Herbivores employ a suite of antipredator behaviours to minimize risk from ambush and cursorial predators

摘要: Prey species may adjust their use of antipredator behaviours to counter the hunting strategies (e.g. ambush versus cursorial) and level risk imposed by different predators. Studies suites across well-defined contrasts predation type are rare, however. Here we explored degree which six herbivore adjusted two predator treatments (lion, Panthera leo, cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, wild dogs, Lycaon pictus). We focused on prey behaviour (vigilance, grouping, temporal use) at waterholes. predicted that if strategy was key driver behaviour, ambushing lions would elicit a greater response than cursorial cheetah dogs. Alternatively, preference main driver, then expected in predators specifically target them (i.e. preferred predators). Overall, found herbivores maintained vigilance, generally moved larger groups used waterholes less dawn, dusk or night (when active) when exposed potential threat lions. However, some within accessible range and/or dogs red hartebeest, warthog, gemsbok) these Yet, magnitude differences group size for were small. Thus, suggest that, overall, around waterholes, probably determined weight possibility being ambushed.