Contrasting effects of functionally distinct tadpole species on nutrient cycling and litter breakdown in a tropical rainforest stream

Ramamonjisoa, Noelikanto; Natuhara, Yosihiro

doi:10.1111/fwb.13053

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…These roles are poorly understood and merit continued study of transport/deposition processes, food web significance, and nutrient turnover [13,67]. Studies of egestion will increase scientific understanding of animals' diverse roles in ecosystems, expanding from a historic emphasis on dissolved nutrients to particulate wastes that are linked with animal phylogeny, body size, and other traits and are potentially important within many ecosystem processes [2,80,81].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egestion Versus Excretion: A Meta-Analysis Examining Nutrient Release Rates and Ratios across Freshwater Fauna

Halvorson

Atkinson

2019

Diversity

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In aquatic settings, animals directly affect ecosystem functions through excretion of dissolved nutrients. However, the comparative role of egestion as an animal-mediated nutrient flux remains understudied. We conducted a literature survey and meta-analysis to directly compare nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N:P of egestion compared to excretion rates and ratios across freshwater animals. Synthesizing 215 datasets across 47 animal species (all primary consumers or omnivores), we show that the total N and P egestion rates exceed inorganic N and P excretion rates but not total N and P excretion rates, and that proportions of P egested compared to excreted depend on body size and animal phylum. We further show that variance of egestion rates is often greater than excretion rates, reflecting greater inter-individual and temporal variation of egestion as a nutrient flux in comparison to excretion. At phylogenetic levels, our analysis suggests that Mollusca exhibit the greatest rates and variance of P egestion relative to excretion, especially compared to Arthropoda. Given quantitative evidence of egestion as a dominant and dynamic animal-mediated nutrient flux, our synthesis demonstrates the need for additional studies of rates, stoichiometry, and roles of animal egestion in aquatic settings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egestion Versus Excretion: A Meta-Analysis Examining Nutrient Release Rates and Ratios across Freshwater Fauna

Halvorson

Atkinson

2019

Diversity

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“…Tadpoles play essential roles in tropical streams not only as prey but also producing substantial amounts of egested particles (still understudied) that are critical nutrient sources in streams (Ramamonjisoa & Natuhara 2018, Iwai et al 2009, and so they act as abiotic and biotic elements of aquatic communities . Additional comparison between lentic and lotic habitats could show distinct outcomes as consumers may have different responses to litter in ponds and wetlands that retain litter for extended periods compared to streams (Melo et al 2017.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the presence of litter on the composition of stream tadpoles' assemblages in an Atlantic Forest remnant of southeastern Brazil

et al. 2021

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Many tropical anurans use forest streams to deposit their eggs, but resource use and selection by tadpoles in tropical forests are poorly known. In the present research, we hypothesized that leaf litter and water depth affect tadpole assemblages due to adult habitat selection for oviposition and/or microhabitat selection by tadpoles. Fieldwork was carried out in the Estação Biológica de Boracéia, an Atlantic Rainforest reserve in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. We sampled tadpoles during a year using 40 double-entry funnel-traps distributed along four streams in the forest. Only leaf litter effects are species dependent. We discussed that habitat structure significance depends on the morphological and ecological adaptation to forage and avoid competition within the tadpole community.

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“…As tadpoles grow and metamorphose, their body nutrient content composition (C:N:P) changes, representing the transition from emergent aquatic nutrient subsidies to terrestrial ecosystems (Cortés-Gomez et al, 2015;Whiles et al, 2006). As tadpoles tend to occur in high densities, this can accelerate leaf decomposition and provide a substantial amount of nutrients to the ecosystem from continuous feeding and excretion (Connelly et al, 2011;Iwai et al, 2009;Ramamonjisoa & Natuhara, 2018;Ramamonjisoa, Rakotonoely, & Natuhara, 2016;Wells, 2007).…”

Section: Energy Flow Through Trophic Levelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bioturbation refers to the influence of organisms on the physical, chemical, and ecological dynamics of the benthic habitat (Cortés-Gomez et al, 2015). Tadpoles can play an important role as bioturbators, directly or indirectly modifying the distribution of sediments, stimulating microbial activity and nutrient uptake, and promoting trophic dynamics and energy flow in the system (Flecker, Feifarek, & Taylor, 1999;Ramamonjisoa & Natuhara, 2018;Ranvestel et al, 2004). Some species of tadpoles, such as Pseudis paradoxa and…”

Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

et al. 2019

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Tadpoles are diverse and abundant consumers, and knowledge of their feeding ecology and trophic status is essential in understanding their functional roles within aquatic habitats. Here we revisit Altig, Whiles, and Taylor (2007)'s paper, which highlighted the knowledge gaps in tadpole feeding ecology and the application of modern techniques, such as stable isotope and fatty acid analyses to better quantify dominant food resources, food assimilation, and the trophic status of tadpoles. We reviewed the ecological studies that have been published since 2007 that used stable isotopes and fatty acid analyses, also metagenomics and ecological stoichiometry analyses. We describe the ecological roles of tadpoles in freshwater ecosystems and identify knowledge gaps regarding tadpole feeding ecology across biogeographic regions. Worldwide declines in amphibian abundance and diversity create an urgent need to document their feeding ecology and trophic status. As consumers, tadpoles play important functional roles in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and bioturbation. They also exhibit context‐dependent trophic plasticity in response to abiotic and biotic gradients, which complicates understanding of their trophic roles. Most studies of tadpole trophic ecology have been conducted primarily on species from the families Ranidae, Bufonidae, and Hylidae from Neotropic and Nearctic regions, while species in tropical regions such as Africa and Asia lack ecological information for tadpoles. There continues to be a need for studies of tadpole diets and/or trophic ecology in Africa and Southeast Asia regions where species endemism is threated by the growth of anthropogenic activities. The majority of studies have focused on trophic ecology of tadpoles from the perspective of single species or at relatively small spatial and temporal scales. Studies that address questions from an ecosystem perspective were scarce, but are critical for conservation and management. Future research should aim to address the role of tadpoles as consumers across broader spatiotemporal scales.

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Contrasting effects of functionally distinct tadpole species on nutrient cycling and litter breakdown in a tropical rainforest stream

Cited by 16 publications

References 68 publications

Egestion Versus Excretion: A Meta-Analysis Examining Nutrient Release Rates and Ratios across Freshwater Fauna

Egestion Versus Excretion: A Meta-Analysis Examining Nutrient Release Rates and Ratios across Freshwater Fauna

Effects of the presence of litter on the composition of stream tadpoles' assemblages in an Atlantic Forest remnant of southeastern Brazil

Revisiting “what do tadpoles really eat?” A 10‐year perspective

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