Non-consumptive effects of a predatory snail (Acanthina monodon) on a dominant habitat-forming mussel species (Perumytilus purpuratus)

• Published in: Marine environmental research 2022-03, Vol.175, p.105573-105573, Article 105573
• Main Authors: Riedemann-Saldivia, Bárbara, Büchner-Miranda, Joseline A., Salas-Yanquin, Luis P., Valdivia, Nelson, Catalán, Alexis M., Scrosati, Ricardo A., Chaparro, Oscar R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acanthina; Animals; Biodeposits; Clearance rate; Community structure; Ecosystem; Filter feeders; Food Chain; Habitats; Intertidal environment; Mollusks; Mussel behavior; Mussels; Mytilidae; Non-consumptive effects; Oxygen consumption; Oxygen consumption rate; Perumytilus purpuratus; Predators; Predatory Behavior - physiology; Prey; Seafood; Snails; Species; Trait-mediated indirect interactions
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105573

Predators can influence prey through direct consumption as well as through non-consumptive effects (NCEs). NCEs usually occur mediated by behavioral changes in the prey upon detection of predator cues. Such changes may involve reduction of feeding with a variety of physiological consequences. We evaluated NCEs from an intertidal predatory snail (Acanthina monodon) on a dominant habitat-forming mussel species (Perumytilus purpuratus) from the southeastern Pacific coast. We tested whether A. monodon exerts negative NCEs on clearance rate, oxygen consumption rate, biodeposit production, and between-valve gap size in P. purpuratus. We found that waterborne predator cues triggered a decrease in these variables except biodeposit production. However, the organic content of the biodeposits increased in the presence of predator cues. The snail's physical contact with the mussels strengthened the negative NCEs on between-valve gap size. Since P. purpuratus is a dominant filter-feeder and foundation species in rocky intertidal habitats, predator NCEs on this species might indirectly influence ecosystem-level processes and community structure. •NCEs of A. monodon reduced the clearance and oxygen consumption rate of P. purpuratus.•The organic content of the biodeposits was higher in the presence of predator cues.•Snail/mussel physical contact strengthened the negative NCE on between-valve gap size.