A comparison of the leaf shredding ability and influence on microbial films of surface and cave forms of Gammarus minus Say

Gammarus minus has both cave and surface forms that differ considerably in their morphology. We experimentally compared the ability of these two forms to consume leaves and influence the activity of the microbial films associated with leaves. Both forms of G. minus were effective leaf shredders, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2007-09, Vol.589 (1), p.199-205
Main Authors: KINSEY, Jennifer, COONEY, Timothy J, SIMON, Kevin S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic crustaceans
Biological and medical sciences
Caves
Conversion
Crustacea
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gammarus minus
General aspects
Invertebrates
Leaves
Microorganisms
Office equipment
Respiration
Shredding
Synecology
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Summary:Gammarus minus has both cave and surface forms that differ considerably in their morphology. We experimentally compared the ability of these two forms to consume leaves and influence the activity of the microbial films associated with leaves. Both forms of G. minus were effective leaf shredders, and were equally efficient at converting leaves to small particles. We found little relationship between amphipod size and the rate at which they shredded leaves. Both forms of G. minus stimulated the respiration rate of microbes associated with leaves by 32–52%. Cave forms of G. minus had a 15% greater stimulatory effect on microbial respiration. The stimulatory effect of G. minus on microbial respiration is evident in cave streams as well as in the laboratory. It appears that G. minus plays a particularly important role in cave systems by converting leaves to fine particles and stimulating microbial films which are important foods for many cave animals.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/s10750-007-0739-x