Detritivorous fish indirectly reduce insect secondary production in a tropical river

Hall, Robert O.; Taylor, Barrie F.; Flecker, Alexander S.

doi:10.1890/es11-00042.1

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(88 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies have documented a strong influence of large grazing fishes on algal standing crops and AFDM accumulation, effects which cascade up the food chain to influence invertebrates (Flecker , Hall et al. ). Although there are no comparable studies in Amazonia, the Orinoco's food web structure is highly diverse and functionally similar (Albert and Reis ), and these fish‐mediated effects are primarily due to the seasonal variation in flannel‐mouthed characins (Prochilodontidae; Flecker , Winemiller et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this scenario, grazing fishes decreased detritus accumulation on hard surfaces, an effect subsequently cascading up the food web to decrease invertebrate densities (Flecker , Hall et al. , Winemiller et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A surprising result from this study stands in contrast with previous findings in similar Neotropical river basins (i.e., the Orinoco); we found no large fish exclusion treatment effect in the river. Previous studies have documented a strong influence of large grazing fishes on algal standing crops and AFDM accumulation, effects which cascade up the food chain to influence invertebrates (Flecker 1996, Hall et al 2011. Although there are no comparable studies in Amazonia, the Orinoco's food web structure is highly diverse and functionally similar (Albert and Reis 2011), and these fish-mediated effects are primarily due to the seasonal variation in flannel-mouthed characins (Prochilodontidae; Flecker 1996, which were typically observed in both the Manu River and the Cocha Cashu lake at the time of this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through these interactions, highly diverse tropical fish assemblages impact food webs and indirectly reduce secondary production (Hall et al. , Winemiller et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These effects are most apparent for larger grazers on hard substrates rather than on the sandy bottom of large rivers (Forsberg et al 1993. Through these interactions, highly diverse tropical fish assemblages impact food webs and indirectly reduce secondary production (Hall et al 2011. Thus, as in temperate systems, rather than acting solely like a keystone, ecosystem engineer, or foundation species, riparian trees, through their introduction of LWD into aquatic ecosystems, may catalyze a suite of ecological processes through their independent impact on members of different trophic levels (e.g., primary producers, invertebrates, grazing fish).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Process catalyzers in Amazonian rivers: large woody debris modifies ecosystem processes across freshwater habitats

Heilpern

Wootton

2018

Ecosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Understanding the role of interactions in influencing community structure and ecosystem function is a goal in ecology, and identifying biotic entities that are strong interactors is imperative for setting targeted conservation strategies. Several different mechanisms have been linked with strongly interacting species (e.g., predation, competition, abiotic habitat modification), but the most important organisms often influence ecosystems in multiple ways. We propose that these strong interactors share a broad common feature: They catalyze ecosystem processes, such as rates of primary productivity, species interactions, and/or physical disturbances. We provide a case study of Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), focusing on its influence as a provider of large woody debris (LWD) on food web dynamics in tropical floodplain rivers and associated oxbow lakes. Large woody debris has been subject to considerable attention because of its perceived importance in creating geomorphologically favorable conditions for target commercial species (e.g., distribution of pools and riffle for salmonids). However, in this study we suggest that LWD catalyzes a suite of ecological processes in addition to geomorphology that determines its important role within aquatic communities. Through a factorial experiment manipulating large and small fish access to treatments with and without LWD piles, we tested the role of Spanish cedar in modifying interactions between different-sized fishes, invertebrates, and primary producers in a tropical floodplain river and associated oxbow lake. Path analysis revealed that fishes influence particulate matter accumulation and invertebrate abundances more so in wood piles than outside of wood piles in both river and lake ecosystem contexts. In addition to providing the first experimental test of factors controlling trophic dynamics in an Amazonian river, we suggest that understanding the role of organisms through the ecological processes they catalyze provides an overarching conceptual framework to link single species and ecosystem-based management strategies.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through these interactions, highly diverse tropical fish assemblages impact food webs and indirectly reduce secondary production (Hall et al. , Winemiller et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Process catalyzers in Amazonian rivers: large woody debris modifies ecosystem processes across freshwater habitats

Heilpern

Wootton

2018

Ecosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Of olives and carp: interactive effects of an aquatic and a terrestrial invader on a stream‐riparian ecosystem

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Multiple invasive species may interact, influencing one another and generating synergistic effects on food webs and ecosystem processes. We investigated the interaction between two non‐native species widespread in the western USA: common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), an invasive riparian tree associated with di‐nitrogen fixation. Deep Creek, Idaho, was an International Biological Program site in the early 1970s; at that time, carp were rare and Russian olive was absent. Subsequently, Russian olive was introduced and established a dense stand, increasing allochthonous inputs and nitrogen‐rich benthic organic matter. Since 1971, carp density has increased ~4× (an increase our bioenergetic analysis suggests could not have been sustained in the absence of Russian olive). Carp gut contents in 2013–2014 revealed, on average, ~40% olives, and, similarly, stable isotope analyses revealed ~58% of carp tissues were derived from olives. A small‐scale, short‐term experimental exclusion of these subsidized carp caused ~3× increases in macrophytes and chlorophyll‐a, suggesting they may limit algae and macrophyte biomass. Moreover, carp that consumed olives excreted more nitrogen (~2× more ammonium, ~2× more total dissolved nitrogen, and ~3× more total nitrogen) compared to those that had not, which may amplify recycling and export from streams invaded by both species. This scenario is characteristic of an “invasional meltdown,” with attendant changes in food webs and ecosystem processes.

show abstract

Mechanisms underlying lack of functional compensation by insect grazers after tadpole declines in a Neotropical stream

Barnum

Wootton

Bixby

et al. 2021

Limnology & Oceanography

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Detritivorous fish indirectly reduce insect secondary production in a tropical river

Cited by 14 publications

References 52 publications

Process catalyzers in Amazonian rivers: large woody debris modifies ecosystem processes across freshwater habitats

Process catalyzers in Amazonian rivers: large woody debris modifies ecosystem processes across freshwater habitats

Of olives and carp: interactive effects of an aquatic and a terrestrial invader on a stream‐riparian ecosystem

Mechanisms underlying lack of functional compensation by insect grazers after tadpole declines in a Neotropical stream

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About