A reassessment of the predation risk allocation hypothesis : a comment on Lima and Bednekoff

Abstract

The predation risk allocation hypothesis was developed to provide testable predictions about the allocation of antipredator behavior between periods of high or low risk that alternate through time. This hypothesis has garnered considerable attention and has been highly influential. Here, we highlight some underappreciated assumptions of the model and identify constraints faced by foragers that may act to limit the generality of the model. We argue that the ecological relevance of the hypothesis may not be as broad as first thought and that cognitive constraints may impair the ability of foragers to react optimally to temporal changes in predation risk.