Journal article
Mechanisms underlying lack of functional compensation by insect grazers after tadpole declines in a Neotropical stream
Limnology and oceanography, v 67(S1), pp S198-S210
01 Feb 2022
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Abstract
Resilience of ecosystems to the sudden decline of large-bodied species is dependent on characteristics of surviving guild members. However, that response may also be mediated by local habitat conditions. Here, we examine the mechanisms behind the observed lack of functional compensation in the algal-grazing guild by insect grazers following the decline of tadpole grazers in a forested Panamanian stream. We examined: (1) shifts to the individual size distribution of insect grazers between pre- and post-tadpole declines in pool and riffle habitats; (2) tadpole and insect preferences for small-, medium-, and large-sized diatoms; and (3) a causal explanation for why insects did not functionally compensate for tadpole declines. The size distribution of insect grazers following tadpole declines differed between habitats, becoming uniform in pools and more right skewed toward a smaller size class in riffles. In both habitats, tadpoles selectively consumed medium-sized diatoms but avoided the largest-sized diatoms. In contrast, grazing insects selectively consumed small-sized diatoms, but switched to medium-sized diatoms after tadpole declines. Tadpole declines led to the loss of the strongest interactions between consumers and diatoms. Smaller-bodied grazing insects could not duplicate these interactions, even with a shift in resource use, providing an explanation for the lack of functional compensation. Furthermore, tadpole declines led to different community structures in each habitat indicating that local habitat conditions mediated the response of surviving guild members. This suggests that the sudden decline of a large-bodied species does not lead to a singular outcome for the surviving community.
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Details
- Title
- Mechanisms underlying lack of functional compensation by insect grazers after tadpole declines in a Neotropical stream
- Creators
- Thomas R. Barnum - Odum School of Ecology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia USAJohn Timothy Wootton - University of ChicagoRebecca J. Bixby - University of New MexicoJohn M. Drake - University of GeorgiaDavid Murray-Stoker - University of TorontoCheco Colon-Gaud - Georgia Southern UniversityAmanda T. Rugenski - Odum School of Ecology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia USATherese C. Frauendorf - Yale UniversityScott Connelly - Odum School of Ecology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia USASusan S. Kilham - Drexel UniversityMatt R. Whiles - Southern Illinois University CarbondaleKaren R. Lips - University of Maryland, College ParkCatherine M. Pringle - Odum School of Ecology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia USA
- Publication Details
- Limnology and oceanography, v 67(S1), pp S198-S210
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- DEB 0717741; DEB 0645875; DEB 0716680 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000684022200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85112194013
- Other Identifier
- 991019167711804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Limnology
- Oceanography