ISSN:
1365-2427
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
〈list style="custom"〉1We examined the predator-avoidance behaviour, exhibited in response to chemical cues, of two populations of the snail Physella heterostropha pomila. Snails were subjected to four treatments simulating different degrees of predation risk: control water (low risk), or water from tanks containing nonforaging crayfish (intermediate risk), crushed conspecifics (high risk) or crayfish consuming conspecifics (high risk). Data were analysed using three-way ANOVA models (population × predator chemicals × injured conspecific chemicals).2 Physella increased its avoidance behaviour as risk increased. Crayfish cue elicited a significantly greater response than from controls. Cues from injured conspecifics elicited the strongest response.3 Physella exhibited several types of avoidance behaviour, including burial into the substratum, moving to the water surface, and crawling out of the water. The type of cue present influenced response type. Cues from crayfish reduced burial and increased movement to the water surface or out of the water. Cues from injured-conspecifics significantly increased crawling completely out of the water.4The two populations differed in the type and degree of response exhibited. One population exhibited significantly greater ‘reactivity’ (i.e. any avoidance behaviour) in response to foraging crayfish, and more burial and crawl-out behaviours were exhibited in high-risk treatments.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2427.2000.00576.x
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