Interacting Effects of Leg Autotomy and Exposure to Predator Cues on Survival in A Wolf Spider (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pardosa valens</Emphasis>)

Chemical cues from predators (kairomones) are used by many aquatic and terrestrial animals when deciding on behavioral responses to predation threats. These responses may also be affected by the animal’s physiological state (e.g., nutrition level, parasitism, or prior injury), which could alter normal responses to kairomones. In this study, we examined effects of leg autotomy (the voluntary sacrifice of a leg) on subsequent responses to predator chemical cues in females of the riparian-zone wolf spider Pardosa valens. In a fully-crossed design, spiders with all legs intact or with one leg removed were exposed to one of two cue treatments for 90 min: a control (no predator cue) or one with chemical cues (silk and excreta) from a larger sympatric wolf spider, Rabidosa santrita. We then introduced an R. santrita into each container, and recorded subsequent survival of P. valens. Survivorship was significantly higher for individuals previously exposed to predator cues than for those in the control group; however, autotomy had no effect on survivorship, which was similar for both intact and autotomized spiders in both the predator-cue and control treatments. In addition, although P. valens were more likely to be found off the substrate than on it when the predator was added in each of the four treatment pairings, this initial position did not influence survivorship. These results therefore indicate that P. valens can behaviorally respond to predator kairomones in ways that reduce their risk of predation, but that this response is unaffected by the prior sacrifice of a leg.     

Differential vulnerability of two sympatric tadpoles to an invasive crayfish predator

Many amphibian population declines have been associated with the introduction of alien aquatic predators. Here, we explore the vulnerability of tadpoles of two sympatric Japanese species [Pelophylax nigromaculatus (PN) and Rhacophorus schlegelii (RS)] to the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii. We first examined the behavioral responses of the tadpoles to the cues of caged, fed crayfish predator in a controlled laboratory experiment, and subsequently tested their survival when together in the presence of free-ranging predator in outdoor mesocosms that simulated natural ponds. Only PN reduced activity level to the cues of the predator, but this apparent behavioral defense recorded in the laboratory did not result into higher survival in outdoor mesocosms. In mesocosms, PN exhibited higher biomass increment but experienced higher mortality in predator environments. The mechanism mediating mortality remains unclear though. These results indicate that sympatric prey may differentially respond and be disproportionally vulnerable to novel predators. Our study illustrates the possible contribution of a life-history trait influencing risk of predation in newly invaded systems.     

Chemosensory cues of predators and competitors influence search for refuge in fruit by the coconut mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aceria guerreronis</Emphasis>

Organisms are adapted to recognize environmental cues that can provide information about predation risk or competition. Non-vagrant eriophyoid mites mainly avoid predation by using habitats that are difficult for predators to access (galls or confined spaces in plants) such as the meristematic region of the coconut fruit, which is inhabited by the phytophagous mites Aceria guerreronis and Steneotarsonemus concavuscutum. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of A. guerreronis to cues from the predators Neoseiulus baraki and Amblyseius largoensis in coconut fruits, cues from conspecifics (A. guerreronis injured) and cues from the phytophage S. concavuscutum. The test was carried out through the release of about 300 A. guerreronis on coconut fruits previously treated with cues from predators, conspecific or heterospecific phytophagous. We also observed the walking behaviour of A. guerreronis exposed to the same chemical cues using a video tracking system. The infestation of fruits by A. guerreronis was greater in the presence of predator cues and reduced in the presence of S. concavuscutum cues, but cues from injured conspecifics did not interfere in the infestation process. In addition, the cues also altered the walking parameters of A. guerreronis: it walked more in response to cues from predators and the heterospecific phytophage. Aceria guerreronis spent more time in activity in the treatments with clues than in the control treatment. These results suggest that A. guerreronis recognizes cues from predators and competitors and modifies its behaviour to increase its fitness.     

Can embryonic skipper frogs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis</Emphasis>) learn to recognise kairomones in the absence of a nervous system?

In this study, we used larval Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis to determine the predator recognition mechanism. We conducted a series of experiments to determine if larval E. cyanophlyctis have the innate ability to recognise predatory odour (kairomones) as a threat or if they learn to do so during ontogeny. In the case of learning, we wanted to determine the developmental window during which learning is accomplished. Further, we tested the antipredator response of predator-naïve as well as predator-experienced tadpoles to chemical cues of different origins in order to assess if they exhibit differential responses. Our results clearly indicate that predator-naïve tadpoles of E. cyanophlyctis do not reduce their activity against predatory cues of dragonfly nymphs, suggesting that they lack the innate ability to recognise kairomones. However, they could learn to do so when trained to perceive kairomones simultaneously along with alarm cues. Surprisingly, larval E. cyanophlyctis could learn to recognise kairomones through association during embryonic stages even before the development of a nervous system. Although larval E. cyanophlyctis lack the innate ability to recognise kairomones, they were able to recognise conspecific alarm cues on the first encounter, indicating that they have the innate ability to recognise alarm cues as a potential threat.     

Predator (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carcinus maenas</Emphasis>) nonconsumptive limitation of prey (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nucella lapillus</Emphasis>) feeding depends on prey density and predator cue type

Predators often have nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey. For example, upon detection of predator cues, prey can reduce feeding activities to hamper being detected by predators. Previous research showed that waterborne chemical cues from green crabs (Carcinus maenas, predator) limit the dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus, prey) consumption of barnacles regardless of dogwhelk density, even though individual predation risk for dogwhelks decreases with conspecific density. Such NCEs might disappear with dogwhelk density if dogwhelks feed on mussels, as mussel stands constitute better antipredator refuges than barnacle stands. Through a laboratory experiment, we effectively found that crab chemical cues limit the per-capita consumption of mussels by dogwhelks at low dogwhelk density but not at high density. The combination of tactile and chemical cues from crabs, however, limited the dogwhelk consumption of mussels at both dogwhelk densities. The occurrence of such NCEs at both dogwhelk densities could have resulted from tactile cues indicating a stronger predation risk than chemical cues alone. Overall, the present study reinforces the notions that prey evaluate conspecific density when assessing predation risk and that predator cue type affects their perception of risk.     

Embryonic learning and developmental carry-over effects in an invasive anuran

Carry-over effects influence trait responses in later life stages as a result of early experience with environmental cues. Predation risk is an influential stressor and selection exists for early recognition of threats. In particular, invasive species may benefit from carry-over effects by preemptively recognizing and responding to novel predators via latent developmental changes and embryonic learning. In a factorial experiment, we conditioned invasive American bullfrog embryos (Lithobates catesbeianus) to the odor of a novel fish predator, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) alone or in combination with injured conspecific cues. We quantified developmental carryover in the larval life stage and found that individuals conditioned to the highest risk (fish and injured conspecific cues) grew into longer bodied larvae relative to larvae from lower risk treatments. We also assessed embryonic learning, a behavioral carry-over effect, and found an interaction between embryonic conditioning and larval exposure. Behavioral responses were only found in scenarios when predation risk varied in intensity across life history stages, thus requiring a more flexible antipredator strategy. This indicates a potential trade-off between the two strategies in larval growth and development rates, and time until metamorphosis. Our results suggest that early predator exposure and carry-over effects have significant impacts on life history trajectories for American bullfrogs. This research contributes to our understanding of a potentially important invasion mechanism in an anuran species of conservation concern.     

The Scent of Danger: the Impact of Predator Chemical Cues on Emergence from Refuge and Willingness to Autotomize Limbs in the House Cricket (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acheta domesticus</Emphasis>)

Prey can accurately assess predation risk via the detection of chemical cues and take appropriate measures to survive encounters with predators. Research on the chemical ecology of terrestrial invertebrate predator-prey interactions has repeatedly found that direct chemical cues can alter prey organisms’ antipredator behavior. However, much of this research has focused on the chemical mediation of avoidance and immobility by cues from lycosid spiders neglecting other prominent invertebrate predators and behavior such as autotomy. In our study, house crickets (Acheta domesticus) were exposed to cues from cricket-fed orange-footed centipedes (Cormocephalus aurantiipes), red-back spiders (Latrodectus hasselti), an odorous (cologne) control, and a non-odorous control to determine whether direct chemical cues had any influence on two types of anti-predatory behavior: the willingness (latency) to emerge from a refuge and to autotomize limbs. Exposure to C. aurantiipes cues resulted in a significantly slower emergence from a refuge, but exposure to L. hasselti cues did not. Direct chemical cues had no influence on initial autotomy, but exposure to L. hasselti cues did significantly decrease the latency to autotomize a second limb. That cues from L. hasselti had an influence on a second autotomy, but not initial autotomy may be because crickets that undergo autotomy for a second time may perceive themselves to be already at a higher risk of predation as they were already missing a limb. Variation in responses to cues from different predators demonstrates a need to examine the influence of chemical cues from a wider variety of invertebrate predators on anti-predator behavior.     

Lack of field-based recruitment to carbohydrate food in the Korean yellowjacket, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vespula koreensis</Emphasis>

We investigated field-based recruitment via visual, chemical and acoustic cues provided by conspecific wasps on carbohydrate feeders in Vespula koreensis. A wild colony nest was excavated and artificially installed in a field site. Naïve foragers were individually marked and trained to an experimental feeder. We conducted three separate experiments in which foragers were presented with feeder dishes with different cue intensities. For the first, a different number of decoys were posed as if feeding (visual cue). In the second, dishes had been previously visited by different numbers of individuals, thus presenting different concentrations of a possible food site marking substance (chemical cue). In the third, each dish was placed in front of a covered flask with a different number of nestmates inside (acoustic cue combined with body-odor cue). We observed no social facilitation or social inhibition due to any of the experimental cues. Previous studies in Vespula species have shown a variety of foraging strategies ranging from local enhancement to local inhibition. Field-based recruitment mechanisms in yellowjackets may have evolved independently in different lineages.     

Examining olfactory and visual cues governing host-specificity of a weed biological control candidate species to refine pre-release risk assessment

In weed biological control programs, pre-release host-specificity testing relies traditionally on no-choice and choice feeding, oviposition, and development tests. Rarely have they included detailed examination of behavioral responses to olfactory and visual cues of biological control candidates, although a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying host recognition may explain potential discrepancies between choice and no-choice tests, and/or between tests conducted in the lab versus field conditions. We investigated how the seed-feeding weevil, Mogulones borraginis, distinguishes its host plant, Cynoglossum officinale, from three native confamilial non-target species in North America. In behavioral bioassays, M. borraginis responded to olfactory and visual cues individually and, to an even greater extent, to both plant cue modalities when offered simultaneously. In tests with the combined cues, M. borraginis was attracted to C. officinale but responded with indifference or was repelled by non-target plants. In electrophysiological experiments, we identified that M. borraginis responded to ten volatile compounds and four wavelengths of lights from inflorescences of C. officinale. We propose that studies of responses to multimodal plant cues can advance our understanding of how biocontrol candidate species discriminate among host plants and closely related non-target species, thereby increasing the accuracy of environmental safety assessments pre-release.     

Life history traits determine the differential vulnerability of native and invasive apple snails (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomacea</Emphasis> spp.) to a shared juvenile-stage predator

The vulnerability of gastropods to their predators varies with life history traits such as morphology, body size, behavior, and growth rates as well as predator size. A recent study suggested that the invasive apple snail, Pomacea maculata, was considerably more vulnerable to crayfish predators than the native Florida apple snail, P. paludosa. The difference was hypothesized to be caused by the relatively small hatchling size of P. maculata. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a series of feeding assays designed to quantify maximum feeding rates and selective foraging of crayfish on apple snails. The rate at which crayfish killed individual P. maculata (i.e., kill rates) decreased with snail size, and kill rates on both species increased with crayfish size. Kill rates on juvenile P. maculata were higher than kill rates on size-matched hatchling P. paludosa, and crayfish fed selectively on P. maculata when offered mixed groups of size-matched snails. Further analyses revealed that hatchling P. paludosa possess shells 1.8× heavier than size-matched P. maculata suggesting differences in vulnerability to crayfish were consistent with interspecific differences in shell defenses. Differences in hatchling size and defensive traits in combination make crayfish kill rates on hatchling P. maculata approximately 15.4× faster than on hatchling P. paludosa, but the relative contribution of hatchling size to differences in apple snail vulnerability was >3× greater than the contribution of defensive traits.     

Predator-induced plasticity does not alter the pathway from evolution to ecology among locally adapted populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis>

In the growing field of eco-evolutionary dynamics, evidence for an influence of rapid shifts in phenotype on ecological processes is accumulating, yet, the contributions of phenotypic plasticity versus genetic change to these observed ecological changes are unclear. In one of the best studied ecosystems in terms of eco-evolutionary dynamics, landlocked versus anadromous alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) have caused strong evolutionary divergence in their key zooplankton prey (Daphnia ambigua). We previously showed that such evolutionary differences have cascading ecological effects on consumer-resource dynamics and primary production. Yet, these locally adapted populations of Daphnia also differ in trait plasticity, which may, in turn, modify the pathway from evolution to ecology. Here we compared Daphnia from lakes with landlocked versus anadromous alewife for differences in rates of population growth in the presence and absence of predator cues over the course of a 39-day experiment. We predicted that predator-induced shifts in life history traits would facilitate faster rates of population growth. Contrary to our expectations, predator cue exposure did not alter rates of population growth. We instead found that Daphnia from lakes with landlocked alewife ultimately attained higher population densities (and exhibited faster population growth) when compared with Daphnia from lakes with anadromous alewife. Based on our previous work, these population level responses were unexpected, as Daphnia from lakes with landlocked alewife exhibit slower rates of somatic growth and delayed maturation. We discuss our results in lieu of the known differences in plasticity and how the population growth patterns may be influenced by resource limitation.     

Shared behavioral responses and predation risk of anuran larvae and adults exposed to a novel predator

Invasive species are a regional and global threat to biological diversity. In order to evaluate an invasive predator species’ potential to harm populations of native prey species, it is critical to evaluate the behavioral responses of all life stages of the native prey species to the novel predator. The invasion of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) into southern California provides an opportunity to evaluate the predation risk and behavioral responses of native amphibians. We performed predation trials and explored prey behavioral responses to determine how this invasive predator may impact native amphibian populations using Pacific chorus frogs (Pseudacris regilla) as a representative native California prey species. We found that X. laevis will readily prey upon larval and adult life stages of P. regilla. Behavior trials indicated that both larval and adult P. regilla exhibit prey response behaviors and will spatially avoid the novel invasive predator. The results suggest that native anurans may have a redundant predator response in both the larval and adult life stages, which could reduce the predatory impact of X. laevis but also drive emigration of native amphibians from invaded habitat.     

Native fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cichlasoma istlanum</Emphasis>, hide for longer,move and eat less in the presence of a non-native fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amatitlania nigrofasciata</Emphasis>

Introduction of non-native species is a problem worldwide. Local populations of the Mexican mojarra, Cichlasoma istlanum, have been hypothesized to be negatively affected by the introduction of the convict fish, Amatitlania nigrofasciata. The Mexican mojarra is a cichlid fish native to the Balsas-River Basin. As a first approach to understand the behavioral effect of the convict fish on Mexican mojarra, we experimentally studied the behavioral responses of the latter when exposed to the former. Thus, we recorded refuge use, swimming activity and feeding rate of Mexican mojarra in the presence of a convict fish, a conspecific, and alone. Mexican mojarra used refuges for longer, swum for shorter and ate less in the presence of convict fish than with conspecifics or alone. Because prolonged use of refuge habitat may deprive Mexican mojarra of opportunities to feed, grow, and reproduce, we hypothesize that convict fish can negatively affect the fitness of the former where the two species co-occur.     

Is It Worth the Risk? Food Deprivation Effects on Tadpole Anti-Predatory Responses

Predation risk affects foraging behavior and, particularly, the amount of time devoted to the search for food. When exposed to predation risk, food deprived animals should be risk prone and relax behavioral defenses to a wider extent than well fed individuals. To test for this prediction, we used a 2?×?2 factorial design experiment, manipulating both the energetic state (fed vs. fasted) and exposure to an attack-released cue (injured vs. uninjured conspecifics) of common water frog tadpoles (Pelophylax kl. esculentus). Contrary to expectations, food deprivation significantly lowered the activity level of predator-exposed tadpoles. As in this experiment no food resource was added to test containers, energy conserving behavior might have both delayed starvation and lowered the probability of encountering the potential predator. To test for the effect of food availability on behavioral responses, we performed a second experiment, using the same protocol and procedures, except for adding food to all test containers. All tadpoles showed similar levels of activity, while fed tadpoles exposed to alarm cues tended to swim farther from the cage containing the stimulus than in the first experiment. As many anuran larvae can feed on dead conspecifics, prey-borne cues may have been interpreted as the potential presence of both a food source and a predator, fed tadpoles possibly being more confident than fasted tadpoles in their ability to escape predation in case an actual attack occurs.     

The very hungry amphipod: the invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dikerogammarus villosus</Emphasis> shows high consumption rates for two food sources and independent of predator cues

The invasion of the Ponto–Caspian amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in European rivers is assumed to reduce macroinvertebrate diversity and to alter ecosystem functions. D. villosus shows an extraordinarily flexible feeding behavior including the ability to use various food sources. On the other hand, its response to predation risk seems to depend on environmental factors. To evaluate the ecological function of D. villosus, we estimated the daily food consumption for different food sources and analyzed potential effects of predator avoidance behavior on feeding. D. villosus consumption of willow leaves or chironomid larvae was quantified in 24-h laboratory experiments with and without kairomones of the European bullhead (Cottus gobio). Consumption rates were estimated based on gut content and gut evacuation rate under semi-natural laboratory conditions enabling the animals to feed over the whole time of the evacuation rate experiment. We observed very high evacuation rates and consequently high consumption rates up to 89% of body weight per day. Consumption rates differed significantly between food sources: D. villosus ingested more leaves than chironomid larvae. In contrast, predator cues did not affect the feeding of D. villosus. This might be explained by its strong refuge affinity and probably benefits its successful invasion. A comparison of the estimated consumption rates with results of an own consumption experiment (and other studies) under more artificial conditions indicated that more natural conditions result in higher consumption rates. Consequently, feeding rates from highly artificial experiments should be used with great caution to assess the ecosystem function of D. villosus.     

Pavement Ant Workers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetramorium caespitum</Emphasis>) Assess Cues Coded in Cuticular Hydrocarbons to Recognize Conspecific and Heterospecific Non-Nestmate Ants

Most ants live in closed societies from which non-members are excluded through fighting or ritualized displays to protect colony resources. Nestmate recognition is the process by which ants discriminate nestmate from non-nestmate ants. Ants use cues coded in mixtures of long-chain hydrocarbon compounds on the cuticle as nestmate recognition cues. Pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum) form conspicuous wars between neighboring colonies that are organized after workers meet and make the decision to fight after assessing nestmate recognition cues. These wars involve thousands of individuals. Fighting is ritualized and few ants die in the process. We identified 24 cuticular hydrocarbon compounds, above 1% in relative abundance, in the profile of pavement ants with chain lengths ranging from 15 to 31 carbon atoms. Cuticular lipids contained, in order of abundance: mono-methyl alkanes (45–56%), n-alkanes (range: 16–40% relative abundance), and alkenes (10–20%), with small or trace amounts of di-methyl, tri-methyl alkanes and fatty acids. Results from behavioral tests show that pavement ants assess information in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles to recognize both conspecific and heterospecfic (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis and Camponotus modoc) non-nestmate ants and that the relative abundance of methyl-branched alkanes and alkenes codes for nestmate status, at least for conspecific interactions. Our data add to a growing body of knowledge about how ants use cuticular hydrocarbon based nestmate recognition cues to prevent the intrusion of non-nestmates in to colony space.     

Observations on the chemosensory responses of the midget faded rattlesnake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crotalus oreganus concolor</Emphasis>): discrimination of envenomated prey in a type II venom species

Rattlesnakes use prey chemical cues for ambush site selection and for relocating envenomated (E) prey following a predatory strike. The ability to discriminate between E and non-envenomated (NE) prey cues has been widely studied in rattlesnake species that produce type I venoms, which show high levels of snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) activity and low lethal toxicity [lethal dose which kills 50% of test animals (LD₅₀) >1.0 µg/g]. However, E vs. NE prey discrimination studies have not been conducted on rattlesnake species that produce a type II venom that consists of low SVMP activity and high lethal toxicity (LD₅₀ <1.0 µg/g). In the current study, long-term captive Crotalus oreganus concolor, which produce a type II venom, were tested for their ability to discriminate between chemical cues of natural (Sceloporus undulatus and Peromyscus maniculatus) and non-natural (Hemidactylus frenatus and Mus musculus) prey cues, as well as for their ability to discriminate between E and NE mouse carcasses, when prey envenomation occurred by a conspecific. Snakes showed significant levels of tongue flicking towards the chemical extracts of P. maniculatus and M. musculus, suggesting that C. oreganus concolor exhibit both innate and experience-based plasticity in response to prey chemical cues. In addition, C. oreganus concolor were able to discriminate between E and NE prey sources, when envenomation occurred by a conspecific, indicating that a type II venomous species can also discriminate between E and NE chemical cues.     

Response of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cydnoseius negevi</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to webbing of the date palm mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oligonychus afrasiaticus</Emphasis> (Acari: Tetranychidae), on date palm fruits and leaves

The behavioral response of a generalist phytoseiid predator, Cydnoseius negevi (Swirskii & Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to the complicated webbing of the date palm mite (DPM) Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) was evaluated for the first time on date palm leaves and fruits, both in the laboratory and on field-collected samples. Cydnoseius negevi used its first pair of legs in a swimming-like to-and-fro movement to penetrate the complicated webbing of DPM and demonstrated three attack behaviors, i.e., patrolling (PG), web invasion (WI), and web penetration (WP), against the webbing of DPM on date fruits and leaves. The time spent by the predator on attack behaviors was significantly longer in the laboratory for treatments where either more prey females or immature stages along with females were present. The time spent by C. negevi on response behaviors such as searching, grooming, and resting increased with increased number of DPM females and with the addition of immature stages along with DPM females. Cydnoseius negevi, even though being a generalist phytoseiid predator, showed its potential towards penetrating the complex dense webs of DPM on date palm fruits and leaves. If released in suitable numbers prior to establishment of DPM colonies, C. negevi may prove to be an effective biological control agent.     

Innate Olfactory Responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asobara japonica</Emphasis> Toward Fruits Infested by the Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila

Insect parasitoids are often manipulated to improve biological control programs for various arthropod pests. Volatile compounds can be a relevant cue used by most parasitoid hymenoptera for host or host microhabitat location. Here, we studied olfactory responses of the braconid Asobara japonica Belokobylskij, an Asiatic endoparasitoid of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), toward its host and host substrates. Adult A. japonica displayed an innate attraction to undescribed volatile cues from infested host fruits irrespectively of the juvenile rearing experience, i.e. they respond to a novel cue subsequently used for microhabitat selection. These data suggest that A. japonica parasitoids mass-reared on artificial diet and factitious host (D. melanogaster) can successfully locate their hosts. Naïve female parasitoids did not show a preference towards any of the tested host media. However, the enforced adult experience with the rearing host medium modified the olfactory preference patterns toward non-natal host fruits. These findings provide evidence of associative learning during the adult stage of A. japonica, and demonstrate its plasticity in exploiting the volatiles from various fruits infested by D. suzukii.     

Boldness as a consistent personality trait in the noble crayfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astacus astacus</Emphasis>

Consistent individual differences in behavioural responses to perceived predation risk may have extensive ecological and evolutionary implications. We studied the repeatability of boldness across time and its relation to resource holding potential in the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus L., using predator-naïve immature individuals. We followed individual’s shelter use both with and without exposure to the chemical and physical cues of predators, and with and without the presence of a conspecific. In addition, we examined if armament, i.e. relative chelae size, would be correlated with individual differences in behaviour. Individuals showed repeatable behaviours across time and context. Individuals that occupied the shelter in competitive dyadic tests also spent more time in the shelter during individual control observations, suggesting that boldness is a personality trait that does not necessarily relate positively to high resource holding potential in the noble crayfish. The relative size of chelae did not correlate with any of the measured behavioural variables. Our results suggest that boldness can be considered as individually consistent and ecologically important personality trait in the noble crayfish.