Title | Population differences in effects of fish on Physia integra refuge use |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2003 |
Authors | Bernot, RJ |
Journal | American Midland Naturalist |
Volume | 150 |
Pagination | 51 -57 |
Accession Number | KNZ00872 |
Abstract | Prey populations exposed to different sets of predators often adopt distinct antipredator behaviors. We investigated the refuge use of a freshwater pulmonate snail, Physa integra, in the presence and absence of fish predators. Over 80% of snails in sites with fish used refuge, while only 50% used refuge in sites without fish. Snails in sites with fish were also significantly smaller than snails in sites without fish. In a laboratory experiment, the presence of fish did not alter the habitat use of snails collected from a no-fish site, whereas snails collected from a site with fish used refuge when exposed to predation risk. These results support the hypothesis that P. integra exhibit local behavioral adaptations to their predator regime. |
DOI | 10.1674/0003-0031(2003)150[0051:PDIEOF]2.0.CO;2 |