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Facilitation and interference among three predators affect their consumption of a stream‐dwelling mayfly
Author(s) -
NILSSON ERIKA,
HERTONSSON PIA,
STENBERG MARIKA,
BRODERSEN JAKOB,
OLSSON KARIN,
STENROTH PATRIK,
LAKOWITZ THOMAS,
BRÖNMARK CHRISTER,
NYSTRÖM PER,
MCINTOSH ANGUS R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2006.01581.x
Subject(s) - predation , mayfly , salmo , predator , brown trout , biology , benthic zone , ecology , interspecific competition , trout , predatory fish , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , nymph
Summary 1. We experimentally tested if a multiplicative risk model accurately predicted the consumption of a common mayfly at risk of predation from three predator species in New Zealand streams. Deviations between model predictions and experimental observations were interpreted as indicators of ecologically important interactions between predators. 2. The predators included a drift‐feeding fish [brown trout (T), Salmo trutta ], a benthivorous fish [galaxiid (G), koaro, Galaxias brevipennis ] and a benthic predatory stonefly (S; Stenoperla sp.) with Deleatidium sp. mayflies as prey. Eight treatments with all predator species combinations and a predator‐free control were used. Experiments were performed in aquaria with cobbles as predator refuges for mayflies and we measured the proportion of prey consumed after 6 h for both day and night trials. 3. Trout consumed a higher proportion of prey than other predators. For the two predator treatments we found less than expected prey consumption in the galaxiid + trout treatment (G + T) for both day and night trials, whereas a higher than expected proportion of prey was consumed during night time in the stonefly + trout (S + T) treatment. 4. The results indicate interference (G + T) and facilitation (S + T) between predators depending on predator identity and time of day. Thus, to make accurate predictions of interspecific interactions, it is necessary to consider the ecology of individual species and how differences influence the direction and magnitude of interactions.