Behavioral types as predictors of survival in Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Studies of the fitness consequences of behavioral types often focus on isolated behaviors and ignore potential across-context correlations that may affect fitness. This approach leads to heterogeneous results across studies because correlations themselves may be adaptive in populations under significant predation pressure. We quantified suites of behaviors in 4 different contexts and identified a consistent behavioral syndrome in a population of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We then measured fitness effects of the correlated behaviors that made up this syndrome and found that more active, bold, and exploratory individuals survived longer when exposed to a predator. Behavioral syndromes may, therefore, be advantageous in populations under significant predation risk if an individual’s behavior in the presence of a predator is an honest signal of escape abilities. Interestingly, we also found a significant effect of the individual cichlids (Aequidens pulcher) used as predators in our experiments. We suggest that future studies should test whether interactions between predator behavior and prey behavioral types maintain behavioral variation.