Altered complementary feeding strategies of the consumers Hydrobia ulvae and Idotea emarginata via passive selectivity
Abstract This study aimed to identify differences in selectivity, foraging behaviour and complementary feeding of two benthic consumers (the isopod Idotea emarginata and the snail Hydrobia ulvae) using traditional cell counting as an indicator for algal biomass reduction and stable isotope labelling...
| Published in: | Helgoland Marine Research |
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| Language: | English |
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Springer-Verlag
2010
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/2262/41948 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10152-009-0148-9 |
| Summary: | Abstract This study aimed to identify differences in selectivity, foraging behaviour and complementary feeding of two benthic consumers (the isopod Idotea emarginata and the snail Hydrobia ulvae) using traditional cell counting as an indicator for algal biomass reduction and stable isotope labelling to detect differences in assimilation and digestion. We hypothesized that even when active feeding preferences of food components are not apparent, passive selectivity via mechanisms such as food assimilation and digestion can be of relevance. Algal biomass was reduced to a similar degree by the grazers independently from grazer and prey combinations without any indication for an active choice of food components. However, the isotope labelling approach indicated that passive selectivity can alter complementary feeding strategies, as we detected shifts in feeding preferences in relation to food quantity and competition. Thus, stable isotope labelling of food components opens up new perspectives in community ecology, allowing assessment of such complex mechanisms as passive selectivity, complementary feeding and competition. phone: +49-431-8193236 (Aberle, N.) Nicole.Aberle-Malzahn@awi.de (Aberle, N.) Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Sea Research - 180 - 27483 - Helgoland - GERMANY (Aberle, N.) Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Sea Research - 180 - 27483 - Helgoland - GERMANY (Malzahn, A. M.) School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University - Mile End Road - London - UNITED KINGDOM (Grey, J.) Carl-von-Ossietzky Universitat Oldenburg, ICBM Terramare - Schleusenstr. 1 - 26382 - Wilhelmshaven - GERMANY (Hillebrand, H.) Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Sea Research - 180 - 27483 - Helgoland - GERMANY (Wiltshire, K. H.) GERMANY UNITED KINGDOM Registration: 2009-01-23 Received: 2008-09-09 Revised: 2009-01-16 Accepted: 2009-01-23 ePublished: 2009-03-01 |
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