Predator presence alters prey diet composition but not quantity in tide pool fish interactions

Ben Gilby; I R Tibbetts; L Van Bourg; L Delisle; D D Burfeind

doi:10.1007/s10750-017-3133-3

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Predator presence alters prey diet composition but not quantity in tide pool fish interactions

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Predator presence alters prey diet composition but not quantity in tide pool fish interactions

Ben Gilby, I R Tibbetts, L Van Bourg, L Delisle and D D Burfeind

Hydrobiologia, Vol.795(1), pp.257-265

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3133-3

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Abstract

competition

favonigobius

meiofauna

predation

predator-prey relationship

sillago

Understanding species interactions and how they change in the presence of a predator or competitor is a fundamental goal for ecologists. We tested such interactions in an intertidal soft sediment pool system where both the sand goby Favonigobius lentiginosus and post-settlement whiting Sillago spp. consume meiofaunal prey, but F. lentiginosus also consumes Sillago spp. We quantified changes in fish gut content volumes and composition (i.e. meiofaunal group diversity and abundances) in response to the presence of a predator/prey and to different fish densities (two, four or six total individuals) in experimental aquaria. We found no significant density-dependent effects on either the predator or prey species, likely due to meiofaunal prey oversupply; however, the diet composition of the prey species Sillago spp. changed significantly in the presence of their potential predator. We conclude that lower consumption of meiofaunal amphipods in the presence of gobies suggests that whiting perhaps maintain their gut fullness by preferentially targeting larger amphipods.

Details

Title: Predator presence alters prey diet composition but not quantity in tide pool fish interactions
Authors: Ben Gilby (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
I R Tibbetts (Author) - University of Queensland
L Van Bourg (Author) - University of California, United States
L Delisle (Author) - University of California Education Abroad Program, United States
D D Burfeind (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Hydrobiologia, Vol.795(1), pp.257-265
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1007/s10750-017-3133-3
ISSN: 0018-8158
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451089202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology

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