Risk in a changing world: environmental cues drive anti-predator behaviour in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the absence of predators

Rapidly changing climates and habitats represent challenges faced by the majority of animal species on our planet, and are leading to rapid declines in global biodiversity. However, the degree to which behaviour is influenced by changing environmental cues is not well understood. Specifically, environmental cues that have been correlated with predator abundance or performance over evolutionary history may have significant effects on prey behaviour. In the present study, we investigated the role of water clarity on foraging activity in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the absence of predators. Foraging activity was significantly higher during the night than the day and was higher in turbid environments versus clear environments, indicating that decreased turbidity alone, may in part drive anti-predator behaviour and constrain foraging activity. Future work exploring the interconnectedness of environmental cues and behavioural changes will help us better understand the many ways rapidly changing environments can influence behavioural ecological processes.