1. Predator–prey models are often used to represent consumptive interactions between species but, typically, are derived using simple experimental systems with little plasticity in prey or predator behaviours. However, many prey and predators exhibit a broad suite of behaviours. Here, we experimentally tested the effect of density‐dependent prey and predator behaviours on per capita relative mortality rates using Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus) consuming juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus).
2. Experimental ponds were stocked with a factorial design of low, medium, and high prey and predator densities. Prey mortality, prey–predator behaviours, and predator stomach contents were recorded over or after 7 days. We assumed the mortality dynamics followed foraging arena theory. This pathologically flexible predator–prey model separates prey into invulnerable and vulnerable pools where predators can consume prey in the latter. As this approach can represent classic Lotka–Volterra and ratio‐dependent dynamics, we fit a foraging arena predator–prey model to the number of surviving prey.
3. We found that prey exhibited density‐dependent prey behaviours, hiding at low densities, shoaling at medium densities, and using a provided refuge at high densities. Predators exhibited ratio‐dependent behaviours, using an ambush foraging mode when one predator was present, hiding in the shadows at low prey–high predator densities, and shoaling at medium and high prey–high predator densities. The foraging arena model predicted the mortality rates well until the high prey–high predator treatment where group vigilance prey behaviours occurred and predators probably interfered with one another resulting in the model predicting higher mortality than observed.
4. This is concerning given the ubiquity of predator–prey models in ecology and natural resource management. Furthermore, as Allee effects engender instability in population regulation, it could lead to inaccurate predictions of conservation status, population rebuilding or harvest rates.

中文翻译：

---

依赖密度的猎物行为和可变的捕食者觅食模式会诱发Allee效应和对猎物死亡率的高估

1. 捕食者－猎物模型通常用于表示物种之间的消费相互作用，但通常是使用简单的实验系统得出的，而猎物或捕食者行为的可塑性很小。但是，许多猎物和天敌表现出各种各样的行为。在这里，我们使用佛罗里达鲈鱼（Micropterus floridanus）和幼龄蓝Blue（Lepomis macrochirus），实验性地测试了密度依赖性猎物和捕食者行为对人均相对死亡率的影响。
2. 实验池中放有低，中，高猎物和捕食者密度的析因设计。在7天内或之后记录猎物死亡率，捕食者-捕食者的行为以及捕食者的胃内容物。我们假设死亡率动态遵循觅食竞技场理论。这种病理学上灵活的捕食者－猎物模型将猎物分为无害和脆弱的池，捕食者可以在后者中消耗猎物。由于这种方法可以代表经典的Lotka–Volterra和依赖比率的动力学，因此我们将觅食场所的捕食者–猎物模型与残存的猎物数量相匹配。
3. 我们发现猎物表现出依赖于密度的猎物行为，以低密度躲藏，以中等密度潜伏，并在高密度下使用避难所。捕食者表现出与比率有关的行为，当存在一个捕食者时使用伏击觅食模式，以低猎物-高捕食者密度躲藏在阴影中，并以中，高猎物-高捕食者密度潜伏。觅食场所模型可以很好地预测死亡率，直到高捕食者-高捕食者的治疗发生了群体的警惕性，捕食者可能互相干扰，导致该模型预测的死亡率要高于观察到的死亡率。
4. 考虑到在生态学和自然资源管理中普遍存在的捕食者－猎物模型，这令人担忧。此外，由于阿利效应导致人口调控的不稳定，因此可能导致对保护状况，人口重建或收成率的预测不准确。