Resource partitioning between the invasive crayfish <i>Faxonius rusticus</i> (Girard 1852) and the native <i>F. virilis</i> (Hagen 1870) affected by competitor presence and individual personality (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae)

Abstract Native and invasive conger competition commonly occurs due to invasive species being the superior competitor within overlapping niches. Congener competition dynamics can be influenced by factors such as species as well as size and personality of both species. Inclusion of personality as a pertinent factor when attempting to understand native and invasive competition dynamics is becoming more common in conservation ecology. We examined how personality (bold/shy spectrum), size, and sensory cues impacts sheltering, foraging, and consumption behaviors of Faxonius rusticus (Girard 1852) (invasive range) and F. virilis (Hagen 1870) (native range). Artificial flow through systems allowed for a paired study to determine the impact of non-visual cues from a donor crayfish as well as the intrinsic factors (size, species, and personality) of the focal crayfish-impact resource usage. Findings suggest that the non-visual cues from a congener increase the time the focal crayfish spend within the shelter. Higher boldness and a smaller carapace length increase both the time spent foraging and food consumed. Variation in the factors that alter resource usage suggest that competition for resources and subsequent alterations of behaviors between congeners and future impacts of competition need to account for the resource themselves as well as the species involved.