Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition
The distribution of organisms within a community can often be determined by the degree of plasticity or degree of specialization of resource acquisition. Resource acquisition is often based on the morphology of an organism, behavior, or a combination of both. Performance tests of feeding can identif...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:3a053df2377d41b88fb3a5eb601c41e1 2023-05-15T18:51:08+02:00 Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition Shannon P. GERRY, Andrea J. SCOTT 2010-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doaj.org/article/3a053df2377d41b88fb3a5eb601c41e1 EN eng Oxford University Press http://www.currentzoology.org/paperdetail.asp?id=11453 https://doaj.org/toc/1674-5507 1674-5507 https://doaj.org/article/3a053df2377d41b88fb3a5eb601c41e1 Current Zoology, Vol 56, Iss 1, Pp 100-108 (2010) Optimal foraging theory Prey selection Squalus acanthias Mustelus canis Zoology QL1-991 article 2010 ftdoajarticles 2022-12-31T03:37:25Z The distribution of organisms within a community can often be determined by the degree of plasticity or degree of specialization of resource acquisition. Resource acquisition is often based on the morphology of an organism, behavior, or a combination of both. Performance tests of feeding can identify the possible interactions that allow one species to better exploit a prey item. Scavenging behaviors in the presence or absence of a competitor were investigated by quantifying prey selection in a trophic generalist, spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias, and a trophic specialist, smooth-hounds Mustelus canis, in order to determine if each shark scavenged according to its jaw morphology. The diet of dogfish consists of small fishes, squid, ctenophores, and bivalves; they are expected to be nonselective predators. Smooth-hounds primarily feed on crustaceans; therefore, they are predicted to select crabs over other prey types. Prey selection was quantified by ranking each prey item according to the order it was consumed. Dietary shifts were analyzed by comparing the percentage of each prey item selected during solitary versus competitive scavenging. When scavenging alone, dogfish prefer herring and squid, which are easily handled by the cutting dentition of dogfish. Dogfish shift their diet to include a greater number of prey types when scavenging with a competitor. Smooth-hounds scavenge on squid, herring, and shrimp when alone, but increase the number of crabs in the diet when scavenging competitively. Competition causes smooth-hounds to scavenge according to their jaw morphology and locomotor abilities, which enables them to feed on a specialized resource [Current Zoology 56 (1): 100–108 2010]. Article in Journal/Newspaper spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Optimal foraging theory Prey selection Squalus acanthias Mustelus canis Zoology QL1-991 |
spellingShingle |
Optimal foraging theory Prey selection Squalus acanthias Mustelus canis Zoology QL1-991 Shannon P. GERRY, Andrea J. SCOTT Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
topic_facet |
Optimal foraging theory Prey selection Squalus acanthias Mustelus canis Zoology QL1-991 |
description |
The distribution of organisms within a community can often be determined by the degree of plasticity or degree of specialization of resource acquisition. Resource acquisition is often based on the morphology of an organism, behavior, or a combination of both. Performance tests of feeding can identify the possible interactions that allow one species to better exploit a prey item. Scavenging behaviors in the presence or absence of a competitor were investigated by quantifying prey selection in a trophic generalist, spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias, and a trophic specialist, smooth-hounds Mustelus canis, in order to determine if each shark scavenged according to its jaw morphology. The diet of dogfish consists of small fishes, squid, ctenophores, and bivalves; they are expected to be nonselective predators. Smooth-hounds primarily feed on crustaceans; therefore, they are predicted to select crabs over other prey types. Prey selection was quantified by ranking each prey item according to the order it was consumed. Dietary shifts were analyzed by comparing the percentage of each prey item selected during solitary versus competitive scavenging. When scavenging alone, dogfish prefer herring and squid, which are easily handled by the cutting dentition of dogfish. Dogfish shift their diet to include a greater number of prey types when scavenging with a competitor. Smooth-hounds scavenge on squid, herring, and shrimp when alone, but increase the number of crabs in the diet when scavenging competitively. Competition causes smooth-hounds to scavenge according to their jaw morphology and locomotor abilities, which enables them to feed on a specialized resource [Current Zoology 56 (1): 100–108 2010]. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Shannon P. GERRY, Andrea J. SCOTT |
author_facet |
Shannon P. GERRY, Andrea J. SCOTT |
author_sort |
Shannon P. GERRY, Andrea J. SCOTT |
title |
Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
title_short |
Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
title_full |
Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
title_fullStr |
Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
title_full_unstemmed |
Shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
title_sort |
shark scavenging behavior in the presence of competition |
publisher |
Oxford University Press |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
https://doaj.org/article/3a053df2377d41b88fb3a5eb601c41e1 |
genre |
spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias |
genre_facet |
spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias |
op_source |
Current Zoology, Vol 56, Iss 1, Pp 100-108 (2010) |
op_relation |
http://www.currentzoology.org/paperdetail.asp?id=11453 https://doaj.org/toc/1674-5507 1674-5507 https://doaj.org/article/3a053df2377d41b88fb3a5eb601c41e1 |
_version_ |
1766244922318389248 |