Using information from multiple predation cues may allow prey to accurately assess predation risk and correlate antipredator responses with the intensity of the threat. We assessed whether combined unimodal cues would enhance antipredator behaviour in captivity by presenting 10 wild-caught ship rats, Rattus rattus, with direct and indirect simulated visual predation cues, either alone or in combination. We measured changes in activity and foraging behaviours to examine how antipredator behaviour differed when rats were exposed to bright light (an indirect visual predation cue), a looming stimulus (a direct visual predation cue that simulates an attacking aerial predator) and bright light combined with the looming stimulus (direct and indirect visual cues combined). In most cases, the combined visual cues significantly enhanced antipredator responses relative to control conditions (i.e. no looming stimulus and low light); rats adopted cautious foraging strategies and exhibited sustained avoidance behaviour. Ship rats appear to amplify their responses to risk when exposed to combined unimodal predation cues; the finding could be exploited to control the activities of rodent pests, but also warns of possible impacts of multiple sensory pollutants.

中文翻译：

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船鼠对视觉刺激的反捕食者反应：结合单峰捕食线索产生风险规避

使用来自多个捕食线索的信息可以让猎物准确评估捕食风险，并将反捕食者的反应与威胁的强度相关联。我们评估了组合的单峰线索是否会通过单独或组合呈现 10 只野生捕获的船鼠 Rattus rattus 与直接和间接模拟视觉捕食线索来增强反捕食者的行为。我们测量了活动和觅食行为的变化，以检查当大鼠暴露于强光（间接视觉捕食线索）、迫在眉睫的刺激（模拟攻击性空中捕食者的直接视觉捕食线索）和强光与迫在眉睫的刺激（直接和间接视觉线索相结合）。在大多数情况下，相对于控制条件（即没有迫在眉睫的刺激和低光），组合的视觉线索显着增强了反捕食者的反应；大鼠采取谨慎的觅食策略并表现出持续的回避行为。当暴露于组合的单峰捕食线索时，船鼠似乎会放大它们对风险的反应；这一发现可用于控制啮齿动物害虫的活动，但也警告多种感官污染物可能产生的影响。