Differences in predator-avoidance behavior between two invasive gobies and their native competitors

Abstract Globally, fish are frequently introduced beyond their native range. Some, like Ponto-Caspian gobies, becoming invasive, achieving high colonization rates and constituting frequent prey for predators. However, little is known about the effectiveness of antipredator behaviors invaders, which may shape role in invaded community contribute to invasion success. We compared invasive gobies species after detection by predator, when danger becomes direct. studied 2 pairs, each consisting an co-occurring environment belonging same guild: (1) racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus versus European bullhead Cottus gobio, (2) monkey Neogobius fluviatilis gudgeon Gobio facing a naïve predator (the Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis). analyzed single individuals (escaping, staying shelter, activity) predators (activity, searching, following, capturing, latency consumption). In presence, was less active more often managed escape capture than goby. The escaped before succeeded later with goby, whereas no differences ingestion time occurred between results suggest that, terms hunting effort predators, equivalent or profitable analogs, can facilitate integration into local food webs.