Premium
pH‐Mediated Predator‐Prey Interactions Between Ambystoma Tigrinum and Pseudacris Triseriata
Author(s) -
Kiesecker Joseph
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
ecological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.864
H-Index - 213
eISSN - 1939-5582
pISSN - 1051-0761
DOI - 10.2307/2269610
Subject(s) - amphibian , biology , abiotic component , predation , larva , predator , interspecific competition , ecology , metamorphosis , caudata , biotic component
Recent reports of declining amphibian populations have led researchers to investigate how various factors, including pH, can influence amphibian survival and ecology. It is now known that larval amphibians exposed to acid water may experience increased mortality or reduced rates of growth. At the interspecific level, species that respond differently to variation in abiotic factors such as pH may experience a shift in their interactions. I used naturally occurring pH levels (4.5, 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0) in laboratory experiments to examine the effects of pH on the growth and predator‐prey interaction of Ambystoma tigrinum and Pseudacris triseriata. Larvae of A. tigrinum exhibited reduced growth and increased developmental time at lower pH levels. However, pH had no significant effect on growth or developmental time in larvae of P. triseriata. In combination, these factors led to decreased predatory success of A. tigrinum larvae on P. triseriata larvae at lower pH levels. These results suggest that surface water acidification and perhaps other abiotic factors may have consequences at the community level that extend beyond direct lethal effects on amphibian populations in temporary ponds.