Ecology of fear in highly invasive fish revealed by robots

Invasive species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We develop an innovative experimental approach, integrating biologically inspired robotics, time-series analysis, and computer vision, to build a detailed profile of the effects of non-lethal stress on the ecology and evolution of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)-a global pest. We reveal that brief exposures to a robotic predator alter mosquitofish behavior, increasing fear and stress responses, and mitigate the impact of mosquitofish on native tadpoles (Litoria moorei) in a cause-and-effect fashion. Effects of predation risk from the robot carry over to routine activity and feeding rate of mosquitofish weeks after exposure, resulting in weight loss, variation in body shape, and reduction in the fertility of both sexes-impairing survival, reproduction, and ecological success. We capitalize on evolved responses of mosquitofish to reduce predation risk-neglected in biological control practices-and provide scientific foundations for widespread use of state-of-the-art robotics in ecology and evolution research.

Automated summary

Invasive species pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Researchers have used an innovative experimental approach to show that brief exposure to a robotic predator alters mosquitofish behavior, increasing fear and stress responses, and mitigates its impact on native tadpoles. The effects of predation risk from the robot persist for weeks, resulting in weight loss, body shape variation, and reduced fertility in mosquitofish.