The ability of a prey species to assess the risk that a predator poses can have important fitness advantages for the prey species. To better understand predator–prey interactions, more species need to be observed to determine how prey behavioral responses differ in intensity when approached by different types of predators. The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is preyed upon by all predators occurring in its distribution area. Therefore, it is an ideal species to study anti-predator behavior. In this study, we investigated the intensity of anti-predator behavior of pikas in response to visual cues by using four predator species models in Maqu County on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The behavioral response metrics, such as Flight Initiation Distance (FID), the hiding time and the percentage of vigilance were significantly different when exposed to a Tibetan fox, a wolf, a Saker falcon and a large-billed crow, respectively. Pikas showed a stronger response to Saker falcons compared to any of the other predators. Our results showed that pikas alter their behavioral (such as FID, the hiding time and the vigilance) response intensity to optimally balance the benefits when exposed to different taxidermy predator species models. We conclude that pikas are able to assess their actual risk of predation and show a threat-sensitive behavioral response.

中文翻译：

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高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）的风险评估：行为反应的强度因天敌物种而异。

猎物物种评估捕食者构成的风险的能力可能对猎物物种具有重要的适应性优势。为了更好地了解捕食者与猎物之间的相互作用，需要观察更多物种，以确定当不同类型的捕食者接近时，捕食者行为反应的强度如何不同。高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）被分布在该地区的所有捕食者捕食。因此，它是研究反捕食者行为的理想物种。在这项研究中，我们通过使用青藏高原东部玛曲县的四种捕食物种模型研究了皮卡响应视觉提示的抗捕食行为的强度。行为响应指标，例如飞行起始距离（FID），暴露于藏族狐狸，狼，Saker猎鹰和大嘴乌鸦时，躲藏时间和警惕百分比显着不同。与其他捕食者相比，皮卡斯对萨克猎鹰的反应更强。我们的结果表明，当暴露于不同的动物标本捕食物种模型时，鼠兔会改变其行为（例如FID，隐藏时间和警惕性）反应强度，以最佳地平衡收益。我们得出的结论是，皮卡犬能够评估其捕食的实际风险并显示出对威胁敏感的行为反应。暴露时间和警惕性）响应强度，以在暴露于不同动物标本捕食物种模型时最佳地平衡收益。我们得出的结论是，皮卡犬能够评估其捕食的实际风险并显示出对威胁敏感的行为反应。暴露时间和警惕性）响应强度，以在暴露于不同动物标本捕食物种模型时最佳地平衡收益。我们得出的结论是，皮卡犬能够评估其捕食的实际风险并显示出对威胁敏感的行为反应。