Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities
Abstract Consumptive effects (CEs) of predation have been well‐studied in most aquatic systems, but nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey have only recently received limited attention. As aquatic consumers, tadpoles have traditionally been considered strict herbivores, leaving their predatory impact...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Ecosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4474 |
| _version_ | 1797838719719309312 |
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| author | Brady P. Parlato Cy L. Mott |
| author_facet | Brady P. Parlato Cy L. Mott |
| author_sort | Brady P. Parlato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Consumptive effects (CEs) of predation have been well‐studied in most aquatic systems, but nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey have only recently received limited attention. As aquatic consumers, tadpoles have traditionally been considered strict herbivores, leaving their predatory impacts via CEs and NCEs largely unexplored. We quantified omnivory among wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles and characterized their CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities. Tadpoles from natural ponds were dissected to quantify the frequency of omnivory generally, as well as specifically in relation to pond size and tadpole morphology. Additional tadpoles were employed in a mesocosm experiment that manipulated tadpole presence (absent, caged, or free‐swimming) to quantify CEs and NCEs on freshwater zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities. Over 70% of tadpoles in natural ponds engaged in omnivory, primarily on zooplankton, and tadpoles with wider heads and deeper tails were more likely to be omnivorous. Tadpoles in mesocosms exhibited CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities, with stronger effects exerted on zooplankton than macroinvertebrates. The NCEs of tadpoles on invertebrates likely included production of predatory chemical cues that influenced invertebrate behavior, abundance, and community composition. Because tadpoles are often the dominant vertebrate predators in ephemeral aquatic ecosystems, this study stresses their ecological importance in structuring aquatic communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:46:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-95f8a311c2d64972aa67f2daa3cc1ad7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-8925 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:46:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-95f8a311c2d64972aa67f2daa3cc1ad72023-04-27T00:50:33ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252023-04-01144n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.4474Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communitiesBrady P. Parlato0Cy L. Mott1Department of Biological Sciences Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Kentucky 40475 USADepartment of Biological Sciences Eastern Kentucky University Richmond Kentucky 40475 USAAbstract Consumptive effects (CEs) of predation have been well‐studied in most aquatic systems, but nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on prey have only recently received limited attention. As aquatic consumers, tadpoles have traditionally been considered strict herbivores, leaving their predatory impacts via CEs and NCEs largely unexplored. We quantified omnivory among wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles and characterized their CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities. Tadpoles from natural ponds were dissected to quantify the frequency of omnivory generally, as well as specifically in relation to pond size and tadpole morphology. Additional tadpoles were employed in a mesocosm experiment that manipulated tadpole presence (absent, caged, or free‐swimming) to quantify CEs and NCEs on freshwater zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities. Over 70% of tadpoles in natural ponds engaged in omnivory, primarily on zooplankton, and tadpoles with wider heads and deeper tails were more likely to be omnivorous. Tadpoles in mesocosms exhibited CEs and NCEs on invertebrate communities, with stronger effects exerted on zooplankton than macroinvertebrates. The NCEs of tadpoles on invertebrates likely included production of predatory chemical cues that influenced invertebrate behavior, abundance, and community composition. Because tadpoles are often the dominant vertebrate predators in ephemeral aquatic ecosystems, this study stresses their ecological importance in structuring aquatic communities.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4474abundanceamphibianindirect effectsomnivorypredationrisk effects |
| spellingShingle | Brady P. Parlato Cy L. Mott Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities Ecosphere abundance amphibian indirect effects omnivory predation risk effects |
| title | Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| title_full | Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| title_fullStr | Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| title_short | Consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| title_sort | consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of omnivorous tadpoles on aquatic invertebrate communities |
| topic | abundance amphibian indirect effects omnivory predation risk effects |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4474 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bradypparlato consumptiveandnonconsumptiveeffectsofomnivoroustadpolesonaquaticinvertebratecommunities AT cylmott consumptiveandnonconsumptiveeffectsofomnivoroustadpolesonaquaticinvertebratecommunities |