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Evidence of weaker phenotypic plasticity by prey to novel cues from non-native predators.

ABSTRACT: A central question in evolutionary biology is how coevolutionary history between predator and prey influences their interactions. Contemporary global change and range expansion of exotic organisms impose a great challenge for prey species, which are increasingly exposed to invading non-native predators, with which they share no evolutionary history. Here, we complete a comprehensive survey of empirical studies of coevolved and naive predator-prey interactions to assess whether a shared evolutionary history with predators influences the magnitude of predator-induced defenses mounted by prey. Using marine bivalves and gastropods as model prey, we found that coevolved prey and predator-naive prey showed large discrepancies in magnitude of predator-induced phenotypic plasticity. Although naive prey, predominantly among bivalve species, did exhibit some level of plasticity - prey exposed to native predators showed significantly larger amounts of phenotypic plasticity. We discuss these results and the implications they may have for native communities and ecosystems.

SUBMITTER: Hollander J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4984509 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Evidence of weaker phenotypic plasticity by prey to novel cues from non-native predators.

Hollander Johan J Bourdeau Paul E PE

Ecology and evolution 20160702 15

A central question in evolutionary biology is how coevolutionary history between predator and prey influences their interactions. Contemporary global change and range expansion of exotic organisms impose a great challenge for prey species, which are increasingly exposed to invading non-native predators, with which they share no evolutionary history. Here, we complete a comprehensive survey of empirical studies of coevolved and naive predator-prey interactions to assess whether a shared evolution ...[more]

PMID: 27551388

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Evidence of weaker phenotypic plasticity by prey to novel cues from non-native predators.

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Evidence of weaker phenotypic plasticity by prey to novel cues from non-native predators.

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