Evolution of forager responses to inducible defenses

Most theoretical and empirical investigations of inducible defenses have focused on identifying conditions that favor the evolution of inducibility by the prey species. These analyses outline the essential consequences of frequency-dependent benefits of deploying the defense, degrees of predictability of future predation, and existence of multiple predators. However, they say little about the ecological effects of inducible defenses on the foragers that create the prey's selective environment, or how long-term revolutionary dynamics might shape foragers' strategies. Because of the tight coupling between forager and prey, such a forager-based perspective is essential both to understand the evolution of inducible defense systems and to assess the community-level effects of inducible defenses.