Adaptation of Prey to Predators Affected by Fishing Practices

Jim Crocker
6th December, 2024

Adaptation of Prey to Predators Affected by Fishing Practices

As predator evolvability decreases, the effect of prey adaptation on the fished predator population transitions from being detrimental, leading to 'evolutionary murder', to being beneficial, resulting in 'indirect evolutionary rescue'.

Image adapted from: Shang et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • This study from Tohoku University explores how prey adaptation affects predator survival under selective fishing pressures
  • When predators can evolve quickly, fishing pressures prevent them from adapting, leading to prey escaping predation and harming predator survival
  • When predators evolve slowly, reduced predation pressure makes prey less defensive, indirectly helping predator survival
The concept of "indirect evolutionary rescue" refers to the evolutionary adaptation of one species that can prevent another species from going extinct in an unfavorable environment. This recent study from Tohoku University[1] investigates how prey adaptation impacts the survival of a predator subjected to selective harvesting, a scenario relevant to fisheries management. The research uses an eco-evolutionary predator-prey model to explore these dynamics. The study finds that the effect of prey adaptation on predator persistence depends on the predator's ability to evolve, known as "evolvability." When the predator has high evolvability, selective fishing pressures inhibit the predator's adaptation to the prey. This allows the prey to adapt and escape predation, negatively impacting predator survival—a phenomenon termed "evolutionary murder." Conversely, when the predator has low evolvability, the removal of predator individuals by fisheries reduces predation pressure on the prey. This makes the prey less defensive, which in turn positively affects predator survival, resulting in indirect evolutionary rescue. This research builds on earlier findings that highlight the genetic changes caused by human harvesting of animals[2]. The study acknowledges that selective pressures from fishing can drive rapid evolutionary changes, affecting both predator and prey populations. This aligns with previous studies that have shown how rapid evolution can significantly alter the dynamics of ecological communities[3]. By incorporating these principles, the study provides a nuanced understanding of how selective harvesting impacts predator-prey interactions. Evolutionary rescue, where adaptive changes restore positive growth to declining populations, is a well-documented phenomenon[4]. However, this study expands on that concept by demonstrating how the evolutionary adaptation of prey can indirectly rescue predator populations. This is particularly relevant for fisheries management, where understanding the eco-evolutionary interplay is crucial for sustainable resource management. The study's findings suggest that fisheries management plans should consider the evolutionary potential of both predator and prey species. By doing so, it is possible to develop strategies that minimize harmful genetic changes and promote the persistence of both predator and prey populations. This research underscores the importance of incorporating genetic and evolutionary considerations into natural resource management to ensure the long-term sustainability of harvested populations.

Animal ScienceMarine BiologyEvolution

References

Main Study

1) Rescue or murder? The effect of prey adaptation to the predator subjected to fisheries.

Published 5th December, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70336

Related Studies

2) Genetic effects of harvest on wild animal populations.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2008.02.008

3) Rapid exploiter-victim coevolution: the race is not always to the swift.

https://doi.org/10.1086/653665

4) Evolutionary rescue in a changing world.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2014.06.005


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