Preface

Abstract

The potential consequences of a predator-prey interaction are probably more serious, especially for the prey, than are the consequences of most competitive or parasite-host interactions. For this reason, the adaptations and tactics that prey show to the foraging manoeuvers of their predators, and the counteradaptations of their predators, are often pronounced and even spectacular. Predation may in fact be a critical determinant of both the behavior of individuals and of the functional and taxonomic composition of fish assemblages. This possibility was a major factor leading to the organization of the Behavioral Tactics symposium. The obvious necessity of feeding, the wealth of information available on food and energy budgets of animals both in the laboratory and field, and the approach of optimality arguments to foraging situations have all been contributing factors leading to the considerable emphasis on feeding behavior in fishes.