Researchers presented a simulation of virtual prey to real fish predators and programmed individuals to act as leaders and followers, finding that although prey leading others were at an increased risk of predation, being part of a group was safer than being isolated, as predators were more likely to attack isolated individuals; the findings suggest that prey positioned in the middle of fish schools have the safest position, and prey are more secure from predators when they band together than when they swim alone.
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Article #18-16323: "Predators attacking virtual prey reveal the costs and benefits of leadership," by Christos C. Ioannou, Florence Rocque, James E. Herbert-Read, Callum Duffield, and Josh A. Firth.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christos C. Ioannou, University of Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM; tel: 07969303341; email: < bzcci@bris.ac.uk >
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences