We utilized a long-term data base collected over a broad geographic range to examine predator size prey size relationships for 18 species of marine fish predators from continental shelf waters off the northeast US coast. Regression analysis was used to illustrate interspecific variation in ontogenetic patterns of prey size use, gape allometries, and ratio-based trophic niche breadths. Sizebased...

Although soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), has caused economic damage in several Midwestern states, growers in Missouri have experienced relatively minor damage. To evaluate whether existing predatory insect populations are capable of suppressing or preventing soybean aphid population growth or establishment in Missouri, a predator exclusion study was conducted to ...

We model the effects of both stochastic and deterministic temperature variations on arthropod predator-prey systems. Specifically, we study the stochastic dynamics of arthropod predator-prey interactions under a vary ing temperature regime, and we develop an individual model of a prey under pressure from a predator, with vigilance (or foraging effort), search rates, at tack rates, and other pre...

the rice fields consist of diverse fauna of arthropoda because of both subterranean and aquatic ecosystems. in this research, the fauna of predator beetles including carabidae, coccinellidae, staphylinidae, malachiidae, and their population fluctuation were studied in mazandaran province during 2002-2006. a number of 13 carabid species, one staphylinid species, six coccinellid species, and two ...

the predatory bug orius niger wolff is an important predator of the onion thrips, thrips tabaci lindeman in the potato fields of ardabil region. in this study, preference for prey, predatory rate, body size, and some life history parameters of o. niger were studied on seven potato genotypes (including savalan, agria, morene, kondor, diamant, pi397082-2, and pi397097-2)infested to t. tabaciunder...

Models of two-patch predator-prey metacommunities are used to explore how the global predator population changes in response to additional mortality in one of the patches. This could describe the dynamics of a predator in an environment that includes a refuge area where that predator is protected and a spatially distinct ("risky") area where it is harvested. The predator's movement is based on ...

To improve understanding of the complex and variable patterns of predator foraging behavior in natural systems, it is critical to determine how density-dependent predation and predator hunting success are mediated by alternate prey or predator interference. Despite considerable theory and debate seeking to place predator-prey interactions in a more realistic context, few empirical studies have ...

We investigate the influence of asymmetric interactions on coevolutionary dynamics of a predator-prey system by using the theory of adaptive dynamics. We assume that the defense ability of prey and the attack ability of predators all can adaptively evolve, either caused by phenotypic plasticity or by behavioral choice, but there are certain costs in terms of their growth rate or death rate. The...

Predation risk is a strong selective force shaping prey morphology, life history and behavior. Anti-predator behaviors may be innate, learned or both but little is known about the transgenerational behavioral effects of maternally experienced predation risk. We examined intraguild predation (IGP) risk-induced maternal effects on offspring anti-predator behavior, including learning, in the preda...

Intraguild predation (IGP) occurs when one predator species consumes another predator species with whom it also competes for shared prey. One question of interest to ecologists is whether multiple predator species suppress prey populations more than a single predator species, and whether this result varies with the presence of IGP. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine this question, and othe...