Effects of dead conspecifics, hunger states, and seasons on the foraging behavior of the purple urchin Heliocidaris crassispina

摘要: The top-down component of trophic cascades exerts a powerful effect between predator and prey relationships in an ecosystem. In aquatic environments, the signals associated with predators predation are used by as cue to avoid encountering when foraging for food. These cues enough control populations indirectly protect primary producers. We evaluated effects on purple urchin, Heliocidaris crassispina also examined how starvation season influenced effects. Using time-lapse photography, we conducted series manipulative situ behavior experiments determine patterns which demonstrate modification. results suggest that starved urchins were less sensitive compared normally fed urchins. Field indicated proportion fled exposed (presence dead urchin), whereas all remained regardless cue, complemented from laboratory. Sea urchin activity feeding rates lower winter-spring than summer-autumn. has large influence over decision-making process sea urchins, their response is affected due metabolic control. general, hunger overrides avoidance behaviors exposes species higher risks predation.