Publication details
Dangerous prey is associated with a type 4 functional response in spiders
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Animal Behaviour |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.03.004 |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | ant; anteater; antipredator defence; model; Pardosa; Xysticus; Zodarion |
| Description | We observed uncommon type of functional response in myrmecophagous spiders. The decrease in a hunting frequency at high prey population densities was caused by ants abilities to defend against attack. For the description of observed data we proposed new mathematical model. Using parameters estimated from this model it is possible to quantify the level of behavioural adaptations for predators and inhibition of predators hunting caused by prey. Thus this model can be used in other predator-prey systems where the prey possesses some defensive mechanisms and for comparing adaptations to hunting of specific prey type in different predators species. |