Predator nonconsumptive effects on prey recruitment.

Predators may have nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey populations mediated by chemical cues detected by prey. We experimentally investigated dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus) NCEs on intertidal barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) recruit density in Nova Scotia, Canada. Under a moderate abundance of coast...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
Main Authors: Ellrich, Julius, Scrosati, Ricardo A, Molis, Markus
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/43296/
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/0012-9623-96.3.478/full
https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.49789
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Summary:Predators may have nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey populations mediated by chemical cues detected by prey. We experimentally investigated dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus) NCEs on intertidal barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) recruit density in Nova Scotia, Canada. Under a moderate abundance of coastal phytoplankton (food for barnacle larvae and recruits), barnacle recruitment was moderate and the nearby presence of dogwhelks limited barnacle recruit density at the end of the recruitment season. Under a high phytoplankton abundance, barnacle recruitment was high and neutralized dogwhelk NCEs on barnacle recruit density, likely through the chemical attraction that recruits exert on larvae seeking settlement.