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opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Tracking the path from learning to innate predator recognition in Lymnaea stagnalis

Organisms evolve adaptive strategies to adjust to the rapidly changing environmental stressors. Predation pressure is one of the strongest selective forces and organisms respond to predatory threats via innate and learned responses. We utilized a natural, experimental set-up, where two lakes –Stoney and Margo in Saskatchewan, Canada containing natural populations of the prey Lymnaea stagnalis differed in the presence and absence of an invasive, predatory Northern crayfish, Faxonius virilis. We exploited the contrast in the predation backgrounds of the snail populations from the two lakes to test, a) if predator-naïve snails learn to detect a novel invasive predator, b) predator recognition in predator-experienced snails is innate, and, c) if learning about a novel predator gets transmitted to the successive generations. We quantified predator fear memory formation using a higher-order learning paradigm called configural learning. We found that a) predator-naïve snails learned to recognize the novel predator even after a brief exposure to predator cues highlighting the role of learning in combating invasive predators, b) predator recognition in predator-experienced snails is innate, and, c) the learning and predator detection mechanisms is not transmitted to successive generations. The population variation observed in the predator-detection mechanism may be due to the activation and deactivation of a predatory template as a function of predator exposure in the environment. We find an interesting study system to address how fear learning occurs and the possible mechanism of the formation of innate fear recognition from a learned fear recognition.

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Static visual predator recognition in jumping spiders

Visually detecting, recognizing, and responding appropriately to predators increases survival. Failure to detect a predator or long decision times carry high and potentially fatal costs. Consequently, many animals show general anti-predatory responses toward threatening stimuli, e.g., looming objects. However, in the context of lurking or stalking ambush predators, visual recognition is based on static visual cues, making this task computationally demanding. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) have superb vision and are excellent ambush predators but they can equally fall prey to other jumping spiders. In a hierarchical decision-making setup, we tested whether the common zebra jumping spider (Salticus scenicus) can visually recognize stationary predators. We measured the spiders’ behavioural responses towards predator (naturally co-occurring, non-co-occurring and artificial) and non-predator objects as well as towards objects with modified features. Our experiments show that salticids demonstrate a robust, fast, and repeatable “freeze and retreat” behaviour when presented with stationary predators, but not similarly sized non-predator objects. Anti-predator responses were triggered by co-occurring and non-co-occurring salticid predators, as well as by 3D-printed salticid models (based on micro-CT scans), suggesting a generalized predator detection/classification. Using modified 3D-printed models, we found evidence that eyes act as an important cue. However, eyes alone did not explain the responses, suggesting that underlying processes rely on multiple rather than single features. To address the role of learning and memory, we tested newly emerged spiderlings and found the same behavioural responses towards predator objects suggesting an innate response. The ability of jumping spiders to innately recognize a non-moving threat is surprising in terms of underlying cognitive processes and the evolution thereof. Escaping from a predator before an attack has been launched likely carries sufficient selective benefits. From a cognitive perspective, the overlap of static visual characteristics between salticid predators, prey, and conspecifics invites further questions considering the mechanisms of such nuanced visual discrimination and categorization in animals with complex vision but relatively small nervous systems.

opencc-by-4.0Oct 2021View details →

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Data from: Highlighting potential physical and chemical cues involved in conspecific recognition system in a predator nematode, Seinura caverna

Conspecific recognition is the ability to distinguish and respond to individuals of the same species. In nematodes, this behavior can mediate aggregation, feeding behavior, or mating. Here, we investigated whether and how the predatory nematode Seinura caverna recognizes and avoids conspecifics to prey on. In predation assays, S. caverna did not kill conspecifics, but killed nematodes of three heterospecific species. Interestingly, S. caverna did not kill Ektaphelenchoides spondylis nematodes. S. caverna did not eject its stylet when encountering conspecifics or E. spondylis. The characterization of the internal cuticle structure of 13 nematode species suggested that the cuticle may play a role in the preying decision, as E. spondylis and S. caverna exhibited similar, type III, cuticle layers. Chemical extracts from S. caverna further repelled conspecifics. We discuss the potential hierarchical use of physical and chemical cues in S. caverna predation behavior and provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations and behavior of this organism.

publicMay 2025View details →

Data from: Recognition of predator cues hinders social communication

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publicOct 2022View details →

Tracking the path from learning to innate predator recognition in Lymnaea stagnalis

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publicAug 2023View details →

Data from: Highlighting potential physical and chemical cues involved in conspecific recognition system in a predator nematode, Seinura caverna

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FIGURES 1–8 in Species recognition in the genus Scolothrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), predators of leaf-feeding mites

FIGURES 1–8. Scolothrips species. (1) S. ochoa, pro, meso and metanota. Head and thorax 2–3 (arrow indicates position of posteromesad discal setae): (2) S. latipennis; (3) S. sexmaculatus. Antenna 4–5: (4) S. ochoa; (5) S. asura. (6) S. brevipilis (in Canada balsam). (7) S. sexmaculatus (in clove oil). (8) S. rhagebianus (in Hoyers mountant).

opennotspecifiedDec 2011View details →

opencc-zeroAug 2021View details →

Visual recognition and coevolutionary history drive responses of amphibians to an invasive predator

During biotic invasions, native prey are abruptly exposed to novel predators and are faced with unprecedented predatory pressures. Under these circumstances, the lack of common evolutionary history may hamper predator recognition by native prey, undermining the expression of effective anti-predatory responses. Nonetheless, mechanisms allowing prey to overcome evolutionary naïveté exist. For instance, in naïve prey, history of coevolution with similar native predators or recognition of general traits characterizing predators can favor recognition of stimuli released by invasive predators. However, few studies assessed how these mechanisms shape prey response at the community level. Here, we evaluated behavioral responses in naïve larvae of 13 amphibian species to chemical and visual cues associated with an invasive predator, the American red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Moreover, we investigated how variation among species responses was related to their coexistence with a similar native crayfish predator. Amphibian larvae altered their behavior in presence of visual stimuli of the alien crayfish, while chemical cues elicited feeble and contrasting behavioral shifts. Activity reduction was the most common and stronger response, whereas in some species we detected more heterogeneous strategies also involving distancing and rapid escape response. Interestingly, species sharing coevolutionary history with the native crayfish were able to finely tune their response to the invasive one, performing bursts to escape. These results suggest native prey can respond to invasive predators through recognition of generic risk cues (e.g., approaching large shapes), still the capability of modulating anti-predator strategies may also depend on their coevolutionary history with similar native predators.

opencc-zeroSep 2023View details →

Acquired predator recognition via epidermal alarm cues but not dietary alarm cues by isolated pupfish

We tested whether Shoshone pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis shoshone and Amargosa River pupfish C. n. amargosae respond behaviourally to conspecific chemical alarm cues released when epidermal tissue is damaged by a predator. We found that both subspecies reduced activity and vertical position in the water column in response to alarm cues. We then tested if pupfish can use alarm cues to acquire recognition of a novel predator. We trained pupfish with (1) water + odour of largemouth bass fed a diet of earthworms, (2) alarm cues from skin extract (epidermal alarm cues) + odour of bass fed a diet of earthworms, or (3) water + odour of bass fed a diet of pupfish (dietary alarm cues). Pupfish responded to epidermal alarm cues but not to dietary alarm cues. Pupfish were retested with the odour of bass that were fed an earthworm diet. Pupfish that had previously received epidermal alarm cues reduced vertical position and activity relative to the other two treatments. This is the first demonstration of acquired recognition of a novel predator by a pupfish, the first report of partial predator naiveté, and opens the possibility of predator-recognition training as a tool for management and conservation of endangered desert fishes.

publicAug 2021View details →

Visual recognition and coevolutionary history drive responses of amphibians to an invasive predator

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publicSep 2023View details →

Acquired predator recognition via epidermal alarm cues but not dietary alarm cues by isolated pupfish

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opencc-zeroApr 2020View details →

Exposure to a novel predator induces visual predator recognition by naïve prey

The 'life-dinner principle' posits that there is greater selection pressure on the species that have more to lose in an interaction. Thus, based on the asymmetry within predator-prey interactions there is an advantage for prey to learn quickly, especially in response to novel, introduced predators. Here we test the 'learned recognition' hypothesis that posits that naïve prey species' ability to recognize and respond to introduced predators can be induced through experience. We quantified the behavioural response of initially predator naïve burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) that had been living in the presence (for 8 - 15 months) and absence of an introduced predator (feral cats—Felis catus) to models of cats, a herbivore (rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)), novel object (plastic bucket) and no object (control). We expected that if bettongs recognized cats as a threat they would be more wary in the presence of cat models than either rabbit models, buckets or the control. Bettongs living without predators did not modify their behaviour in response to the cat model, but spent more time cautiously approaching the rabbit model compared to the control. However, bettongs living with cats spent more time cautiously approaching the cat model compared to the rabbit, bucket and control. Our results are consistent with the learned recognition hypothesis which suggests that a predator-naïve prey species ability to recognize novel predators is inducible through experience. Our finding suggests that antipredator responses of reintroduced species could be improved prior to release by exposing them to predators under carefully controlled conditions.

opencc-zeroDec 2015View details →

Data from: Prenatal exposure to predation affects predator recognition learning via lateralization plasticity

Prey with cerebral lateralization often shows a bias in escape direction and asymmetrical use of eyes for scanning. Such asymmetries are likely to cause ecological disadvantages when, for example, predators attack from the side in which the prey is more susceptible. However, lateralized individuals are diffuse in many species and, paradoxically, their frequency increases via developmental plasticity in environments with high-predation risk. Using wood frog tadpoles, Lithobates sylvaticus, we tested the hypothesis that cerebral lateralization enhances predator recognition learning and thus overcomes the costs of behavioral asymmetries in high predation risk environments. In the first experiment, we found tadpoles exposed to risk as embryos developed more intense lateralization in a rotational test compared to predator-naive controls. Risk exposure led to the more frequent development of clockwise swimming preference. In the second experiment, we found that tadpoles exhibiting no behavioral lateralization and tadpoles with marked clockwise swimming preference learned to recognize the novel predator odor, with the latter showing a better performance as predicted. Tadpoles with anticlockwise swimming preference did not learn to associate the predator with risk. Exposure to a high-risk environment during early ontogeny appears to favor the development of either a lateralization phenotype with refined predator recognition learning skills, or, to a lesser extent, a lateralization phenotype with poor predator recognition learning skills. Such individuals likely cope with predation using mechanisms other than learning.

publicSep 2016View details →

Data from: Prenatal exposure to predation affects predator recognition learning via lateralization plasticity

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publicApr 2020View details →

Exposure to a novel predator induces visual predator recognition by naïve prey

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