Prey Behavior and Predator-Prey Coexistence in a Patchy Environment

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Predator-prey theory suggests that key factors determining predator-prey coexistence in a patchy environment include: 1) predation rates in patches with predators; 2) prey fitness in patches without predators; and 3) patterns of movement among patches. The proposed research will examine factors that influence the coexistence of small-mouthed salamander larvae with predatory sunfish at two spatial scales: in stream pools and in streams consisting of a series of pools, some of which lack fish. The proposed work includes 3 components: A) field surveys to estimate larval survivorship in fish and fishless pools, and larval movement among pools; B) field studies on the effects of larval behaviors on survivorship and dispersal among fish and fishless pools; and C) field experiments on the survivorship in fish pools. Surprisingly few empirical studies have examined the effects of behavior on predator-prey coexistence in a pathcy environment. This study will include: 1) detailed data on the effects of behavior on the three factors affecting coexistence (listed above); and 2) assessments of behavioral correlations that can produce important indirect effects on coexistence patterns.