Does predator abundance influence species diversity of equilibrium macroinvertebrate assemblages in spring fens?

Zhai, Marie; Syrovátka, Vít; Bojková, Jindřiška; Šorfová, Vanda; Polášková, Vendula; Schenková, Jana; Horsák, Michal

doi:10.1111/fwb.13485

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(99 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We detected only a tendency in the number of soft‐bodied taxa to decrease with the increasing abundance of G. fossarum ( p = .064). This observation follows the findings that predation usually affects more strongly prey abundance than the number of species (Thorp & Cothran, 1984; Zhai et al, 2020). This decrease in the number of taxa was probably primarily mediated by the decrease in abundance (Gotelli & Colwell, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…For molluscs, the link between their usual dominance in mineral-rich springs and their resistance against invertebrate predation has been considered earlier (Glazier, 1991;Zhai et al, 2020). However, at a very high abundance of adult G. fossarum (i.e., 100-140 individuals), even the abundance and number of hard-bodied taxa seem to be limited by G. fossarum abundance at our study site (Figure 2-down).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…G. fossarum may mechanically disturb other invertebrates, lowering their feeding activity and population growth, as shown for other invertebrate consumers with active searching movement (Kohler, 1992). Such an effect of non-aggressive interference between G. fossarum and taxa resistant to predation has not been confirmed earlier in the spring fens, although assumed (Zhai et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Biotic interactions likely structure assemblages in aquatic habitats with stable environmental conditions (Peckarsky, Fraissinet, Penton, & Conclin Junior, 1990), such as groundwater‐dependent habitats (Barquín & Death, 2004; Glazier, 1991), where groundwater effectively buffers fluctuations in water level and temperature (Horsák et al, 2018). If vertebrate predators are absent, top‐down control is performed by invertebrates, including the abundant amphipods (Barquín & Death, 2004, Syrovátka et al, 2020; Zhai et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In laboratory experiments, however, G. fossarum turned out to be an effective predator (Kalčíková et al, 2014; Syrovátka et al, 2020), although less aggressive compared to some other gammarid species (Bacela‐Spychalska & van der Velde, 2012). Evidence on the effect of predation by G. fossarum in natural assemblages is probably difficult to obtain in natural assemblages because they are composed of diverse taxa and their responses to the environment and biotic interactions are complex (Zhai et al, 2020). Nevertheless, for spring fen communities not previously exposed to G. fossarum , a significant decrease in abundance of vulnerable (i.e., soft‐bodied, slow‐moving) prey has been demonstrated after introduction of G. fossarum in a field cage experiment (Syrovátka et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Does predation by the omnivorous Gammarus fossarum affect small‐scale distribution of macroinvertebrates? A case study from a calcareous spring fen

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Our understanding of functional roles of aquatic invertebrate taxa is still limited even for common species, although being crucial for explanations of patterns observed in natural communities. As only recently shown, the common native European amphipod Gammarus fossarum, traditionally treated as a shredder of leaf litter, shows predatory behaviour which may influence the composition of invertebrate assemblages. However, the evidence for the predation effect of G. fossarum on natural assemblages at the within-site scale is still lacking. Therefore, we collected 50 quantitative samples of macroinvertebrates along with the important environmental variables within a heterogeneous calcareous spring fen. Using linear regression, we explored the relationships between the abundance of G. fossarum (separately adult and juvenile) and the abundance and number of taxa for two groups of invertebrates differing in their susceptibility to predation, (a) hard-bodied taxa with protective body structures, such as shells and calcified cuticles, and (b) soft-bodied taxa without those protections. We separated the effect of G. fossarum from that of environmental conditions using variation partitioning. Our results showed that only the abundance of soft-bodied invertebrates was negatively correlated with the abundance of adult G. fossarum. However, the proportion of variation explained purely by predation (5.5%) was much lower than the one explained by the environment (33.8%). Both G. fossarum and soft-bodied invertebrates were positively associated with organic matter. Although hard-bodied invertebrates consisted of only a few taxa, they were more numerous than soft-bodied invertebrates, and only environmental control was confirmed for them. Despite the limitations of the used correlative approach, we conclude that G. fossarum can significantly control the abundance of vulnerable taxa in natural assemblages. Its predatory effects, however, may be relatively low and easily confounded by the effect of environmental control.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Does predation by the omnivorous Gammarus fossarum affect small‐scale distribution of macroinvertebrates? A case study from a calcareous spring fen

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Are springs hotspots of benthic invertebrate diversity? Biodiversity and conservation priority of rheocrene springs in the karst landscape

Cíbik

Beracko

Bulánková

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1. Springs are perceived by human society as essential sources of drinking water, but on the other hand they represent peculiar and vulnerable ecosystems. They differ from other watercourses in the relatively high stability of their physicochemical conditions. As a result, springs represent ecosystems with an insular character, usually inhabited by specific aquatic communities.2. Although springs are generally considered species-rich habitats across the world, they have been outside scientific and conservation interest in the karst mountains of the Western Carpathians. This study, therefore, examined the diversity of spring benthic macroinvertebrates and compared it with that of other watercourses of the Western Carpathian riverine landscape.3. The results of the study showed that, in contrast to rhithral streams, individual karst springs often had low species richness, and therefore they cannot be considered biodiversity hotspots. However, their metacommunity diversity is characterized by high taxonomic turnover, resulting in high gamma diversity. This means that the individual springs often harbour unique macroinvertebrate communities, so they are worthy of protection.4. However, the present level of spring habitat protection is insufficient as even springs located in protected areas are often captured as sources of drinking water and hydromorphologically or otherwise disturbed. A simple method to evaluate the spring conservation priority (CP) was developed to find a better trade-off between their use and protection. It uses the number of Red List, endemic and crenal taxa, as well as the total species richness at each site. Based on this classification method, 16% of the springs studied reached very high CP, 39% high CP, 33% moderate CP and 12% low CP.5. The proposed management recommendations based on findings of conservation priority of the Western Carpathian karst springs can significantly contribute to their more effective protection and the creation of a legislative framework relating to spring habitat protection in general.

show abstract

Behavioural drivers of ecotone exploitation: activity of groundwater animals in spring

Manenti

Galbiati

Lapadula

et al. 2023

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Border habitats such as interfaces and ecotones are promising research targets being likely areas of high species richness and genetic and phenotypic diversity. Springs are intriguing habitats exploited by both subterranean and surface species. For subterranean species, springs can provide higher trophic resources but can be risky in terms of predation and UV radiation, while for surface species, springs can be safer but less productive environments. We coupled field surveys and laboratory experiments to understand how predation risk and physical constraints, like light occurrence, affect spring exploitation by both a subterranean (Niphargus thuringius) and a surface crustacean amphipod species (Echinogammarus stammeri). From March to May 2021, we surveyed multiple springs and evaluated the activity (both during day and night) of the amphipods and of their predators. Furthermore, in a subterranean laboratory, we reared 80 N. thuringius and 80 E. stammeri under safe and risky conditions with both constant darkness and diel light variation assessing their activity and survival. Risky conditions were represented by the occurrence of meso-predators alone or coupled with the presence of a top predator. In the field, N. thuringius activity was negatively related to the density of predators, while laboratory experiments revealed a main role played by light treatments and night period. E. stammeri activity in the field was higher close to surface while in laboratory conditions decreased during time. In laboratory conditions, predation risk negatively affected survival of both amphipods. Our findings reveal that physical constraints play a key role in affecting the exploitation of ecotones and can mediate antipredator responses, thus providing selective pressures for the exploitation of border environments. Significance statement Understanding environmental pressures acting on ecotones is a key point to verify if new adaptations may occur at the border between two distinct habitats. Using both field and laboratory approaches, we show that, in springs, the behaviour of subterranean invertebrates is affected by surface physical constraints which can mediate the effects of predation risk. Behavioural strategies to avoid predation, such as nocturnal activity, may promote spring ecotone exploitation by groundwater animals, such as amphipod crustaceans.

show abstract

Does predator abundance influence species diversity of equilibrium macroinvertebrate assemblages in spring fens?

Cited by 8 publications

References 45 publications

Does predation by the omnivorous Gammarus fossarum affect small‐scale distribution of macroinvertebrates? A case study from a calcareous spring fen

Does predation by the omnivorous Gammarus fossarum affect small‐scale distribution of macroinvertebrates? A case study from a calcareous spring fen

Are springs hotspots of benthic invertebrate diversity? Biodiversity and conservation priority of rheocrene springs in the karst landscape

Behavioural drivers of ecotone exploitation: activity of groundwater animals in spring

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About