Data from: Non-consumptive predator driven mortality causes natural selection on prey

Predators frequently exert natural selection through differential consumption of their prey. However, predators may also cause prey mortality through non-consumptive effects, which could cause selection if different prey phenotypes are differentially susceptible to this non-consumptive mortality. Here we present an experimental test of this hypothesis, which reveals that non-consumptive mortality imposed by predatory dragonflies causes selection on their damselfly prey favoring increased activity levels. These results are consistent with other studies of predator driven selection, however, they reveal that consumption alone is not the only mechanism by which predators can exert selection on prey. Uncovering this mechanism also suggests that prey defensive traits may represent adaptations to not only avoid being consumed, but also for dealing with other sources of mortality caused by predators. Demonstrating selection through both consumptive and non-consumptive predator mortality provides us with insight into the diverse effects of predators as an evolutionary force.

捕食者通常通过对猎物的差异化取食来施加自然选择压力。然而，捕食者还可通过非消耗性效应（non-consumptive effects）导致猎物死亡；若不同猎物表型对该非消耗性死亡的易感程度存在差异，则该效应可引发选择作用。本研究针对该假说开展了实验验证，结果显示捕食性蜻蜓施加的非消耗性死亡，会对其猎物——豆娘——产生选择作用，倾向于选择活动水平更高的个体。该研究结果与其他捕食者介导选择作用的相关研究结论一致，但同时表明，取食并非捕食者对猎物施加选择作用的唯一机制。揭示这一机制还表明，猎物的防御性状不仅是为了避免被捕食者取食，同时也是为了应对捕食者引发的其他死亡来源。证实捕食者的消耗性死亡与非消耗性死亡均可引发选择作用，有助于我们深入理解捕食者作为一种进化驱动力所产生的多样效应。