Behavioral responses to, and fitness consequences from, an invasive species are life-stage dependent in a threatened native fish

Abstract

Native wildlife are impacted by invasive species in numerous ways and will be more vulnerable if they cannot recognize the threat posed by an invader. Impacts, however, are generally assessed for a single life stage and without consideration of behavioral responses. This limits knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning the threats of invaders and the responses that could help or hinder native animals to mitigate this threat. We conducted a series of experiments to examine if the threat of an invader and behavioral responses by a native animal are life-stage dependent. Our focal species were a widespread invasive (Gambusia holbrooki) and a threatened native Australian freshwater fish (Galaxiel..