Comparing physiological signatures of synaptopathic noise exposure and carboplatin-induced inner-hair-cell dysfunction in chinchillas.

Predators manage prey populations not only through direct consumption but also via non‐consumptive effects (NCEs), where the perception of predation risk alters prey behavior, physiology, and life‐history strategies., , , Such risk‐induced responses can substantially suppress prey development and reproduction, often reducing population performance to an extent comparable to or even exceeding that caused by direct predation., , , , In agricultural systems, NCEs are increasingly recognized as a critical but underutilized component of biological control,, , , , because predator presence alone can usually reduce pest damage by limiting feeding, slowing development, and constraining reproductive output., , , , , , Prey rely on diverse sensory cues, including chemical, tactile, and visual signals, to assess predation risk and adjust their behaviors and physiology accordingly., , , , Among these, chemical cues are particularly important in mediating NCEs across taxa, as they persist in the environment and convey information about predator identity, proximity, and recent feeding history., , , , , Prey responses to predator‐derived cues are typically graded rather than binary (i.e., presence . absence), scaling with cue concentration or intensity and allowing prey to estimate the magnitude and immediacy of threat., , , , , Stronger chemical cues may consistently elicit more pronounced antipredator responses, demonstrating that behavioral adjustments scale with cue intensity and animals are capable of integrating environmental information to evaluate threat levels., However, such cue‐dependent risk assessment may induce trade‐offs between predator avoidance and investment in growth, reproduction, and survivorship, imposing substantial physiological and demographic costs., , , , Spider mites in the genus (Acari: Tetranychidae) are among the most destructive arthropod pests in agricultural and horticultural systems worldwide, causing substantial crop losses due to their high fecundity, short generation time, rapid population growth, and frequent evolution of acaricide resistance., , , Among various ., the cosmopolitan invasive spider mite Zacher is an increasingly important agricultural pest, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and capable of year‐round reproduction due to the absence of diapause., Its high fecundity, short generation time, and ability to disrupt host‐plant physiology make it a persistent threat in agroecosystems., , Biological control using predatory mites, particularly phytoseiid species such as Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae), forms a cornerstone of integrated pest management against spider mites., Although . may readily evolve resistance to acaricides,, ,
remains highly susceptible to predation by , highlighting the importance of biological control for sustainable management.