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Synergistic effects of food chain dynamics and induced behavioral responses in aquatic ecosystems

Hansson, Lars-Anders LU orcid (2000) In Ecology 81(3). p.842-851
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that temporal differences in food chain composition affect lower trophic levels not only directly, by predation and grazing, but also indirectly, by inducing avoidance behavior. In a field study, the recruitment rate from the sediments to water of two algal species (Gonyostomum semen and Peridinium sp.) was higher at low than at high biomass of herbivorous zooplankton. In complementary laboratory experiments, where abiotic conditions were standardized, the presence of live, as well as dead, herbivores reduced the recruitment rate of both Gondostomum semen and Peridinium sp. These results suggest that some algal species are able to adjust their recruitment behavior in response to the... (More)
The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that temporal differences in food chain composition affect lower trophic levels not only directly, by predation and grazing, but also indirectly, by inducing avoidance behavior. In a field study, the recruitment rate from the sediments to water of two algal species (Gonyostomum semen and Peridinium sp.) was higher at low than at high biomass of herbivorous zooplankton. In complementary laboratory experiments, where abiotic conditions were standardized, the presence of live, as well as dead, herbivores reduced the recruitment rate of both Gondostomum semen and Peridinium sp. These results suggest that some algal species are able to adjust their recruitment behavior in response to the likely risk of being grazed. Together with morphological adaptations (e.g., spines and large size) common among many algal species, such an induced behavioral response is an important adaptation to reduce cell mortality. As shown in this study, this behavioral response may have a profound impact on dominance and succession patterns in algal communities. The high zooplankton biomass observed during the first year of the held study was caused by failed reproduction of the dominant fish species in the lake (roach. Rutilus rutilus). Hence, food chain interactions (low predation on zooplankton, leading to high biomass of herbivorous zooplankton) may act in concert with more indirect, predator-avoidance behavior in structuring the phytoplankton community. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Ecology
volume
81
issue
3
pages
842 - 851
publisher
Ecological Society of America
external identifiers
  • scopus:0033930820
ISSN
0012-9658
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c34db808-5aa3-466c-8008-f72af9ec4060 (old id 146730)
alternative location
http://www.esajournals.org/esaonline/?request=get-document&issn=0012-9658&volume=081&issue=03&page=0842
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:10:14
date last changed
2022-01-28 17:49:56
@article{c34db808-5aa3-466c-8008-f72af9ec4060,
  abstract     = {{The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that temporal differences in food chain composition affect lower trophic levels not only directly, by predation and grazing, but also indirectly, by inducing avoidance behavior. In a field study, the recruitment rate from the sediments to water of two algal species (Gonyostomum semen and Peridinium sp.) was higher at low than at high biomass of herbivorous zooplankton. In complementary laboratory experiments, where abiotic conditions were standardized, the presence of live, as well as dead, herbivores reduced the recruitment rate of both Gondostomum semen and Peridinium sp. These results suggest that some algal species are able to adjust their recruitment behavior in response to the likely risk of being grazed. Together with morphological adaptations (e.g., spines and large size) common among many algal species, such an induced behavioral response is an important adaptation to reduce cell mortality. As shown in this study, this behavioral response may have a profound impact on dominance and succession patterns in algal communities. The high zooplankton biomass observed during the first year of the held study was caused by failed reproduction of the dominant fish species in the lake (roach. Rutilus rutilus). Hence, food chain interactions (low predation on zooplankton, leading to high biomass of herbivorous zooplankton) may act in concert with more indirect, predator-avoidance behavior in structuring the phytoplankton community.}},
  author       = {{Hansson, Lars-Anders}},
  issn         = {{0012-9658}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{842--851}},
  publisher    = {{Ecological Society of America}},
  series       = {{Ecology}},
  title        = {{Synergistic effects of food chain dynamics and induced behavioral responses in aquatic ecosystems}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4590651/625104.pdf}},
  volume       = {{81}},
  year         = {{2000}},
}