Prey and predator density‐dependent interactions under different water volumes

Cuthbert, Ross N; Dalu, Tatenda; Wasserman, Ryan J; Sentis, Arnaud; Weyl, Olaf L F; Froneman, P William; Callaghan, Amanda; Dick, Jaimie T A

Title: Prey and predator density‐dependent interactions under different water volumes
Creator: Cuthbert, Ross N
Creator: Dalu, Tatenda
Creator: Wasserman, Ryan J
Creator: Sentis, Arnaud
Creator: Weyl, Olaf L F
Creator: Froneman, P William
Creator: Callaghan, Amanda
Creator: Dick, Jaimie T A
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 2021
Date: 2021
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466957
Identifier: vital:76802
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7503
Description: Predation is a critical ecological process that directly and indirectly mediates population stabilities, as well as ecosystem structure and function. The strength of interactions between predators and prey may be mediated by multiple density dependences concerning numbers of predators and prey. In temporary wetland ecosystems in particular, fluctuating water volumes may alter predation rates through differing search space and prey encounter rates. Using a functional response approach, we examined the influence of predator and prey densities on interaction strengths of the temporary pond specialist copepod Lovenula raynerae preying on cladoceran prey, Daphnia pulex, under contrasting water volumes. Further, using a population dynamic modeling approach, we quantified multiple predator effects across differences in prey density and water volume. Predators exhibited type II functional responses under both water volumes, with significant antagonistic multiple predator effects (i.e., antagonisms) exhibited overall. The strengths of antagonistic interactions were, however, enhanced under reduced water volumes and at intermediate prey densities. These findings indicate important biotic and abiotic contexts that mediate predator–prey dynamics, whereby multiple predator effects are contingent on both prey density and search area characteristics. In particular, reduced search areas (i.e., water volumes) under intermediate prey densities could enhance antagonisms by heightening predator–predator interference effects.
Format: 9 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Ecology and Evolution
Relation: Cuthbert, R.N., Dalu, T., Wasserman, R.J., Sentis, A., Weyl, O.L., Froneman, P.W., Callaghan, A. and Dick, J.T., 2021. Prey and predator density‐dependent interactions under different water volumes. Ecology and Evolution, 11(11), pp.6504-6512
Relation: Ecology and Evolution volume 11 number 11 6504 6512 2021 2045-7758
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Wiley Library Online Terms of Use Statement (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions)

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RU South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)

Froneman, Pierre William (Prof)

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

SDG 14. Life Below Water

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