Abstract
I propose to examine the predator-prey space use game in a system of treefrog tadpoles (prey) and several of their common predators.Many studies have shown that have strong impacts on amphibian larval communities both by direct predation and via indirect, non-lethal impacts (trait-mediated effects) on prey behaviors that reduce larval feeding, growth and/or developmental rates. Accordingly, dozens of studies have shown that amphibian larvae exhibit adaptive responses to the presence of predators, typically by reducing larval activity and/or by moving away from areas with higher risk. These studies, however, either used caged predators, or if they used free-swimming predators did not analyze behavioral interactions between predators and prey. From the predator view, many stuides have shown that aquatic invertebrate predators exhibit adaptive responses to their prey, including a tendency to prefer patches with more prey. I aim to test existing predictions about how changes in risks and rewards for predators and prey influence the outcomes of predator-prey spatial games. In addition, I will expand the empirical analyses to include multiple predators since multiple predators are clearly the norm in nature.
Sweden