Data from: Non-consumptive effects of predators on prey that outgrow the predation window

In many aquatic predator–prey relationships, prey species can outgrow the
“predation window” and reach a size refuge. After the prey outgrow the
predation window, predators can no longer affect prey density and
phenotypes through consumption (i.e., consumptive effects). In contrast,
whether predators have non-consumptive effects on prey during this period
is unclear because the cues triggering risk-induced trait responses in
prey may exist during the entire persistence period of predators. The
movement of interacting members of predator populations among patches of
habitat creates variation in the timing and duration of predator and prey
co-occurrence. The period even after the prey outgrow the predation window
can also matter in explaining magnitudes of risk-induced trait responses
in prey. To explore the possibility of non-consumptive effects of
predators on prey after they have outgrown the predation window, we
conducted a laboratory experiment using adult Notonecta triguttata
(backswimmers) and their prey, Zhangixalus arboreus (forest green tree
frog) tadpoles. We assessed the effect of backswimmer presence/absence (1)
during the period in which tadpoles are within the predation window and
(2) after the tadpoles outgrow the predation window, on tadpole
life-history traits. Backswimmer presence during the predation window and
following the predation window independently resulted in a slightly
extended tadpole period.These results suggest the importance of
considering the entire period of predatorandprey co-occurrenceto
understand all of the non-consumptive effects that predators have on prey.
Several aquatic predators that consume a fixed range of prey sizes and are
also capable of movement across land, such as backswimmers and newts, can
move among ponds. Predator mobility can contribute to creating variation
in key early life-history traits of prey by varying predation intensity
while prey are within the predation window, but also when prey have
outgrown it, eventually affecting prey population dynamics.