Subhabitat selection by foraging threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ): previous experience and social conformity

摘要: Any mechanism that allows animals to increase their foraging efficiency is likely be selected for, including the ability learn recognise and subsequently discriminate between habitat types based on profitability. In a series of laboratory studies, we manipulated prey densities across two different experimental subhabitats demonstrated threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) can develop preferences for have previously yielded prey. Fish were not recalling spatial location patches; rather, they discriminating experience there allocating effort accordingly. Foraging took around 14 days develop, once established, persisted independently density, suggesting fish using rather than real-time sampling select grounds. When presented focal with social information cues, found preferentially used local enhancement current public cues when conflicted previous experience, but did use prior information. This suggests in presence conspecifics, individuals prioritise conformity over private We discuss our results context optimal trade-offs associated balancing conflicting