Behaviourally mediated predation avoidance in penguin prey: in situ evidence from animal-borne camera loggers

Royal Society Open Science
Jonathan M HandleyPierre Pistorius

Abstract

Predator dietary studies often assume that diet is reflective of the diversity and relative abundance of their prey. This interpretation ignores species-specific behavioural adaptations in prey that could influence prey capture. Here, we develop and describe a scalable biologging protocol, using animal-borne camera loggers, to elucidate the factors influencing prey capture by a seabird, the gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua). From the video evidence, we show, to our knowledge for the first time, that aggressive behavioural defence mechanisms by prey can deter prey capture by a seabird. Furthermore, we provide evidence demonstrating that these birds, which were observed hunting solitarily, target prey when they are most discernible. Specifically, birds targeted prey primarily while ascending and when prey were not tightly clustered. In conclusion, we show that prey behaviour can significantly influence trophic coupling in marine systems because despite prey being present, it is not always targeted. Thus, these predator-prey relationships should be accounted for in studies using marine top predators as samplers of mid- to lower trophic-level species.

References

Jun 27, 2002·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Joseph Winchester BrownTaro Fukaya
Oct 27, 2004·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·A TakahashiJ P Croxall
Jun 12, 2008·Ecology·Devin S JohnsonJohn W Durban
Oct 9, 2008·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Leigh G TorresPatrick Halpin
Jan 14, 2011·Nature·Claire SarauxYvon Le Maho
Jan 22, 2013·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Shomen Mukherjee, Michael R Heithaus
Aug 15, 2014·PloS One·Maud Berlincourt, John P Y Arnould
Mar 4, 2015·TheScientificWorldJournal·Hong ZhaoBao-zhao Jin
Jan 7, 2016·Scientific Reports·Megan A CiminoMatthew J Oliver
Jan 16, 2016·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Andréa ThiebaultYann Tremblay
Aug 19, 2017·Scientific Reports·Noori ChoiWon Young Lee
Oct 11, 2017·Royal Society Open Science·Alistair M McInnesPierre A Pistorius

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 25, 2020·PeerJ·Andréa ThiebaultPierre A Pistorius

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

FF mpeg
diveMove
crawl
MPEG
Argos
R
R script

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.