Life Sciences Commons^™

The Fear Factor: Impacts Of Perceived Predation Risk And Competition On Fall Field Crickets (Gryllus Pennsylvanicus), Ruilin Guo

2017 Undergraduate Awards

Fear is a powerful force. The perceived threat of predation and competition can cause behavioural and physiological changes that ultimately affect fitness. Fear of predation may result in decreased foraging, increased hiding, or energetically-costly defense mechanisms, while intraspecific competition may lead to risky mating efforts. I investigated the impact of perceived predation and competition on the growth, behaviour, and fecundity of fall field crickets (Gryllus pennsylvanicus). This study is the first to manipulate both perceived predation and competition while measuring multiple impacts, allowing a holistic perspective. Using four treatments of control, predation, competition, and predation+competition, I exposed juvenile crickets to …