Experimental predictions of the functional response of a freshwater fish

Authors: Murray, G.P.D., Stillman, R.A., Gozlan, R.E. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: Ethology

Volume: 119

Issue: 9

Pages: 751-761

eISSN: 1439-0310

ISSN: 0179-1613

DOI: 10.1111/eth.12117

Abstract:

The functional response is the relationship between the feeding rate of an animal and its food density. It is reliant on two basic parameters; the volume searched for prey per unit time (searching rate) and the time taken to consume each prey item (handling time). As fish functional responses can be difficult to determine directly, it may be more feasible to measure their underlying behavioural parameters in controlled conditions and use these to predict the functional response. Here, we tested how accurately a Type II functional response model predicted the observed functional response of roach Rutilus rutilus, a visually foraging fish, and compared it with Type I functional response. Foraging experiments were performed by exposing fish in tank aquaria to a range of food densities, with their response captured using a two-camera videography system. This system was validated and was able to accurately measure fish behaviour in the aquaria, and enabled estimates of fish reaction distance, swimming speed (from which searching rate was calculated) and handling time to be measured. The parameterised Type II functional response model accurately predicted the observed functional response and was superior to the Type I model. These outputs suggest it will be possible to accurately measure behavioural parameters in other animal species and use these to predict the functional response in situations where it cannot be observed directly. © 2013 The Authors. Ethology.

Source: Scopus

Experimental Predictions of The Functional Response of A Freshwater Fish

Authors: Murray, G.P.D., Stillman, R.A., Gozlan, R.E. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: ETHOLOGY

Volume: 119

Issue: 9

Pages: 751-761

eISSN: 1439-0310

ISSN: 0179-1613

DOI: 10.1111/eth.12117

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Experimental Predictions of The Functional Response of A Freshwater Fish

Authors: Murray, G.P.D., Stillman, R.A., Gozlan, R.E. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: Ethology

Volume: 119

Pages: 1-11

Publisher: Wiley

ISSN: 0179-1613

DOI: 10.1111/eth.12117

Abstract:

The functional response is the relationship between the feeding rate of an animal and its food density. It is reliant on two basic parameters; the volume searched for prey per unit time (searching rate) and the time taken to consume each prey item (handling time). As fish functional responses can be difficult to determine directly, it may be more feasible to measure their underlying behavioural parameters in controlled conditions and use these to predict the functional response. Here, we tested how accurately a Type II functional response model predicted the observed functional response of roach Rutilus rutilus, a visually foraging fish, and compared it with Type I functional response. Foraging experiments were performed by exposing fish in tank aquaria to a range of food densities, with their response captured using a two-camera videography system. This system was validated and was able to accurately measure fish behaviour in the aquaria, and enabled estimates of fish reaction distance, swimming speed (from which searching rate was calculated) and handling time to be measured. The parameterised Type II functional response model accurately predicted the observed functional response and was superior to the Type I model. These outputs suggest it will be possible to accurately measure behavioural parameters in other animal species and use these to predict the functional response in situations where it cannot be observed directly.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Robert Britton, Richard Stillman and Gregory Murray