Responses of Four Arthropod Prey Species to Mechanosensory, Chemosensory and Visual Cues from an Arachnid Predator: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

Comparisons of multiple invertebrate prey species to direct predator sensory cues are relatively uncommon. We compared prey responses to arachnid predators (Araneae: Lycosidae) of four species: Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae), Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllinae), Armadillidium vulgare (Oniscidea: Armadillidae), and Porcellio laevis (Oniscidea: Porcellionidae). Prey experienced combinations of direct mechanosensory, chemosensory or visual cues. All species responded to all cues, but response structure differed among species. Mechanosensory and chemosensory predator cues elicited frequent shifts between behaviors, whereas visual stimuli tended to diminish responses. Mechanosensory stimuli produced the most extreme responses, particularly in crickets and cockroaches, but responses to mechanosensory stimuli diminished when accompanied by visual stimuli. Crickets were particularly sensitive to chemical cues and reduced activity in response to them. Isopods were sensitive to visual stimuli, reducing activity in response. These behavioral similarities and differences provide insight into the sensory ecology of different species of arthropod.