Predator–prey interactions in a bioinvasion scenario: differential predation by native predators on two exotic rocky intertidal bivalves

The mechanisms determining the strength of interactions between non-indigenous and native species in the invaded environment are of great interest to both ecologists and managers. On a Brazilian rocky shore, we experimentally measured predation intensity and prey preference of native predators on 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 2010-03, Vol.403, p.101-112
Main Authors: López, M. Soledad, Coutinho, Ricardo, Ferreira, Carlos E. L., Rilov, Gil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological invasions
Crabs
Decapoda
Ecological invasion
Fish
Introduced species
Isognomon bicolor
Marine
Mortality
Mussels
Perna
Perna perna
Predation
Predators
Stramonita haemastoma
Trachypollia nodulosa
Whelks
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Summary:The mechanisms determining the strength of interactions between non-indigenous and native species in the invaded environment are of great interest to both ecologists and managers. On a Brazilian rocky shore, we experimentally measured predation intensity and prey preference of native predators on 2 exotic bivalves,Perna perna(which has been present for centuries) andIsognomon bicolor(introduced ca. 20 yr ago). Overall, predation was more intense onP. pernathan onI. bicolor. Furthermore,P. pernawas preyed upon more intensively by benthic crawling predators (whelks and, possibly, crabs), while larger, more mobile predators (fish and birds) were less selective. In addition, the larger, more abundant whelkStramonita haemastomaselectively preyed onP. perna(for which handling time was shorter), while another whelk (Trachypollia nodulosa) preferredI. bicolor, although handling time was longer. Different shell morphologies of the 2 exotic prey and resource partitioning between the whelks may explainS. haemastomaandT. nodulosafeeding preferences, respectively. The thicker valves ofI. bicolorcompared to those ofP. pernareduced the drilling or chipping efficiency by whelks. Although these prey species belong to the same functional group, differences in their shell characteristics could entail different mechanical constraints to predators. Therefore, native predators in the study system may preferP. pernaoverI. bicolorbecause they are still adapting their foraging skills to handle the more recent invader,I. bicolor.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps08409