Predator-prey interactions shape thermal patch use in a newt larvae-dragonfly nymph model.

ABSTRACT: Thermal quality and predation risk are considered important factors influencing habitat patch use in ectothermic prey. However, how the predator's food requirement and the prey's necessity to avoid predation interact with their respective thermoregulatory strategies remains poorly understood. The recently developed 'thermal game model' predicts that in the face of imminent predation, prey should divide their time equally among a range of thermal patches. In contrast, predators should concentrate their hunting activities towards warmer patches. In this study, we test these predictions in a laboratory setup and an artificial environment that mimics more natural conditions. In both cases, we scored thermal patch use of newt larvae (prey) and free-ranging dragonfly nymphs (predators). Similar

SUBMITTER: Gvozdik L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3670910 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature