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Group formation stabilizes predator–prey dynamics

Author

Listed:
  • John M. Fryxell

    (University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1)

  • Anna Mosser

    (Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA)

  • Anthony R. E. Sinclair

    (University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z4)

  • Craig Packer

    (Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA)

Abstract

Super groups Many if not most predator and prey populations are puzzlingly stable, despite the fact that instability is expected based on the kinds of ecological interactions that typically occur. Fryxell et al. develop the hypothesis that one factor contributing to stability is reduced predator search efficiency caused by group formation by both predators and prey. Field data on lions and their large herbivore prey from Serengeti National Park suggest that group formation by both protagonists has an enormous impact on population dynamics, lending stability to what would otherwise be a highly unstable situation.

Suggested Citation

  • John M. Fryxell & Anna Mosser & Anthony R. E. Sinclair & Craig Packer, 2007. "Group formation stabilizes predator–prey dynamics," Nature, Nature, vol. 449(7165), pages 1041-1043, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:449:y:2007:i:7165:d:10.1038_nature06177
    DOI: 10.1038/nature06177
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    Cited by:

    1. Borofsky, Talia & Feldman, Marcus W. & Ram, Yoav, 2024. "Cultural transmission, competition for prey, and the evolution of cooperative hunting," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 12-21.
    2. L. Boronyak & B. Jacobs & A. Wallach & J. McManus & S. Stone & S. Stevenson & B. Smuts & H. Zaranek, 2022. "Pathways towards coexistence with large carnivores in production systems," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 47-64, March.
    3. de Kerckhove, Derrick T. & Shuter, Brian J., 2022. "Predation on schooling fish is shaped by encounters between prey during school formation using an Ideal Gas Model of animal movement," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 470(C).

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