Endemic predators, invasive prey and native diversity

Wanger, Thomas Cherico; Wielgoss, Arno; Motzke, Iris; Clough, Yann; Brook, Barry W.; Sodhi, Navjot S.; Tscharntke, Teja

doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.1512

Cited by 46 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…If these factors limit the number of locally coexisting species (27,28), predators may inhibit nonnative species establishment (29), and thereby constrain the geographic ranges of prey (30). Piscivorous predators are ubiquitous in coral reefs.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Luiz

Allen

Robertson

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

163

234

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Most marine organisms disperse via ocean currents as larvae, so it is often assumed that larval-stage duration is the primary determinant of geographic range size. However, empirical tests of this relationship have yielded mixed results, and alternative hypotheses have rarely been considered. Here we assess the relative influence of adult and larval-traits on geographic range size using a global dataset encompassing 590 species of tropical reef fishes in 47 families, the largest compilation of such data to date for any marine group. We analyze this database using linear mixed-effect models to control for phylogeny and geographical limits on range size. Our analysis indicates that three adult traits likely to affect the capacity of new colonizers to survive and establish reproductive populations (body size, schooling behavior, and nocturnal activity) are equal or better predictors of geographic range size than pelagic larval duration. We conclude that adult life-history traits that affect the postdispersal persistence of new populations are primary determinants of successful range extension and, consequently, of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes.eographic range size is a fundamental biogeographic variable that, among other effects (1, 2), strongly influences a species susceptibility to extinction (3, 4). Because most marine organisms disperse as larval propagules transported by ocean currents, it is often assumed that the duration of the larval stage is the fundamental determinant of their dispersal ability, and hence their range size (5, 6). Tropical reef fishes have geographic ranges that vary greatly in size, from a few square kilometers around tiny isolated islands to entire ocean basins (7-9). Given that pelagic larval duration (PLD) also varies greatly among such fishes, from only a few days to many months, the effects of PLD on dispersal potential became an early focus of investigation on general determinants of range size among those fishes and other near-shore marine species (10-12). However, although it has become evident that PLD is unlikely to be a primary determinant of geographic range size (13-16), alternative hypotheses have only recently begun to be considered (9).To expand its geographic range, a species must successfully colonize new areas following the dispersal of its propagules (17). Consequently, attributes other than pelagic dispersal capacity may largely determine how widely reef fishes are distributed geographically (9). Here we assess the relative importance of seven adult and larval traits in influencing geographic range sizes of tropical reef fishes at the global scale. We do so using data from 590 species of tropical reef fishes in 47 families, the largest compilation of such data currently available for any marine group (Dataset S1). Traits directly linked to larval dispersal potential include PLD and spawning mode. Adult traits include maximum body size, schooling behavior, nocturnal activity, use of multiple habitat types, and adult depth range. The adultbiology tra...

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Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Luiz

Allen

Robertson

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

163

234

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…the enemy release hypothesis (Maron and Vila 2001;Keane and Crawley 2002;Torchin et al 2003), but native predators can also consume non-native species because these lack effective defences to new predators (Colautti et al 2004;Wanger et al 2011). Predation can have a dramatic effect on fouling community development when large predators (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation contributes to invasion resistance of benthic communities against the non-indigenous tunicate Ciona intestinalis

2011

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Marine anthropogenic structures offer novel niches for introduced species but their role in the subsequent invasion to natural habitats remains unknown. Upon arrival in new environments, invaders must overcome biotic resistance from native competitors and predators if they are to establish successfully in natural habitats. We tested the hypotheses that (1) artificial structures (e.g., suspended aquaculture installations) present a niche opportunity for invasive species by providing a refuge from native benthic predators, and (2) native predators in natural benthic habitats suppress successful colonization by invaders. A recruitment experiment showed that the ascidians Pyura chilensis (native) and Ciona intestinalis (invasive) could recruit to both suspended artificial structures and natural benthic habitats. Ciona, however, was only able to establish adult populations on artificial structures. In natural benthic habitats Ciona only recruited and grew in predator-exclusion cages, because without this protection predation prevented its establishment. In predation experiments, native invertebrate and fish predators removed all invasive ascidians (recruits and adults) in benthic habitats, which contrasted with the high adult survival of the native ascidian P. chilensis. The refuge from a number of benthic predators facilitates the establishment of large populations of invasive species on suspended structures. We present a conceptual model of the invasion processes that includes the anthropogenic structures as a transitional stepping-stone that facilitates invasion by enhancing and prolonging propagule supply to surrounding natural communities. Those established invaders might then overcome biotic resistance during time periods when populations of consumers or competitors are weakened by natural or anthropogenic disturbances. Our results suggest that the conservation of natural habitats with a high diversity of native predators can be an effective means to prevent the spread of invasive species growing on suspended structures.

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“…In turn, invading species can negatively affect local species through competition for resources or territory, predation, or hybridization (e.g., Juliano 1998, Mooney and Cleland 2001, Gurnell et al 2004, Mitchell and Banks 2005, Caut et al 2008. However, in some cases, invasive species have a positive impact on local taxa, when invaders increase food resources (Carroll et al 1998, Solarz and Newman 2001, Werner et al 2005, Wanger et al 2011 or eradicate the main predators of native species (e.g., Doody et al 2006). As a consequence, invasive species can modify trophic niches and induce new adaptive traits in predators (Carlsson et al 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduced freshwater blenny influences the diet and body condition of the invasive dice snake in Lake Geneva

Dubey¹,

Christe²,

Formenti³

et al. 2015

J Wildl Manag

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Non-indigenous species can have strong impacts on biodiversity by affecting trophic relationships in their new environments. The piscivorous dice snake (Natrix tessellata) has been introduced to Geneva Lake, western Switzerland, where the endangered viperine snake (Natrix maura) is native. Local, dramatic declines in the viperine snake population might be associated with the appearance of the dice snake through dietary overlap between these 2 species, which mainly feed on bullhead (Cottus gobio). In response to this decline, a control program for dice snake was implemented in 2007 to reduce numbers of this introduced snake. In 2010, a new species of fish, the freshwater blenny (Salaria fluviatilis), which shares the same habitat as the bullhead, was introduced into Lake Geneva and has since reached high densities. We determined the impact of freshwater blenny on diet composition and body condition of dice snakes. In addition, we tested for effects of the control program on the body condition of dice snakes and viperine snakes. We collected 294 dice snakes between 2007 and 2013. Based on morphology and a genetic marker (cytochrome b gene), we determined the fish species contained in these snakes' stomachs. We found a drastic switch in dice snake diet following the arrival of freshwater blenny, as consumption of bullhead declined by 68% and was replaced by the blenny. In addition, the body condition of dice snakes increased significantly after the arrival of freshwater blenny. The body condition of both snake species was positively correlated with the number of dice snakes removed from the study area. This finding has important implications concerning the conservation of the endangered viperine snake, and suggests that the control program of dice snakes should be continued. Ó 2014 The Wildlife Society.

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Endemic predators, invasive prey and native diversity

Cited by 46 publications

References 27 publications

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Predation contributes to invasion resistance of benthic communities against the non-indigenous tunicate Ciona intestinalis

Introduced freshwater blenny influences the diet and body condition of the invasive dice snake in Lake Geneva

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