Diversity and functional groups of copepods as a tool for interpreting trophic relationships and ecosystem functioning in estuaries

We examined trophic relationships in estuarine planktonic food webs by focusing on the assemblages and functional groups of copepods and their effects on prey and predator. We also studied the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in estuaries using different taxonomic and func...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 2020-12, Vol.162, p.105190-105190, Article 105190
Main Authors: Araujo, Adriana V., Dias, Cristina O., Bonecker, Sérgio L.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic crustaceans
Biodiversity
Brackishwater environment
Copepoda
Diversity indices
Ecological function
Ecosystems
Estuaries
Estuarine ecosystems
Food chains
Food webs
Functional groups
Functional traits
Mesozooplankton
Plankton
Planktonic food web
Predators
Prey
Southeast Brazil
Taxonomy
Trophic relationships
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Summary:We examined trophic relationships in estuarine planktonic food webs by focusing on the assemblages and functional groups of copepods and their effects on prey and predator. We also studied the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in estuaries using different taxonomic and functional diversity indices of copepod assemblages and copepod biomass as a proxy of ecosystem functioning. We collected samples every 2 months over a 2-year period in four Brazilian estuaries. Taxonomic diversity indices showed a positive and negative relationship with chaetognath densities and ecosystem functioning, respectively. The functional indices were negatively related to the effect of predator diversity on prey. Different functional groups of copepods were positively correlated with chaetognath density, consistent with their generalist feeding habits. Thus, multifaceted approaches that use different indices and functional groups are recommended to provide a more realistic view of the trophic relationships and ecosystem functioning in estuaries. •Trophic relationships in estuarine planktonic food webs focusing on copepods.•Effect of copepods on prey and predator.•Negative effect of taxonomic diversity indices in ecosystem functioning.•Functional diversity indices related to the effect of predator diversity on prey.•Functional groups of copepods positively correlated with chaetognath densities.
ISSN:0141-1136
1879-0291
DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105190