Predator presence alters prey diet composition but not quantity in tide pool fish interactions
File version
Author(s)
Tibbetts, Ian R.
Van Bourg, J
Delisle, L
Burfeind, D.
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Understanding species interactions and how they change in the presence of a predator or competitor is a fundamental goal for ecologists. We tested such interactions in an intertidal soft sediment pool system where both the sand goby Favonigobius lentiginosus and post-settlement whiting Sillago spp. consume meiofaunal prey, but F. lentiginosus also consumes Sillago spp. We quantified changes in fish gut content volumes and composition (i.e. meiofaunal group diversity and abundances) in response to the presence of a predator/prey and to different fish densities (two, four or six total individuals) in experimental aquaria. We found no significant density-dependent effects on either the predator or prey species, likely due to meiofaunal prey oversupply; however, the diet composition of the prey species Sillago spp. changed significantly in the presence of their potential predator. We conclude that lower consumption of meiofaunal amphipods in the presence of gobies suggests that whiting perhaps maintain their gut fullness by preferentially targeting larger amphipods.
Journal Title
Hydrobiologia
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
795
Issue
1
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Biological Sciences