title: The decision to feed by a scavenger in relation to the risks of predation and starvation.
abstract: Recent theoretical models have considered how nutritional status and predation risk affect the decision by an individual to forage. We consider the feeding behaviour of a scavenger under risk of predation. The intertidal gastropod Nassarius dorsatus Röding was used to test the following hypotheses: (1) a damaged conspecific should be a less preferred meal than a damaged predator or another species; (2) a scavenger should be able to discriminate between a damaged conspecific in the presence and one in the absence of its predator, preferring the latter; and (3) the decision by a scavenger to feed should reflect a trade-off between nutritional status and the above preferences. Results from the laboratory and field were consistent with predictions. Two hypotheses are suggested from the work: scavengers may generally be less willing to feed on carcases of conspecifics than on those of other species, and intertidal scavengers may commonly face a relative or absolute shortage of food.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Central Queensland, 4702, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: McKillup
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Central Queensland, 4702, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: McKillup
keywords: Foraging; Intertidal; Scavenger; Starvation; Trade-off