Comments on: How Do Predators Use Fear to Benefit Oysters? http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407 The Adventure of Discovery Where the Land Meets the Sea Thu, 23 May 2013 16:57:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: WFSU In the Grass, On the Reef http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-91083 WFSU In the Grass, On the Reef Wed, 22 May 2013 19:09:59 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-91083 [...] oyster reefs work and it only contained a few ingredients: predatory fish frighten crabs and this fear protects oysters….a beautiful trophic cascade! But years later, we figured the recipe was too simple. So, we [...] [...] oyster reefs work and it only contained a few ingredients: predatory fish frighten crabs and this fear protects oysters….a beautiful trophic cascade! But years later, we figured the recipe was too simple. So, we [...]

]]> By: WFSU In the Grass, On the Reef http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-78132 WFSU In the Grass, On the Reef Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:00:45 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-78132 [...] that visit oyster reefs may help maintain reefs and the services they provide (check out that post here). My ivory-tower mission was to see if the benefits of predators on oyster reefs change from North [...] [...] that visit oyster reefs may help maintain reefs and the services they provide (check out that post here). My ivory-tower mission was to see if the benefits of predators on oyster reefs change from North [...]

]]> By: John http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-78081 John Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:06:56 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=5407#comment-78081 I am sure you will get to this at some point, but does the effect of fear in suppressing predation of the mesopredators change with hunger and/or food supply? I know James Gilliam did some nice studies which demonstrated that if the reward increased (i.e., more food), the predator would forage in a riskier habitat. I am sure a similar thing would happen if the mesopredators were starving. Is this something you guys were able to control/test in these experiments? I am sure you will get to this at some point, but does the effect of fear in suppressing predation of the mesopredators change with hunger and/or food supply?

I know James Gilliam did some nice studies which demonstrated that if the reward increased (i.e., more food), the predator would forage in a riskier habitat. I am sure a similar thing would happen if the mesopredators were starving. Is this something you guys were able to control/test in these experiments?

]]>