Synopsis
If an individual is less susceptible to predation in a group it should be able to reduce its vigilance for predators and perhaps also its tendency to flee from predators, thereby gaining time and energy for feeding and other activities. These predictions were examined in the field (Veronica Lake, northwestern Ontario) using a facultative schooling species, the spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius). Schools of various sizes ‘attacked’ with a fish predator model had a significantly lower reaction distance to the predator than solitary shiners. Solitary shiners must therefore invest more time and energy in defense but may gain a feeding advantage because their visual field does not overlap with conspecific competitors.
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Seghers, B.H. Facultative schooling behavior in the spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius): possible costs and benefits. Environ Biol Fish 6, 21–24 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001795
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001795