Optimal apostatic selection: how should predators adjust to variation in prey frequencies?

Merilaita, S. and Ruxton, G.D. (2009) Optimal apostatic selection: how should predators adjust to variation in prey frequencies? Animal Behaviour, 77(1), pp. 239-245. (doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.09.032)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.09.032

Abstract

Although frequency-dependent predation or apostatic selection has been established as one of the phenomena that may promote prey diversity, little is known about its selection. We studied such selection with a model with two prey types, treating frequency-dependent predator behaviour as an evolving trait determined by two parameters. One parameter controlled change in both prey type detection probabilities as a consequence of detecting a prey individual of a given type, and the other controlled the maximal amount of bias in detection probabilities of the two prey types. We let frequency-dependent behaviour evolve under different conditions of prey frequency variation. We found that frequency-dependent predator behaviour was most beneficial when deviations from equal prey type frequencies were large. Furthermore, different patterns of prey type variation selected for different types of frequency-dependent predator behaviour. We conclude that optimal frequency-dependent predator behaviour is likely to vary with ecological conditions. (c) 2008 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ruxton, Professor Graeme
Authors: Merilaita, S., and Ruxton, G.D.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Animal Behaviour
ISSN:0003-3472

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