Comparing the dietary niche overlap and ecomorphological differences between invasive <i>Hemidactylus mabouia</i> geckos and a native gecko competitor

Lamb, April; Lippi, Catherine A.; Watkins‐Colwell, Gregory J.; Jones, Andrew W.; Warren, Dan L.; Iglesias, Teresa L.; Brandley, Matthew C.; Dornburg, Alex

doi:10.1002/ece3.8401

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is widely used to investigate the potential for trophic overlap between invasive and native species (Haubrock et al, 2020; Jackson et al, 2012; Lamb et al, 2021; Layman et al, 2007; Pagani‐Nuñez et al, 2018; Vander Zanden et al, 1999). Analysis of δ 13 C ( 13 C/ 12 C ratio) and δ 15 N ( 15 N/ 14 N ratio) has been used to infer trophic niche partitioning and displacement of native species by invaders (Gargano et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does invasion by armored catfish shift trophic ecology of native fishes? Evidence from stable isotope analysis

Quintana

Keppeler

Winemiller

2023

Ecology

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Popular as aquarium fish, armored catfishes from South America (Pterygoplichthys spp.) have been introduced and become invasive in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These ecosystem engineers can deplete basal resources (e.g., periphyton and detritus), with potential negative effects for native fauna. We studied the trophic ecology of fishes in the Usumacinta River Basin, Guatemala, where Pterygoplichthys is now widespread and locally abundant. We analyzed stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) in fish tissues and basal resources to assess the potential impact of Pterygoplichthys on the trophic ecology of six co‐occurring native fishes that feed at a similar trophic level (Astyanax aeneus, Dorosoma petenense, Thorichthys pasionis, Oscura heterospila, Poecilia mexicana, and Gambusia sexradiata). The study was conducted during the dry season in the La Pasion (LPR; high invasion) and San Pedro (SPR; low invasion) rivers. We compared isotopic spaces occupied by native fish and Pterygoplichthys, estimated isotopic overlap, and evaluated the trophic displacement of native species. We also evaluated the relationships of environmental factors, including the relative biomass of the invasive catfish, with δ13C and δ15N signatures. Except for P. mexicana, native species had lower isotopic overlap with the catfish in LPR. Native fish isotopic spaces were compressed and shifted toward higher trophic positions in LPR relative to SPR. Benthic food resources were important for Pterygoplichthys in both rivers, and water‐column resources had greater relative importance (RI) for native species in LPR. Native fish δ13C was significantly associated with Pterygoplichthys biomass, conductivity, and water flow velocity; and water depth and sedimentation had a significant association with native fish δ15N. Findings provide evidence that invasive Pterygoplichthys, along with environmental factors, impact the trophic ecology of native fish in the Usumacinta Basin. Additional field research conducted over longer time periods and mesocosm experiments that account for fish assemblage and environmental variation could elucidate Pterygoplichthys impacts via food resource depletion or habitat alteration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does invasion by armored catfish shift trophic ecology of native fishes? Evidence from stable isotope analysis

Quintana

Keppeler

Winemiller

2023

Ecology

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“…Geckos are one of the most frequently introduced reptiles, with several species known to have successfully established new populations outside their native ranges, often with adverse ecological consequences (Hoskin, 2011;Buckland et al, 2014;Perella and Behm, 2020). Yet, although voracious predators, studies targeting the diet of introduced geckos are rare, especially those under a genomic approach (but see e.g., Cummings et al, 2021;Lamb et al, 2021;Romero-Cordero, 2021). Although some studies have used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the diet of insular geckos (Pinho et al, 2018;Lopes et al, 2019;e.g., Gil et al, 2020), these studies are predominantly from islands without continuous human occupation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic interactions of an invasive gecko in an endemic-rich oceanic island: Insights using DNA metabarcoding

et al. 2022

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Understanding the trophic interactions of introduced predators is key for evidence-based management of biological invasions. This is particularly important in oceanic islands, where predator-prey networks often include numerous endemic and range-restricted species. Geckos are successful island colonizers and in recent years numerous species have established populations in a wide array of oceanic islands. One such species is the Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), which has colonized multiple islands across the Mediterranean basin, Caribbean and Macaronesia. The species was first reported in Madeira Island in 1993 and over the last 30 years has colonized most of the islands' southern coast and expanded to the nearby island of Porto Santo. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to provide the first insights into the diet of this successful colonizer in its introduced range. The species' diet was mainly composed of ground-dwelling arthropods belonging to the families Porcellionidae (Isopoda), Julidae (Diplopoda) and Formicidae (Hymenoptera). The diet richness and composition were not affected by neither sex nor size of adult geckos, instead they both change across populations. However, trophic niche-width differed among size classes, with smaller geckos feeding on a wider range of prey. We identified over 160 different Operational Taxonomic Units in the diet of T. mauritanica, with 21.6% of them belonging to introduced invertebrates and 13.6% to native species. Native prey taxa included the endemic Madeira wall lizard (Teira dugesii), the sole native reptile to Madeira. We also detected several agricultural pests and disease vectors in the diet of this exotic predator, and 19 taxa identified as prey had not yet been recorded to Madeira. Of these, several are serious agricultural pests, highlighting how this introduced gecko can be used as a natural sampler, in particular for the early detection of invasive arthropod pests. This study emphasizes the importance of trophic studies for monitoring the impacts of introduced predators in fragile insular systems.

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“…O padrão de dieta de uma espécie pode ser considerado como resultante da interação entre uma série de mecanismos ecológicos e/ou evolutivos que influenciaram a estrutura do seu nicho alimentar. A conservação, controle e manejo facilitam o conhecimento sobre a alimentação e a nutrição das populações animais, por isso, as pesquisas que envolvem a dieta (por exemplo, de grupos tais como as aves) são tão relevantes para a zoologia (SILVA et al, 2006;KUPRIYANOV, 2013;CAUGHLEY;SINCLAIR, 2014;LAMB et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“…Em geral, pode ser observada a presença de um grande número de artrópodes (p.ex., aracnídeos, ortópteros, himenópteros e coleópteros). Entretanto, espécies de vertebrados, tais como roedores e pequenos répteis e anfíbios, também, fazem parte da dieta desse grupo, caracterizando o seu nicho como insetívoro-carnívoro (GOMES et al, 2001;COSTA;SANDER, 2004;LOPES et al, 2005;CABRAL et al, 2006;FARIA;LUDWIG, 2013;PASSINI, 2013;LAMB et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Caracterização do nicho alimentar de coruja-buraqueira (Athene cunicularia): em uma área antropizada de Goiânia-GO

Vieira¹,

Sant`Ana²,

Araújo³

2022

Revista Científica Multidisciplinar Núcleo do Conhecimento

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O padrão de dieta de uma espécie é resultante da interação entre mecanismos ecológicos e/ou evolutivos que determinaram a estrutura do seu nicho alimentar. Quando uma espécie apresenta sobreposição de hábitat com o nosso, é muito importante compreender a influência dos fatores antrópicos na dinâmica dessas populações. A ordem Strigiformes é representada, principalmente, pelas corujas e tem ampla distribuição na natureza e nas proximidades das cidades. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o padrão da dieta de Athene cunicularia, através da análise de parâmetros populacionais e variáveis ambientais em uma população com ocorrência numa área antropizada, nos arredores da cidade de Goiânia-GO. Foram avaliados os itens de dieta nas pelotas regurgitadas (egagrópilas) de coruja-buraqueira ao longo de um período de onze meses. Foram registrados a heterogeneidade de itens e a variação sazonal na quantidade de egagrópilas. Outras variáveis, também, foram coletadas tais como, os itens por ninho, a distância em relação aos logradouros e aos postes de iluminação pública, o tamanho populacional, a densidade por ninho, o comprimento e a altura de cada ninho. Após a triagem, foram analisadas 190 egagrópilas, coletadas em 23 ninhos. De forma geral, foram observadas diferentes categorias de itens alimentares tais como, vertebrados (predominantemente, roedores e marsupiais) e invertebrados (coleópteros, ortópteros e outros, provavelmente, himenópteros e isópteros). As relações entre os fatores antrópicos e as distribuições dos itens alimentares não apresentaram uma correlação estatisticamente significativa para as amostras analisadas. Entretanto, a predominância de invertebrados (principalmente, insetos) na dieta dessa espécie pode indicar que, em áreas urbanas, isso não é apenas preferência alimentar. Pode indicar o efeito da maior disponibilidade desses recursos. Dessa forma, é importante entender a dinâmica alimentar dessas aves, tanto em ambiente urbano como rural, a fim de se estabelecer medidas de conservação e, também, realizar o mapeamento da distribuição da fauna sinantrópica predada por elas. Esses dados podem auxiliar no estabelecimento, por exemplo, de medidas de controle biológico de invertebrados, contribuindo com futuras políticas públicas para o município.

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Comparing the dietary niche overlap and ecomorphological differences between invasive Hemidactylus mabouia geckos and a native gecko competitor

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 6 publications

References 72 publications

Does invasion by armored catfish shift trophic ecology of native fishes? Evidence from stable isotope analysis

Does invasion by armored catfish shift trophic ecology of native fishes? Evidence from stable isotope analysis

Trophic interactions of an invasive gecko in an endemic-rich oceanic island: Insights using DNA metabarcoding

Caracterização do nicho alimentar de coruja-buraqueira (Athene cunicularia): em uma área antropizada de Goiânia-GO

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