Differential effects of Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) on two fish-tolerant species of tadpoles (Anaxyrus americanus and Lithobates catesbeianus)

Legacy effects in temporally separated tadpole species are not mediated by invasive Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

“…However, other experiments have demonstrated that the consumption of algal resources by early tadpoles can lead to reduced availability of those resources to later tadpoles (e.g., Hernandez & Chalcraft, 2012;Morin et al, 1990;Rowland et al, 2017). In addition, I have found reduced periphyton levels in mesocosms with tadpoles, as well as a reduction in periphyton with higher densities of tadpoles, in other similar experiments (Smith et al, 2006(Smith et al, , 2016Smith & Burgett, 2012; G. R. Smith, M. Smyk, M. Jones, and J. Hollis, unpublished data). Wilbur and Alford (1985) also suggested that persistent effects of A. americanus on later tadpoles were likely due to an increase in the prevalence of lower-quality algae species as a result of consumption by the A. americanus tadpoles.…”

“…Local A. americanus tadpoles did not alter activity in the presence of G. affinis (Smith et al, 2008 , 2009 ). However, G. affinis had a negative effect on the survivorship and size at metamorphosis of A. americanus in a mesocosm experiment (Smith & Dibble, 2012 ), as did Bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) (Smith et al, 2016 ), suggesting they are susceptible to fish predators. Local R. catesbeiana did not alter their activity in the presence of G. affinis in laboratory experiments (Smith et al, 2008 , 2009 ).…”

“…Local R. catesbeiana did not alter their activity in the presence of G. affinis in laboratory experiments (Smith et al, 2008 , 2009 ). I have not previously conducted experiments on the effects of G. affinis on local R. catesbeiana survivorship; but in a mesocosm experiment, another potential fish predator, L. macrochirus , had no effect on the survivorship of local R. catesbeiana tadpoles (Smith et al, 2016 ). Based on the results of these previous studies, I predicted that the presence of A. americanus tadpoles would reduce the amount of resources (e.g., periphyton) available to the R. catesbeiana and thus the R. catesbeiana would have lower growth and survivorship in mesocosms with increasing numbers of A. americanus tadpoles (i.e., legacy effects).…”

Biodiversity Monitoring of a Riparian Wetland in a Mixed-Use Watershed in the Central Appalachians, USA, before Restoration

“…Species such as American bullfrogs, leopard frogs, and green frogs were observed (anecdotally and bycatch during fish surveys) in the stream channel throughout the year. It is possible they relocated to shallow flooded areas in adjacent pastures at night to minimize predation because of fish being present in Ruby Run; however, most fish observed in Ruby Run may have been too small to prey on adult frogs (fish size range: 7-855 mm; mean length ± SE: 76.83 ± 2.12 mm; unpublished data), and these species are tolerant of fish presence [86,87]. Babbitt et al [88] compared tadpole abundance in pasture, prairie, rangeland, and wooded wetlands and found pasture wetland abundance to be lowest, likely due to the lack of proximity between breeding and upland habitat.…”

Costly defense in a fluctuating environment—sensitivity of annual Nothobranchius fishes to predator kairomones

“…Small planktonic crustaceans and insects typically tend to decrease predator-encounter rate by slowing down growth (Dawidowicz & Wielanier, 2004;Gliwicz & Maszczyk, 2007;Pijanowska, Dawidowicz, Howe, & Weider, 2006), perhaps as a consequence of reduced foraging activity (Jourdan et al, 2016). In contrast, size reduction is less common in vertebrates (Barry, 2014;Smith, Burgett, Temple, & Sparks, 2016) as they can more easily escape predation by growing into a size refuge (e.g., through exceeding the predator's prey size range or through metamorphosis). As a result, growth is more often accelerated in vertebrates in the presence of predators (Costa & Kishida, 2015;Mogali, Saidapur, & Shanbhag, 2016).…”