Adaptive aggregation behavior of the scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in response to predation risk

Adaptive aggregation behavior of the scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in response to predation risk | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Adaptive aggregation behavior of the scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in response to predation risk Koji Miyoshi, Chitose Yamazaki, Shinya Hirao, Yuya Makiguchi This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6588681/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in Marine Biology → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Aggregation behavior in scallops, beyond known individual escape responses, may serve as an active defense against predators. We investigated this possibility in the scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis facing the predatory sea star Distolasterias nipon. Using controlled tank experiments with varying scallop and predator densities, we analyzed individual spatial distribution, activity levels, and aggregation dynamics via automated video tracking and Bayesian statistical modeling. Results revealed density-dependent baseline spatial patterns (uniform spacing and aggregation at low and high densities, respectively) While predator presence and higher scallop density generally increased aggregation frequency, aggregation "maintenance" was distinctly controlled by different mechanisms: group size strongly promoted maintenance duration, whereas the number of predators destabilized aggregations. Complexity emerged at high density, where a single predator paradoxically induced uniform spacing, potentially via disturbance-driven dispersion, while two predators induced strong aggregation. A key finding supporting active strategic adjustment was a non-linear relationship between predator disturbance level and aggregation maintenance duration, peaking at moderate disturbance levels ("optimal disturbance hypothesis"). Furthermore, a separate experiment confirmed that scallops possess the ability to recognize and approach conspecifics via chemical signals under predation risk, suggesting a foundation for active aggregation mechanisms. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that scallop aggregation is not merely passive assembly but a complex and active adaptive strategy, dynamically adjusted based on assessments of conspecific density, group dynamics, and nuanced predation risk (presence, number, and disturbance levels). This study enhances our understanding of complex bivalve behavior and predator-prey interactions, offering new insights for resource management. Scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis aggregation escape behavior conspecific recognition predator-prey relationships Full Text Supplementary Files 6.SupplementaryFigurecaptions.pdf renamed74264.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Sep, 2025 Read the published version in Marine Biology → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 10 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 09 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 05 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 04 May, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6588681","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":454221768,"identity":"7ffca119-712b-45df-946e-11a2a6b52a6a","order_by":0,"name":"Koji 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A key finding supporting active strategic adjustment was a non-linear relationship between predator disturbance level and aggregation maintenance duration, peaking at moderate disturbance levels (\"optimal disturbance hypothesis\"). Furthermore, a separate experiment confirmed that scallops possess the ability to recognize and approach conspecifics via chemical signals under predation risk, suggesting a foundation for active aggregation mechanisms. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that scallop aggregation is not merely passive assembly but a complex and active adaptive strategy, dynamically adjusted based on assessments of conspecific density, group dynamics, and nuanced predation risk (presence, number, and disturbance levels). 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