Evaluating evasion strategies in zebrafish larvae
Abstract
An effective evasion strategy allows prey to survive encounters with predators. Prey are generally thought to escape in a direction that is either random or serves to maximize the minimum distance from the predator. Here, we introduce a comprehensive approach to determine the most likely evasion strategy among multiple hypotheses and the role of biomechanical constraints on the escape response of prey fish. Through a consideration of six strategies with sensorimotor noise and previous kinematic measurements, our analysis shows that zebrafish larvae generally escape in a direction orthogonal to the predator’s heading. By sensing only the predator’s heading, this orthogonal strategy maximizes the distance from fast-moving predators, and, when operating within the biomechanical constraints of the escape response, it provides the best predictions of prey behavior among all alternatives. This work demonstrates a framework for resolving the strategic basis of evasion in predator–prey interactions, which could be applied to a broad diversity of animals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2218909120
Entities
People
- Brendan Colvert
- Eva Kanso
- Matthew J McHenry
- Yi Man
- Yusheng Jiao
Organizations
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Peking University
- University of California
- University of Southern California