Open AccessDevelopment of empirical feeding models for a benthic predator
Author(s) -
Linton L. R.,
Davies Ronald W.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1988.tb00799.x
Subject(s) - predator , daphnia magna , predation , chironomus riparius , biology , benthic zone , ecology , chironomidae , daphnia , cladocera , branchiopoda , invertebrate , larva , crustacean , chemistry , organic chemistry , toxicity
Feeding on Chironomus riparius, Glyptotendipes paripes (Chironomidae). and Daphnia magna by the predatory freshwater leech, Nephelopsis obscura , was investigated in the laboratory and predictive models developed to estimate prey capture rate in the field. Experimental arena (container) size significantly affected predation rates when arena diameter was less than twice the total body length of the predator. Both chironomid and Daphnia magna capture rates were influenced by predator size, temperature and prey density.