A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The effects of weasel proximity on the foraging activity of voles
Authors: Koivisto E, Pusenius J
Publisher: FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD
Publication year: 2006
Journal: Annales Zoologici Fennici
Journal name in source: ANNALES ZOOLOGICI FENNICI
Journal acronym: ANN ZOOL FENN
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
First page : 45
Last page: 51
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0003-455X
Abstract
The presence of a predator can cause changes in the feeding behaviour of prey. These changes may have consequences on ecological systems, i.e. behavioural trophic cascades. The proximity of the prey and predator is likely to vary in nature and the intensity of prey responses may vary accordingly. Therefore the occurrence of behavioural trophic cascades may partly depend on whether the prey changes its behaviour when not in immediate contact with the predator. We conducted a laboratory experiment where we measured the foraging activity of wild-caught and laboratory-born voles at different distances from a caged weasel. Both groups responded by reduced activity at the closest distance, 0.15 m. The feeding behaviour of neither group deviated from control (no weasel) when the distance to the weasel was 3.5 metres. At an intermediate distance, 1.5 metres, only the wild-caught voles responded. The response of voles to the presence of a weasel varies between laboratory-born and wild-caught voles and seems to be restricted only to the immediate surroundings of the weasel.
The presence of a predator can cause changes in the feeding behaviour of prey. These changes may have consequences on ecological systems, i.e. behavioural trophic cascades. The proximity of the prey and predator is likely to vary in nature and the intensity of prey responses may vary accordingly. Therefore the occurrence of behavioural trophic cascades may partly depend on whether the prey changes its behaviour when not in immediate contact with the predator. We conducted a laboratory experiment where we measured the foraging activity of wild-caught and laboratory-born voles at different distances from a caged weasel. Both groups responded by reduced activity at the closest distance, 0.15 m. The feeding behaviour of neither group deviated from control (no weasel) when the distance to the weasel was 3.5 metres. At an intermediate distance, 1.5 metres, only the wild-caught voles responded. The response of voles to the presence of a weasel varies between laboratory-born and wild-caught voles and seems to be restricted only to the immediate surroundings of the weasel.
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