Adaptive navigation strategies in adversarial predator-prey contexts

Animal navigation has long been a central topic in behavioral biology. In predator-prey systems, both predators and prey must navigate strategically - predators to capture prey and prey to reach safety - each evolving to outsmart the other through coevolution. To uncover the essence of these navigation strategies, I have investigated behavioral mechanisms across taxa. In bats, my collaborators and I found that they integrate multiple sensory and flight tactics to keep erratically flying moths within detection range. In pigeons, we discovered that individuals anticipating drone attacks adjust their positions toward the rear within the flock. I will also introduce an experimental framework that enables controlled interactions between real animals and virtual agents driven by reactive motion control, allowing quantitative tests of navigation efficiency. Through this seminar, I aim to highlight how studies of predator-prey navigation can bridge biology and engineering, providing insights into adaptive decision-making in dynamic environments.