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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Colin Tosh
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Srinakharinwirot University, 2016.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Predator avoidance is considered to be an important behavioral trait leading to successful invasions of non-native species. In the past few decades, the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) was intentionally introduced into Thailand. Since its introduction, it has led a decline in biodiversity, especially native apple snails (Pila spp.), as well as disturbing the functioning of ecosystems. To evaluate whether behavioral differences in predator avoidance might be an underlying mechanism affecting invasion success of the non-native apple snail, we examined the predator avoidance behavior of the native apple snail (Pila pesmei) and the invasive apple snail (Po. canaliculata) to chemical cues from the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus). We found that both apple snails’ species responded to fish chemical cues by going to the bottom. However, Pi. pesmei did not begin avoiding predator chemical cues until after 30 min into the treatments while Po. canaliculata showed avoidance to predator chemical cues within the first 30 min up to 60 min of the trial. These results suggest that the non-native invasive species exhibited better predator avoidance behavior than native species and this understanding may help explain why invasive apple snails have become successfully established species and impacted native apple snail populations.
Author(s): Pradabphetrat P, Aroonsrimorakot S, Füreder L, Colin T, Piyapong C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Research, Science and Technology for Learning
Year: 2016
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Pages: 325-338
Print publication date: 25/12/2016
Online publication date: 25/12/2016
Acceptance date: 25/12/2016
Date deposited: 06/01/2017
ISSN (electronic): 1906-9790
Publisher: Srinakharinwirot University
URL: http://ejournals.swu.ac.th/index.php/JSTEL/issue/view/852
