investigated interactions among tuna species. This study investigated the effects of climate indices on the standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) and habitat preferences of BET and YFT in the Atlantic Ocean. The indicators for both tuna species were found to be influenced by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and Tropical North Atlantic index. The AMO had the strongest effect on standardized CPUE for the two species, and habitat suitability also reflected AMO trends. We compared CPUE trends in overlapping suitable habitat areas and estimated variations in primary prey abundance for between BET and YFT to evaluate their species' competition for limited prey and habitat area resources. The standardized CPUE, habitat suitability index (HSI), and primary prey levels (squid and crustaceans) of BET all increased following the change to the positive AMO phase after the 1990s. Although the HSI value for YFT also increased in an area of habitat overlap, the corresponding standardized CPUE decreased. We suggest that this pattern of a decreasing‐standardized CPUE for YFT may have been caused by competition for limited prey and habitat area resources in the overlap area.

Enchanting dynamics: Juvenile and adult predators with prey model in an intuitionistic fuzzy environment

This study represents an interaction model including juvenile and adult predators along with prey, involving key characteristics like the inability of juvenile predators to reproduce, the impact of adult predators on juvenile growth rates and the transformation of some juveniles to adulthood. Furthermore, it is supposed that adult predators intake prey for sustenance, and the logistic growth of prey is assumed in the non-appearance of adult predators. Intra-species competition among adult predators, together with predation of juveniles and chasing, is conveyed. To tackle the imprecise biological parameters, most parametric values are considered as triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. The model is further processed into an intuitionistic fuzzy model using the Hukuhara derivative and Yager’s ranking method is implemented to make the model crispified. Non-negativity and boundedness of the model are explored, after that, an investigation of possible equilibrium points is discussed. Local and global stability analyses close to these points are supervised. The study accentuates the significant influence of uncertain model parameters on the solution. Especially, uncertain estimates of intra-species competition among adult predators remarkably regulate the model’s stability. Extended uncertainty in intra-species competition for prey, although, is discovered to stabilize the system. In addition, increased consumption of juvenile predators by adult predators is observed to provide the system’s instability.

Dynamics of a non-local intraspecific competition predator–prey model with memory effect

In the paper, we investigate a diffusive predator–prey model with nonlocal intraspecific prey competition and spatial memory under Neumann boundary conditions. Through stability and bifurcation analysis, we find that the memory-based diffusion coefficient and the spatiotemporal diffusive delay have important effects on the dynamics of the model. By using the spatiotemporal diffusive delay as a bifurcation parameter, the critical values are determined for the stability of the positive constant steady state and the associated Hopf bifurcation. We find that the system may admit no stability switch, one stability switch and multiple stability switches.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Diverse Expression of Scorpion Toxin Genes in Mesobuthus martensii.

Scorpions, an ancient group of venomous invertebrates, have existed for over 430 million years. Their toxins, important for predation and defense, exhibit a variety of biological and pharmacological activities. Research on scorpion toxins has spanned decades. Notably, the toxin genes of Mesobuthus martensii (Scorpiones: Buthidae), a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, have been described at genomic and proteomic levels. However, previous studies primarily focused on the toxin genes expressed in the venom glands, overlooking their expression in multiple tissues. This study analyzed transcriptomes from 14 tissues of M. martensii. Gene annotation revealed 83 toxin and toxin-like genes, including those affecting sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride ion channels. Approximately 70% of toxin genes were highly expressed in the vesicle; additionally, some exhibited low or no expression in the vesicle while showing high expression in other tissues. Beyond the vesicle, high expression levels of toxin genes were observed in metasoma segments II-V, blood, lateral eyes, chelicerae, legs, pedipalp chelae, femurs, and patellae. This expression pattern suggests that toxin genes are recruited from multiple tissues and may help prevent intraspecific harm during courtship and competition for prey. These findings inspire further research into the evolutionary recruitment process of scorpion toxins.

Dynamical Behavior of a Juvenile Predator, Adult Predator and Prey Model Through Uncertain and Parametric Technique

In this study, an interaction model involving a juvenile predator, an adult predator, and the prey has been developed. It is considered that juvenile predators are unable to reproduce. The adult predator is considered to have an impact on the growth rate of the juvenile predators. It is also assumed that a portion of juvenile predators may become adults. Also, it is considered that adult predators consume prey for food. The logistic growth of prey has been taken into consideration in the absence of an adult predator. The intra-species competition among adult predators is discussed here. It is also assumed that adult predators could chase and eat juvenile predators. Then most of the parametric values are considered interval-valued uncertain numbers. Since it is very hard for us to solve the model when the parametric values are interval-valued. Thus, all of the interval-valued parameters have been simplified into linear parametric form. After that, the nonnegativity and boundedness of the model were discussed. Various possible equilibrium points in the model are analyzed. The model’s local stability and global stability are investigated near these points. It has been noted that the proposed model’s solution is significantly impacted by the uncertain values of the model parameters. Uncertain estimates of intra-species competition among adult predators have been found to have a considerable impact on the stability of the model. It is observed that the increased uncertainty of intra-species competition for prey may stabilize the system. It is reported that the increasing rate of conversion of prey into adult predators can destabilize the ecosystem. It is found that the increasing rate of predation on juvenile predators by adults reduces the number of juveniles that can mature into adults which may create instability in the system.

Bifurcations and pattern formation in a host–parasitoid model with nonlocal effect

In this paper, we analyse Turing instability and bifurcations in a host–parasitoid model with nonlocal effect. For a ordinary differential equation model, we provide some preliminary analysis on Hopf bifurcation. For a reaction–diffusion model with local intraspecific prey competition, we first explore the Turing instability of spatially homogeneous steady states. Next, we show that the model can undergo Hopf bifurcation and Turing–Hopf bifurcation, and find that a pair of spatially nonhomogeneous periodic solutions is stable for a (8,0)-mode Turing–Hopf bifurcation and unstable for a (3,0)-mode Turing–Hopf bifurcation. For a reaction–diffusion model with nonlocal intraspecific prey competition, we study the existence of the Hopf bifurcation, double-Hopf bifurcation, Turing bifurcation, and Turing–Hopf bifurcation successively, and find that a spatially nonhomogeneous quasi-periodic solution is unstable for a (0,1)-mode double-Hopf bifurcation. Our results indicate that the model exhibits complex pattern formations, including transient states, monostability, bistability, and tristability. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to illustrate complex dynamics and verify our theoretical results.

Cultural transmission, competition for prey, and the evolution of cooperative hunting

Although cooperative hunting is widespread among animals, its benefits are unclear. At low frequencies, cooperative hunting may allow predators to escape competition and access bigger prey that could not be caught by a lone cooperative predator. Cooperative hunting is a more successful strategy when it is common, but its spread can result in overhunting big prey, which may have a lower per-capita growth rate than small prey. We construct a one-predator species, two-prey species model in which predators either learn to hunt small prey alone or learn to hunt big prey cooperatively. Predators first learn vertically from parents, then horizontally (i.e. socially) from random individuals or siblings. After horizontal transmission, they hunt with their learning partner if both are cooperative, and otherwise they hunt alone. Cooperative hunting cannot evolve when initially rare unless predators (a) interact with siblings, or (b) horizontally transmit the cooperative behavior to potential hunting partners. Whereas competition for small prey favors cooperative hunting when this cooperation is initially rare, the frequency of cooperative hunting cannot reach 100% unless big prey is abundant. Furthermore, a mutant that increases horizontal learning can invade if cooperative hunting is present, but not at 100%, because horizontal learning allows pairs of predators to have the same strategy. Our results reveal that the interactions between prey availability, social learning, and degree of cooperation among predators may have important effects on ecosystems.

Influence of sea ice concentration, sex and chick age on foraging flexibility and success in an Arctic seabird.

Declining sea ice and increased variability in sea ice dynamics are altering Arctic marine food webs. Changes in sea ice dynamics and prey availability are likely to impact pagophilic (ice-dependent and ice-associated) species, such as thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), through changes in foraging behaviour and foraging success. At the same time, extrinsic factors, such as chick demand, and intrinsic factors, such as sex, are also likely to influence foraging behaviour and foraging success of adult murres. Here, we use 3 years of data (2017-2019) to examine the impacts of environmental conditions (sea ice concentration and sea surface temperature), sex and chick age (as a proxy for chick demand) on foraging and diving behaviour (measured via biologgers), energy expenditure (estimated from activity budgets) and foraging success (measured via nutritional biomarkers) of thick-billed murres during the incubation and chick-rearing stages at Coats Island, Nunavut. Murres only exhibited foraging flexibility to environmental conditions during incubation, which is also the only stage when ice was present. When more ice was present, foraging effort increased, murres foraged farther and made deeper dives, where murres making deeper dives had higher foraging success (greater relative change in mass). During incubation, murre behaviour was also influenced by sex of the individual, where males made more and shorter trips and more dives. During chick-rearing, murre behaviour was influenced primarily by the sex of the individual and chick age. Males made shallower dives and fewer dive bouts per day, and more dives. Birds made longer, deeper dives as chicks aged, likely representing increased intra-specific competition for prey throughout the season. Our results suggest variation in sea ice concentration does impact foraging success of murres; however, sex-specific foraging strategies may help buffer colony breeding success from variability in sea ice concentration.

Widow spiders alter web architecture and attractiveness in response to same-sex competition for prey and mates, and predation risk

Female-female competition in animals has rarely been studied. Responses of females that compete context-dependently for mates and prey, and seek safety from predators, are ideally studied with web-building spiders. Cobwebs possess unique sections for prey capture and safety, which can be quantified. We worked with Steaoda grossa females because their pheromone is known, and adjustments in response to mate competition could be measured. Females exposed to synthetic sex pheromone adjusted their webs, indicating a perception of intra-sexual competition via their sex pheromone. When females sequentially built their webs in settings of low and high intra-sexual competition, they adjusted their webs to increase prey capture and lower predation risk. In settings with strong mate competition, females deposited more contact pheromone components on their webs and accelerated their breakdown to mate-attractant pheromone components, essentially increasing their webs’ attractiveness. We show that females respond to sexual, social and natural selection pressures originating from intra-sexual competition.

Foraging segregation by sex and age class in the Guadalupe fur seal from Guadalupe Island, Mexico

AbstractA proper assessment of the foraging habits of the Guadalupe fur seal (GFS; Arctocephalus townsendi) is a priority to better understand its recovery, in which the potential for intraspecific competition for prey and space resources is expected to lead to segregation. This study aimed to determine the foraging habits of different sex and age classes. A total of 146 GFS fur samples was collected at Guadalupe Island, Mexico (2014–2020) for stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) analysis. Isotopic areas were created (SIBER package in R). Significant isotopic differences were observed between classes. Male (3.6‰2) and female (3.0‰2) juveniles had the largest isotopic areas due to a greater foraging dispersion. Adult females showed the lowest mean δ15N value (16.1‰ ± 0.5‰) due to foraging trips that are mostly performed towards high latitudes. Except for pups, adult and subadult males presented the highest mean δ15N (17.4‰ ± 0.4‰) and δ13C values (−17.0‰ ± 0.8‰) due to a possible higher trophic level and coastal foraging habits, whereas pups presented the highest mean δ15N value (17.6‰ ± 0.3‰) because of lactation, which reflects their mothers δ15N signal plus their own enrichment. Our findings suggest a segregation explained by differences in life history, energy requirements, and a possible strategy to avoid competition.

The effect of nonlocal interaction on chaotic dynamics, Turing patterns, and population invasion in a prey-predator model.

Pattern formation is a central process that helps to understand the individuals' organizations according to different environmental conditions. This paper investigates a nonlocal spatiotemporal behavior of a prey-predator model with the Allee effect in the prey population and hunting cooperation in the predator population. The nonlocal interaction is considered in the intra-specific prey competition, and we find the analytical conditions for Turing and Hopf bifurcations for local and nonlocal models and the spatial-Hopf bifurcation for the nonlocal model. Different comparisons have been made between the local and nonlocal models through extensive numerical investigation to study the impact of nonlocal interaction. In particular, a legitimate range of nonlocal interaction coefficients causes the occurrence of spatial-Hopf bifurcation, which is the emergence of periodic patterns in both time and space from homogeneous periodic solutions. With an increase in the range of nonlocal interaction, the whole Turing pattern suppresses after a certain threshold, and no pure Turing pattern exists for such cases. Specifically, at low diffusion rates for the predators, nonlocal interaction in the prey population leads to the extinction of predators. As the diffusion rate of predators increases, impulsive wave solutions emerge in both prey and predator populations in a one-dimensional spatial domain. This study also includes the effect of nonlocal interaction on the invasion of populations in a two-dimensional spatial domain, and the nonlocal model produces a patchy structure behind the invasion where the local model predicts only the homogeneous structure for such cases.

Stability and spatially inhomogeneous patterns induced by nonlocal prey competition in a generalist predator–prey system

In this paper, we investigate the influence of the nonlocal prey competition on the spatio-temporal dynamics for a generalist predator–prey system. The condition of stability and bifurcations is clearly determined. Our results show that when the prey spreads quickly, the nonlocal intraspecific competition of the prey does not affect the dynamics, however, when the prey spreads slowly, it can affect the dynamics. Besides, no Hopf bifurcation occurs if the ratio of the growth rate of the predator to prey is larger, otherwise, system has Hopf bifurcation and Hopf Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation and so on. It is surprised that the system only with the nonlocal prey competition has more rich dynamics than the system with the nonlocal competitions in both the prey and the predator. The coexistence of bistable spatially inhomogeneous steady states is also found.

Impact of Cooperation and Intra-Specific Competition of Prey on the Stability of Prey–Predator Models with Refuge

The main objective of this study is to find out the influences of cooperation and intra-specific competition in the prey population on escaping predation through refuge and the effect of the two intra-specific interactions on the dynamics of prey–predator systems. For this purpose, two mathematical models with Holling type II functional response functions were proposed and analyzed. The first model includes cooperation among prey populations, whereas the second one incorporates intra-specific competition. The existence conditions and stability of different equilibrium points for both models were analyzed to determine the qualitative behaviors of the systems. Refuge through intra-specific competition has a stabilizing role, whereas cooperation has a destabilizing role on the system dynamics. Periodic oscillations were observed in both systems through Hopf bifurcation. From the analytical and numerical findings, we conclude that intra-specific competition affects the prey population and continuously controls the refuge class under a critical value, and thus, it never becomes too large to cause predator extinction due to food scarcity. Conversely, cooperation leads the maximal number of individuals to escape predation through the refuge so that predators suffer from low predation success.

Stable isotope ecology and interspecific dietary overlap among dolphins in the Northeast Atlantic

Dolphins are mobile apex marine predators. Over the past three decades, warm-water adapted dolphin species (short-beaked common and striped) have expanded their ranges northward and become increasingly abundant in British waters. Meanwhile, cold-water adapted dolphins (white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided) abundance trends are decreasing, with evidence of the distribution of white-beaked dolphins shifting from southern to northern British waters. These trends are particularly evident in Scottish waters and ocean warming may be a contributing factor. This mobility increases the likelihood of interspecific dietary overlap for prey among dolphin species previously separated by latitude and thermal gradients. Foraging success is critical to both individual animal health and overall population resilience. However, the degree of dietary overlap and plasticity among these species in the Northeast Atlantic is unknown. Here, we characterise recent (2015-2021) interspecific isotopic niche and niche overlap among six small and medium-sized delphinid species co-occurring in Scottish waters, using skin stable isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N), combined with stomach content records and prey δ13C and δ15N compiled from the literature. Cold-water adapted white-beaked dolphin have a smaller core isotopic niche and lower dietary plasticity than the generalist short-beaked common dolphin. Striped dolphin isotopic niche displayed no interspecific overlap, however short-beaked common dolphin isotopic niche overlapped with white-beaked dolphin by 30% and Atlantic white-sided dolphin by 7%. Increasing abundance of short-beaked common dolphin in British waters could create competition for cold-water adapted dolphin species as a significant portion of their diets comprise the same size Gadiformes and high energy density pelagic schooling fish. These priority prey species are also a valuable component of the local and global fishing industry. Competition for prey from both ecological and anthropogenic sources should be considered when assessing cumulative stressors acting on cold-water adapted dolphin populations with projected decline in available habitat as ocean temperatures continue to rise.

Morphological characteristics and variations of the Slender racer (Orientocoluber spinalis Peters, 1866; Colubridae: Squamata) across the Republic of Korea

Information on the morphological characteristics of a species can assist in understanding its ecological niche and adaptation to the habitat. The Slender racer (Orientocoluber spinalis) is a near-threatened snake species in the Republic of Korea, but its morphology has not been comprehensively identified. Thus, herein, 45 O. spinalis individuals (21 females and 24 males) from four populations in the Republic of Korea were analyzed using five physical parameters and 19 scales to assess their morphological variations. Their mean snout-vent length, tail length, and body mass were 539 mm, 191 mm, and 39.5 g. Unlike previous studies, the Korean O. spinalis showed sexual dimorphism and geographic variation among populations, mainly in the relative head size. Such variations in the head size may be related to prey competition and availability. The results of this study could present indications of the adaptation of O. spinalis to each habitat that could be further verified if additional research on external environments, such as local prey sources and predators, is conducted.

Geographic and temporal variations in strandings of beaked whales (Ziphiidae) on the coasts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland from 1800-2002

This study analyses published records of beaked whale strandings from the coasts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland between 1800 and 2002. Strandings of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) were lowest in April and highest in September. The number of strandings between months differed significantly from an even spread over all months of the year, with more strandings between July and October. Most strandings in late summer and autumn occurred on North Sea coasts and their stomach contents included the squid Gonatus fabricii, which is found only in more northern waters. This suggests that these whales may be migrating southward at this time of year. Most strandings of Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens) also occurred in late summer and autumn, although this was not significant. Strandings of Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) occurred almost exclusively on the Atlantic coasts of the UK and in Ireland. There were significantly more Cuvier’s beaked whale strandings than expected in January and February and in June and July. A Cuvier’s beaked whale which stranded in northern Scotland in February contained similar prey to two whales stranded in north-western Spain at the same time of year, suggesting this animal could have been feeding in more southern waters prior to stranding. Seasonal patterns of strandings of northern bottlenose and Cuvier’s beaked whales were significantly different with more of the former stranding in August to October and more of the latter from November to July. This is consistent with a hypothesis of temporal segregation between the two species to reduce potential competition for prey.

Predation by the Introduced Brown Widow Spider (Araneae: Theridiidae) May Explain Local Extinctions of Native Black Widows in Urban Habitats

Abstract Invertebrates that successfully colonize new habitats often share life history characteristics including high fertility, rapid development, and early maturation. Since its introduction into Florida, USA, the non-native Brown Widow, Latrodectus geometricus (Kock 1841, Araneae: Theridiidae), has rapidly expanded its range into urban areas as far north as Kansas and as far west as California. During its expansion, the Brown Widow has displaced Florida’s Southern Black Widow, L. mactans (Fabricius 1775, Araneae: Tjerodoodae) and California’s Western Black Widow, L. Hesperus (Chamber lin & Ivie 1935, Araneae: Theridiidae). Here, based on a field survey and controlled laboratory experiments, we report possible causes for the rapid disappearance of Florida’s Southern Black Widows. Our field survey revealed that Brown Widows have twice the fertility potential as Southern Black Widows. In experiments comparing development, we show that sub-adult Brown Widows grew faster and matured earlier relative to Southern Black Widows. In our experiments on cohabitation with neighbors, bold Brown Widows were six times more likely to kill and consume shy Southern Black Widows than bold cobweb spiders and three times more likely to cohabitate with bold cobweb spiders than with shy Southern Black Widows. Our model of maternal risk-management revealed that competition for scarce prey was not a significant cause of offspring mortality for Latrodectus species. Hence, Brown Widows are not predating Black Widows or other cobweb spiders because prey is scarce. To our knowledge, this study is the first to suggest that aggressive predation by Brown Widows is a significant factor contributing to the local extinction of the shy Southern Black Widow in urban structures.

Allee effect in a diffusive predator–prey system with nonlocal prey competition

Nonlocal competition and Allee effect have extensively been considered in modeling population dynamics of species independently. This paper introduces two aspects, which prey has nonlocal competition and predator is subject to Allee effect, in a predator–prey system to investigate the effects of predation on the spatial distribution of prey. The conditions for the coexistence equilibrium point to remain stable and to undergo spatially inhomogeneous Hopf bifurcation and Turing bifurcation have been studied. In the absence of Allee effect, we find that the coexistence equilibrium point of the system is locally asymptotically stable independent of the nonlocal competition. In the presence of Allee effect, nonlocal prey competition can destabilize the coexistence equilibrium point. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical results. The amplitude of oscillation solution for nonlocal prey competition system is larger than local prey competition system until oscillation solution evolves to periodic solution. Also, nonlocal prey competition term can drive a spatially inhomogeneous Hopf bifurcation, and the spatially inhomogeneous periodic solution emerges. Moreover, it is showed that when the habitat domain is larger, comparing with local prey competition system, the prey diffusion coefficient of system with nonlocal prey competition needs to be larger for two species coexistence in the spatially homogeneous form.

El Niño oscillations impact anti-predator defences to alter survival of an herbivorous beetle in a neotropical wet forest

Abstract Little is known about the effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on tropical insect communities, even though they are suffering rapid declines in complexity and stability due to climate change. We explore the impact of fluctuations in local climate imposed by ENSO on the performance of herbivore defences mediating enemy interactions. In a widespread rainforest edge community, we quantified the mortality caused by five enemy guilds on the immature stages of the herbivorous beetle, Acromis sparsa. ENSO was a significant determinant of beetle mortality. During warmer, drier El Niño years, the survival of beetles decreased. This was due to increased egg parasitism by wasps, which reduced hatching. Additionally, ant predation on beetle larvae increased. Flies and wasps were in competition for larval prey in wetter, cooler La Niña years. Experimental removal of maternal guards or chemical shields revealed which ENSO-related parameters predicted larval mortality. Guarding was most effective against social wasps in La Niña, whereas shields proved most effective in El Niño. Two ENSO-related defence–enemy breakdowns occurred: (1) decoupling whereby the efficacy of a narrow defensive adaptation was reduced to increase mortality, and (2) mismatching whereby the resistance of a narrow defensive adaptation against non-targeted enemies was further reduced to increase mortality. These results highlight that defence efficacy against natural enemies can vary predictably with biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. ENSO events will increase breakdowns in defence-mediated interactions, shifts in competition among enemies, and species loss.

Fear effect in a three-species food chain model with generalist predator.

Within the framework of a food web, the foraging behavior of meso-carnivorous species is influenced by fear responses elicited by higher trophic level species, consequently diminishing the fecundity of these species. In this study, we investigate a three-species food chain model comprising of prey, an intermediate predator, and a top predator. We assume that both the birth rate and intraspecies competition of prey are impacted by fear induced by the intermediate predator. Additionally, the foraging behavior of the intermediate predator is constrained due to the presence of the top predator. It is essential to note that the top predators exhibit a generalist feeding behavior, encompassing food sources beyond the intermediate predators. The study systematically determines all feasible equilibria of the proposed model and conducts a comprehensive stability analysis of these equilibria. The investigation reveals that the system undergoes Hopf bifurcation concerning various model parameters. Notably, when other food sources significantly contribute to the growth of the top predators, the system exhibits stable behavior around the interior equilibrium. Our findings indicate that the dynamic influence of fear plays a robust role in stabilizing the system. Furthermore, a cascading effect within the system, stemming from the fear instigated by top predators, is observed and analyzed. Overall, this research sheds light on the intricate dynamics of fear-induced responses in shaping the stability and behavior of multi-species food web systems, highlighting the profound cascading effects triggered by fear mechanisms in the ecosystem.