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Aggressive Interactions and Risk of Fish Predation...
Journal article

Aggressive Interactions and Risk of Fish Predation for Larval Damselflies

Abstract

Larval damselflies frequently engage in aggressive interactions that may increase their risk of fish predation. To test this we analyzed the behavior of larval Ischnura verticalis exposed to both conspecifics and fish predators. Larvae in the presence of conspecifics oriented, struck, and swam more but crawled less compared to solitary larvae; the presence of fish reduced, or tended to reduce, all behaviors. Fish struck more at interacting larvae compared to noninteracting larvae. Increased attack rate by fish likely reflects the increase in the very active swimming behavior by larvae and suggests a conflict between antipredator behaviors. Swimming is an appropriate response to avoid predation by odonate larvae which normally ambush prey but is clearly dangerous when fast-swimming fish that cue in on movement are nearby.

Authors

Baker RL; Elkin CM; Brennan HA

Journal

Journal of Insect Behavior, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 213–223

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

DOI

10.1023/a:1020966817008

ISSN

0892-7553

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