@article{fdi:010066105,
  title = {{H}ow to capture fish in a school ? {E}ffect of successive predator attacks on seabird feeding success},
  author = {{T}hiebault, {A}. and {S}emeria, {M}. and {L}ett, {C}hristophe and {T}remblay, {Y}ann},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {1. {P}rey aggregations, such as fish schools, attract numerous predators. {T}his typically leads to the formation of multispecific groups of predators. {T}hese aggregations can be seen both as a place of increased competition and as a place of possible facilitation between predators. {C}onsequently, the functional role of such predator-prey aggregation is uncertain, and its effect on individual feeding success is virtually unknown. 2. {U}sing underwater film footage of different predators feeding on fish schools during the sardine run in {S}outh {A}frica, we directly measured the in situ feeding success of individual {C}ape gannets {M}orus capensis in different foraging situations. 3. {W}e determined the types of {C}ape gannet attacks (direct plunge dive or plunge dive followed by underwater pursuit) and we measured the occurrences and timing of attacks from the different species (mostly {C}ape gannets and long-beaked common dolphins {D}elphinus capensis). {W}e also estimated the size of the targeted fish schools. {T}hese observations were complemented with a simulation model to evaluate the cumulative effect of successive predator attacks on the prey aggregation structure. 4. {T}he probability to capture a fish in one feeding attempt by {C}ape gannets averaged 0.28. {I}t was lower when gannets engaged in underwater prey pursuit after the plunge compared to direct plunge (0.13 vs. 0.36). {W}e found no effect of the number of prey on gannets' feeding success. {H}owever, the timing and frequency of attacks influenced strongly and positively the feeding success of individuals. {T}he probability to capture a fish was the lowest (0.16) when no attack occurred in the few seconds (1-15 s) prior to a dive and the highest ((similar to)0.4, i.e. more than twice) when one or two attacks occurred during this time window. {T}he simulation model showed that a prey aggregation disorganized just after an attack and that the maximum of disturbance was obtained a few seconds after the initiation of the successive attacks. 5. {O}ur study suggests that, in multispecies predator assemblages, the cumulative effect (through disorganization of school cohesiveness) of the multiple species attacking a prey aggregation may increase the feeding success of each individual. {T}herefore, facilitation between predators is likely to overcome competition in these multispecific assemblages.},
  keywords = {boid ; competition ; dolphins ; facilitation ; foraging ; gannets ; group hunting ; modelling ; sardine run ; video ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD} ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {A}nimal {E}cology},
  volume = {85},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {157--167},
  ISSN = {0021-8790},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1111/1365-2656.12455},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010066105},
}