Understanding predator-prey space use as an interactive game

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回应对方时的空间结果。猎物和捕食者的反应可能正相关、负相关或不相关。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，它应该对捕食者-猎物种群和群落生态学产生有用的见解。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、海鬣蜥和它们的捕食者（蝾螈幼虫、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。该项目将包括一个复杂的捕食者和猎物实验池塘的设置，以量化空间使用与捕食风险和捕食者回报之间的关系。更广泛的影响。该项目将延续ppi每年培养一名博士后、两名研究生和两名或更多本科生的记录。将尽一切努力征聘妇女和少数民族担任这些职务。因为这个项目包括建模、实地考察和对照实验，受训者将对整合一系列技术的好处有所了解。研究结果将为许多应用生态问题（如生物防治、渔业、保护生物学）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。该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。

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.