scholarly journals Predator diversity reduces habitat colonization by mosquitoes and midges

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 20160580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan G. Staats ◽  
Salvatore J. Agosta ◽  
James R. Vonesh
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Biodiversity Research ◽  
Predator Diversity ◽  
Habitat Colonization ◽  
Predator Abundance ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Eggs And Larvae

Changes in predator diversity via extinction and invasion are increasingly widespread and can have important ecological and socio-economic consequences. Anticipating and managing these consequences requires understanding how predators shape ecological communities. Previous predator biodiversity research has focused on post-colonization processes. However, predators can also shape communities by altering patterns of prey habitat selection during colonization. The sensitivity of this non-consumptive top down mechanism to changes in predator diversity is largely unexamined. To address this gap, we examined patterns of dipteran oviposition habitat selection in experimental aquatic habitats in response to varied predator species richness while holding predator abundance constant. Caged predators were used in order to disentangle behavioural oviposition responses to predator cues from potential post-oviposition consumption of eggs and larvae. We hypothesized that because increases in predator richness often result in greater prey mortality than would be predicted from independent effects of predators, prey should avoid predator-rich habitats during colonization. Consistent with this hypothesis, predator-rich habitats received 48% fewer dipteran eggs than predicted, including 60% fewer mosquito eggs and 38% fewer midge eggs. Our findings highlight the potentially important links between predator biodiversity, prey habitat selection and the ecosystem service of pest regulation.

scholarly journals Correction to ‘Predator diversity reduces habitat colonization by mosquitoes and midges’

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 20170034
Author(s):  
Ethan G. Staats ◽  
Salvatore J. Agosta ◽  
James R. Vonesh
Keyword(s):  
Predator Diversity ◽  
Habitat Colonization

scholarly journals Predator diversity stabilizes and strengthens trophic control of a keystone grazer

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Griffin ◽  
Brian R. Silliman
Keyword(s):  
Effective Control ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Marsh Vegetation ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Insurance Hypothesis ◽  
Predator Diversity ◽  
Predation Rates ◽  
Species Deletion

Despite the global vulnerability of predators to extinction, and the critical functional role they play in many ecosystems, there have been few realistic tests of the consequences of predator species deletion (conversely, predator diversity) in natural ecosystems. We performed a four-month field experiment in a southeastern United States salt marsh to test the role of predatory crab diversity in regulating populations of a keystone grazer that can decimate marsh vegetation at high densities. Our results revealed that a combination of this system's two resident predator species, in comparison to individual species, both stabilize and strengthen predation rates on the potent grazer. Monthly monitoring of predation rates from intense, hot summer months into the cooler autumn indicate this diversity benefit arises from predators responding differentially to changing environmental conditions across seasons. This study provides some of the first experimental field support for the insurance hypothesis from marine ecosystems, suggests that predator temporal complementarity may be more common than currently perceived, and argues for conservation of predator diversity to ensure reliable and effective control of potentially habitat-destroying grazers.

scholarly journals Predator diversity and thermal niche complementarity attenuate indirect effects of warming on prey survival

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Pepi ◽  
Marshall McMunn
Keyword(s):  
Climate Warming ◽  
Survival Probability ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Niche Complementarity ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Thermal Niche ◽  
Predator Diversity ◽  
Sufficient Variation

AbstractClimate warming has broad-reaching effects on communities, and although much research has focused on direct abiotic effects, indirect effects of warming meditated through biotic interactions can be of equal or greater magnitude. A body of theoretical and empirical work has developed examining the effects of climate warming on predator-prey interactions, but most studies have focused on single predator and prey species. We develop a model with multiple predator species using simulated and measured predator thermal niches from a community of ants, to examine the influence of predator diversity and other aspects of community thermal niche on the indirect effects of climate warming on prey survival probability. We find that predator diversity attenuates the indirect effect of climate warming on prey survival probability, and that sufficient variation of predator thermal optima, closer prey and mean predator thermal optima, and higher predator niche complementarity increases the attenuation effect of predator diversity. We predict therefore that more diverse and complementary communities are likely more affected by direct versus indirect effects of climate warming, and vice versa for less diverse and complementary communities. If general, these predictions could lessen the difficulty of predicting the effects of climate warming on a focal species of interest.

scholarly journals The interactions between natural enemies and their role in controlling Bactericera cockerelli in potatoes

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 293-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.H. MacDonald ◽  
G.P. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Adult Life ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Bactericera Cockerelli ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Intraguild Interactions ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Coccinella Undecimpunctata ◽  
Eggs And Larvae

The impacts of naturally occurring predators for control of Bactericera cockerelli (tomatopotato psyllid; TPP) have been assessed in potatoes at Pukekohe for 3 years Results indicate that the most commonly found predator species are Micromus tasmaniae (brown lacewing) and Melanostoma fasciatum (small hoverfly) with populations of small hoverfly eggs and larvae reaching up to almost 200 per plant in unsprayed plants over January and February Continuing with intensive studies on TPP these naturally occurring predators appear to be important biological control agents In laboratory choice and no choice assays results indicate these two predator species eat all life stages of TPP even in the presence of aphids The intraguild interactions between predator species are now being investigated to ascertain from a suite of predators on potatoes which are likely to be the best allies in developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme for potatoes Laboratory studies indicate that larvae of small hoverfly and larval and adult life stages of Coccinella undecimpunctata (11spotted ladybird) may be displacing brown lacewings

scholarly journals Warming indirectly increases invasion success in food webs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Sentis ◽  
José M. Montoya ◽  
Miguel Lurgi
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Food Web Structure ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Web Structure ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
Key Drivers

Climate warming and biological invasions are key drivers of biodiversity change. Their combined effects on ecological communities remain largely unexplored. We investigated the direct and indirect influences of warming on invasion success, and their synergistic effects on community structure and dynamics. Using size-structured food web models, we found that warming increased invasion success. The direct physiological effects of warming on invasions were minimal in comparison to indirect effects mediated by changes on food web structure and stability. Warmed communities with less connectivity, shortened food chains and reduced temporal variability were more susceptible to invasions. The directionality and magnitude of invasions effects on food webs varied across warming regimes. Warmer communities became smaller, more connected, and with more predator species when invaded than their colder counterparts. They were also less stable and their species more abundant. Considering food web structure is crucial to predict invasion success and its impacts under warming.

scholarly journals Wolf habitat selection in relation to recreational structures in a national park

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Malcolm ◽  
Marianne Cheveau ◽  
Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
National Park ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Surrounding Area ◽  
Linear Structures ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Although most predators usually avoid human activity, some individuals instead will habituate to it. Habituation to human presence and infrastructure by predator species such as wolves may lead to conflicts implicating serious risks for public safety and for the survival of the animals involved. Accordingly, this research project aims to shed light on the relationship between wolves and recreational structures using telemetry data from 10 wolves located in the Parc National du Mont-Tremblant (Québec, Canada) and its surrounding area. Using resource selection functions (RSFs), we observed wolf habitat selection in relation to these structures during three biological periods (denning: May–June; rendezvous: June–October; and nomadic: October–April). Our results revealed that wolves selected proximity to linear structures (roads and trails) during the denning and rendezvous periods, but this selection depended on the density of such structures in the surroundings (i.e., functional response in habitat selection): wolves selected proximity to linear structures when these structures were present at greater densities. Wolves avoided housing structures (campsites, cabins, park facilities), especially when these structures were present at greater densities, suggesting that wolves perceived them as a risk. These results suggest that conflicts between visitors and wolves were unlikely to occur in campgrounds during the time of our study. This could indicate that the management measures implemented by the park following the past episodes of conflict were effective. However, wolves’ use of linear structures could lead to increased tolerance to human proximity if left unmanaged.

Do animals select habitat at small or large scales? An experiment with meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Oatway ◽  
D.W. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Density Dependent Habitat Selection

Habitat and patch use are crucial to the dynamics of populations and the structure of ecological communities. But ecologists have not rigorously tested whether animals choose habitat at small or large scales. If individuals base their patch and habitat choices on fine-scale differences in habitat, then their use of different sites should correspond with measures of microhabitat at those sites. But if individuals use density to assess and respond to habitat at larger spatial scales, then site use should correspond with the scale of density-dependent habitat selection. We tested these predictions with experiments that measured microhabitat and monitored the use of capture sites by meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord, 1815) in 0.25 ha old-field enclosures. We varied the density of voles in pairs of adjacent enclosures and tested for density-dependent habitat selection. Then we assessed whether their frequency of captures at trapping stations was best predicted at the small scale of microhabitat or at the much larger scale of enclosures where density varied. The voles selected habitat at different scales. When the use of enclosures was predicted by density, the scale of density-dependent choice trumped the use of small-scale patches. And when voles selected amongst different small-scale patches, their use of enclosures was independent of density. These results suggest that assessments of spatial scale in habitat use must include tests for both scale- and density-dependent habitat choice.

scholarly journals High Survivorship of First-generation Monarch Butterfly Eggs and Larvae Associated with a Diverse Arthropod Community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misty Stevenson ◽  
Kalynn L. Hudman ◽  
Alyx Scott ◽  
Kelsey Contreras ◽  
Jeffrey G. Kopachena
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Monarch Butterfly ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
North Texas ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
Predator Abundance ◽  
A Site ◽  
Eggs And Larvae

The eastern migratory population of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in North America has declined by over 80% in the last 20 years, prompting the implementation of numerous conservation strategies. However, there is little information on the survivorship of first-generation monarchs in the core area of occupancy in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana where overwinter population recovery begins. The purpose of this study was to determine the survivorship of first-generation eggs to third instars at a site in north Texas and to evaluate host plant arthropods for their effect on survivorship. Survivorship to third instar averaged 13.4% and varied from 11.7% to 15.6% over three years. The host plants harbored 77 arthropod taxa, including 27 predatory taxa. Despite their abundance, neither predator abundance nor predator richness predicted monarch survival. However, host plants upon which monarchs survived often harbored higher numbers of non-predatory arthropod taxa and more individuals of non-predatory taxa. These results indicate that indirect top-down effects improved monarch survival in our study. The creation of diverse functional arthropod communities should be considered for effective monarch conservation, particularly in southern latitudes.

scholarly journals Inferring predator–prey interaction in the subterranean environment: a case study from Dinaric caves

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Premate ◽  
Maja Zagmajster ◽  
Cene Fišer
Keyword(s):  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Proteus Anguinus ◽  
Prey Interaction

AbstractPredator–prey interactions are among the most important biotic interactions shaping ecological communities and driving the evolution of defensive traits. These interactions and their effects on species received little attention in extreme and remote environments, where possibilities for direct observations and experimental manipulation of the animals are limited. In this paper, we study such type of environment, namely caves of the Dinarides (Europe), combining spatial and phylogenetic methods. We focused on several species of Niphargus amphipods living in phreatic lakes, as some of them use the dorsal spines as putative morphological defensive traits. We predicted that these spines represent a defense strategy against the olm (Proteus anguinus), a top predator species in the subterranean waters. We tested for spatial overlap of the olm and Niphargus species and showed that spined species live in closer proximity to and co-occur more frequently with the olm than non-spined species. Modeling of the evolution of the spines onto Niphargus phylogeny implies coevolution of this trait in the presence of olm. We conclude that these spines likely evolved as defensive traits in a predator–prey arms race. Combining multiple analyses, we provide an example for a methodological framework to assess predator–prey interactions when in-situ or laboratory observations are not possible.

Experimental removal reveals only weak interspecific competition between two coexisting lizards

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (8) ◽  
pp. 888-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Paterson ◽  
Stacey L. Weiss ◽  
Gabriel Blouin-Demers
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Urosaurus Ornatus ◽  
Tree Lizards ◽  
Coexisting Species ◽  
Resource Levels ◽  
Sceloporus Virgatus

Competition for resources is an important mechanism that shapes ecological communities. Interspecific competition can affect habitat selection, fitness, and abundance in animals. We used a removal experiment and mark–recapture to test the hypothesis that competition with the larger and more abundant Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus H.M. Smith, 1938) limits habitat selection, fitness, and abundance in Ornate Tree Lizards (Urosaurus ornatus (Baird in Baird and Girard, 1852)). Ornate Tree Lizards in the plots where Striped Plateau Lizards were removed switched between habitat types more frequently and moved farther than Ornate Tree Lizards in control plots. However, there were no significant changes in the relative densities of Ornate Tree Lizards in each habitat type or in microhabitat use. We also found no changes in growth rates, survival, or abundance of Ornate Tree Lizards in response to the removal of Striped Plateau Lizards. Our results suggest that interspecific competition was not strong enough to limit habitat use or abundance of Ornate Tree Lizards. Perhaps interspecific competition is weak between coexisting species when resource levels are not severely depleted. Therefore, it is important to consider environmental conditions when assessing the importance of interspecific competition.

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