Understanding predator-prey space use as an interactive game

将捕食者与猎物的空间利用作为互动游戏来理解

• 批准号: 0446276
• 负责人: Andrew Sih
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of California-Davis
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-04-01 至 2010-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0446276&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Understanding; predator; prey; space; use

Numerous studies have shown that prey tend to avoid areas with higher predation risk, and conversely, that predators tend to prefer areas with more prey. These are conflicting responses. Surprisingly few studies have looked at spatial outcomes when both predators and prey are free to respond to the other. Responses of prey and predator could be positively correlated, negatively correlated, or show no correlation. Gaining a better understanding of this 'predator-prey space game' is an area of major importance for behavioral ecology that should yield useful insights for predator-prey population and community ecology. This project will involve empirical studies and a modeling framework using genetic algorithms to incorporate complex aspects of reality into predator-prey games. A series of experiments on space games involving Pacific treefrog tadpoles, Hyla regilla, and their predators (salamander larvae, dragonfly larvae) will include experimental and statistical methods to yield new insights that guide further theory. The project will involve a complex setup of experimental ponds of predators and prey to quantify the relationship between space use and predation risk and predator reward.Broader Impacts. The proposed project will continue the PIs record of training by involving a postdoctoral associate, 2 graduate student RAs and 2 or more undergraduate researchers each year. Every effort will be made to recruit women and minorities into these positions. Because the project includes modeling, fieldwork, and controlled experiments, trainees will gain an appreciation of the benefits of integrating a range of techniques. The results should yield valuable insights for many applied ecological issues (e.g., biocontrol, fisheries, conservation biology). Project participants will actively disseminate results at conferences, research seminars, and in publications. Past work from this lab has been widely cited in the academic literature, and has been featured in several textbooks, newspaper articles and an occasional interview.

大量研究表明，猎物倾向于避开捕食风险较高的地区，相反，捕食者倾向于选择猎物较多的地区。这些都是相互矛盾的反应。令人惊讶的是，很少有研究关注捕食者和猎物都可以自由地对对方做出反应的空间结果。猎物和捕食者的反应可以是正相关的，也可以是负相关的，或者是不相关的。更好地理解这种“捕食者-猎物空间游戏”是行为生态学的一个重要领域，它应该为捕食者-猎物种群和群落生态学提供有用的见解。该项目将涉及实证研究和使用遗传算法的建模框架，以将现实的复杂方面纳入捕食者-猎物游戏。一系列关于太空游戏的实验涉及太平洋树蛙蝌蚪、Hyla Regilla及其捕食者(火蜥蜴幼虫、蜻蜓幼虫)，将包括实验和统计方法，以产生指导进一步理论的新见解。该项目将涉及一组复杂的捕食者和猎物的实验池塘，以量化空间使用与捕食风险和捕食者奖励之间的关系。拟议的项目将通过每年有1名博士后助理、2名研究生助理和2名或更多本科生研究人员参与，延续PIS的培训记录。将尽一切努力招募妇女和少数族裔担任这些职位。由于该项目包括建模、实地调查和受控实验，受训者将认识到整合一系列技术的好处。研究结果应能为许多应用的生态学问题(例如，生物控制、渔业、养护生物学)提供有价值的见解。项目参与者将在会议、研究研讨会和出版物上积极传播成果。这个实验室过去的工作在学术文献中被广泛引用，并在几本教科书、报纸文章和偶尔的采访中出现。