How Movement Properties Affect Prey Encounter Rates of Ambush Versus Active Predators: A comment on Scharf et al

Authors

Tal Avgar, Utah State UniversityFollow
Nir Horvitz, Hebrew University of JerusalemFollow
Luba Broitman, Hebrew University of JerusalemFollow
Ran Nathan, Hebrew University of JerusalemFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The American Naturalist

Volume

172

Issue

4

Publisher

American Society of Naturalists

Publication Date

9-12-2008

First Page

593

Last Page

595

Abstract

Using an individual‐based model, Scharf and coworkers showed that ambush predators may encounter prey more frequently than active predators. We show that this surprising result emerges because active predators were oblivious to prey during movement, an assumption that refutes the common conception about active foraging and lessens the key difference between these foraging modes. A revised model confirms that active predators always encounter prey more frequently, unequivocally supporting the authors’ conclusion that the advantage of active predators diminishes as prey moves faster or more directionally. We suggest that movement‐dependent perception quality can determine the relative efficiency of these two foraging modes.

Recommended Citation

Avgar, T., N. Horvitz, L. Broitman, and R. Nathan (2008) How Movement Properties Affect Prey Encounter Rates of Ambush Versus Active Predators: A comment on Scharf et al. American Naturalist, 172: 593-595