Predator avoidance and substrate choice of Orconectes virilis.

Abstract

Substrate preference and predator avoidance success were examined between Orconectes virilis and its predator Ambloplites rupestris. We hypothesized that 1) O. virilis will seek cover on more complex structural features of the substrate, in the presence of predators, and that 2) predator avoidance success will be higher on more complex substrates. Data was collected from a two part experiment, both of which were conducted on two different substrates: sand and sand plus rock. part one consisted of observations of prey locations, in the presence of a predator during the trial. Part two consisted of recording the number of crayfish remaining after overnight trials in the presence of a predator. Our results show that O. virilis prefer to orient themselves in relatively more complex locations, but that more complex substrates do not necessarily lead to greater predator avoidance success.