Evolutionarily Stable Relocation Strategy in an Antlion Larva
Authored by Toshinori Okuyama, Yu-Jen Tsao
Date Published: 2013
DOI: 10.1007/s10905-012-9374-0
Sponsors:
National Science Council of Taiwan
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Antlion pits are often spatially aggregated even though there are
potential negative effects associated with the aggregation (e.g., heightened competition and predation risk). This study investigated the
possibility that a strategy leading to aggregation can be an
evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). In particular, the strategy
considered was `decreasing relocation tendency when there are
neighbors'. An individual based model showed that the strategy can be
the unique ESS when the spatial distribution of prey is not completely
random and antlions can learn it from their past foraging experiences. A
laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the effects of the
presence of neighbors and foraging success on the relocation behavior of
antlion larvae. Antlions reduced their relocation tendency with respect
to these factors, consistent with the predicted ESS. The results suggest
that pit aggregations are formed because antlions reduce their
relocation tendency when neighbors exist, and this strategy is an ESS.
Tags
social information
site selection
Public information
Habitat selection
Particle-size
Euroleon-nostras neuroptera
Ant-lion larvae
Pit construction
Macroleon-quinquemaculatus
Foraging strategy