Social information use by predators: expanding the information ecology of prey defences

Social information use is well documented across the animal kingdom, but how it influences ecological and evolutionary processes only just beginning to be investigated. Here we evaluate social transmission may influence species interactions potentially change or create novel selection pressures by focusing on predator–prey interactions, one of best studied examples coevolution. There extensive research into prey can avoid predators, little synthesis among predators outcome different stages predation. review evidence that during 1) encounter, 2) detection, 3) identification, 4) approach, 5) subjugation 6) consumption. We this predation sequence framework implications current theoretical predictions about dynamics, find has potential alter for defences at each stage. This suggests considering help answer open questions coevolution, also predict populations communities respond rapid human-induced changes in environment.