The More the Merrier: Swarming as an Antipredator Strategy in the Mysid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomysis Integer</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Eveliina Lindén |
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Institution: | 1.Finnish Institute of Marine Research,Helsinki,Finland;2.Tv?rminne Zoological Station,Hanko,Finland |
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Abstract: | The swarming behaviour of a Baltic littoral mysid shrimp, Neomysis integer, was studied both in the presence and absence of a predator (European perch, Perca fluviatilis L.). I performed two kinds of laboratory experiments. First, the swarming tendency of mysids and the effect of swarm size
on swarm choice were studied. Second, the ingestion rate of mysids was measured when feeding alone versus in a swarm. The
results indicate that N. integer actively join swarms. The avoidance of the perch by N. integer individuals was stronger when there was a swarm present. Larger swarms were preferred over smaller ones regardless of presence
or absence of the predator. The overall feeding rate was similar when feeding alone and in swarm, but predator cues reduced
feeding rate only when the mysids were feeding alone. This study demonstrates the capability of N. integer to assess predation risk and social context and alter their behaviour accordingly. |
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Keywords: | Aggregation Antipredator behaviour Ingestion rate Neomysis integer Swarm |
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