Mechanisms and processes of predator-prey interactions of fish

捕食是构成水生食物网的关键因素。然而，捕食者对生态系统的影响不仅仅是捕食猎物，捕食者还可以通过非捕食效应改变猎物的行为，从而导致群落结构、生物多样性和非生物因素的变化。捕食甚至被认为是进化的重要驱动力。尽管对捕食者对猎物密度和生长的影响进行了大量的研究，但在个体和种群水平上对捕食者对猎物特定行为的影响及其对食物网结构的影响尚缺乏了解。利用化学示踪剂和新型声学遥测定位系统（我的实验室对这些仪器进行了世界上第一次测试），我的研究计划旨在量化捕食者和猎物鱼类在非生物（如温度）和生物（如捕食者狩猎策略）因素变化下的营养相互作用。目的是阐明影响营养相互作用的机制和过程，并最终在个体和种群水平上构建水生生态系统和食物网。鉴于淡水和海洋生态系统中顶级捕食者生物量和健康状况的减少，以及入侵物种、污染和气候变化给这些系统带来的额外压力，有必要更好地了解是什么控制着捕食者-猎物相互作用，以及这如何影响生态系统功能。

Predation is a key factor that structures aquatic food webs. However, the influence of a predator on an ecosystem goes beyond just consumption of prey species, predators can alter the behavior of prey via non-consumptive effects that lead to changes in community structure, biodiversity, and abiotic factors. Predation is even thought to be an important driver of evolution. Although a large number of studies have been conducted on the influence of predators on prey density and growth there is a lack of understanding on effects of predators on specific behavior of prey species at the individual and population level and how this affects food web structure. Using chemical tracers and novel acoustic telemetry positioning systems (my ab performed the world's first test of these instruments), my research program aims to quantify the trophic interactions of predator and prey fish species over a variation of abiotic (e.g., temperature) and biotic (e.g., predator hunting strategy) factors using controlled manipulations of ponds. The goal is to elucidate the mechanisms and processes that influence trophic interactions and ultimately structure aquatic ecosystems and food webs at the individual and population level. Given reductions in the biomass and health of top predators across freshwater and marine ecosystems, and additional stresses placed on these systems by invasive species, pollution and climate change, there is a need to better understand what controls predator-prey interactions and how this influences ecosystem functioning.