Effects of interstitial refugia and current velocity on growth of the amphipod<b>Gammarus pulex</b><b>Linnaeus</b>

Franken, Rob J. M.; Batten, Steven; Beijer, John A. J.; Gardeniers, J.J.P.; Scheffer, Marten; Peeters, E.T.H.M.

doi:10.1899/0887-3593(2006)25[656:eoirac]2.0.co;2

Cited by 31 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The reasons for the observed size differences are likely to include, not necessarily in order of importance: more and better quality food (larger substrate enhances coarse particulate organic matter retention; Lepori et al 2005, and increased flow can stimulated periphyton growth; Opsahl et al 2003), greater interstitial spaces for protection from predators (the common goby), and better oxygenated water (Hynes 1970) at the faster-water site. For G. pulex, it has been shown that growth is higher at a higher current velocity, and that, although food consumption is lower, individual growth is higher among larger substrate particles (gravel versus sand) (Franken et al 2006). For G. pseudolimnaeus, activity and oxygen uptake have been observed to be lower among preferred substrate particle sizes, compared with non-preferred sizes (Rees 1972), and the presence of suitable substrate interstices is critical to microhabitat selection (Olyslager and Williams 1993).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gammarus pulex, for example prefers moderate flows around 25 cm s -1 (Peeters and Gardeniers 1998;Franken et al 2006), and G. pseudolimnaeus prefers a similar level (20-25 cm s -1 ), combined with larger substrate particles which provides larger interstitial refuges (Williams and Moore 1982). While some of the demonstrated benefits of such microhabitat preferences include increased growth and predator protection, this study indicates that there may be implication for mate choice in that larger males predominate at faster-water/large substrate sites where they breed with larger, presumably more fecund, females.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Size-assortative pairing in the lotic amphipod Gammarus zaddachi, an examination of hypotheses and the influence of current speed

Williams

2007

Aquat Ecol

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Three main hypotheses have been put forward to explain size-assortative pairing in gammarid amphipods: microhabitat separation, sexual selection and loading constraint. In order to determine which hypothesis best explains this phenomenon in the estuarine species Gammarus zaddachi, I first measured the body lengths and dry weights of precopula pairs collected from two field sites with substantially different current speeds. Second, I performed three laboratory experiments in order to estimate the importance of the following processes: (1) male choice; (2) male-male competition and (3) male-female acceptability. The loading constraint hypothesis seemed best supported by the data in that fieldcollected male G. zaddachi size correlated well with female size in precopula pairing in both fast and slow flowing water. In the laboratory, males preferred females of their same size group (large versus small), and 'won' them in the male-male competition experiments. Size-assortative pairing is thus likely a consequence of the loading constraints imposed upon these males by virtue of them having to carry and manoeuvre their partners through flowing water, while attempting to maintain station in an optimal microhabitat.Males may therefore forego the largest, most fecund females, in favour of a practicable payload (small male-large female pairings were rare). However, there seems to be a lower limit to this selection, indicated by the high degree of cannibalism on small females by large males.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Size-assortative pairing in the lotic amphipod Gammarus zaddachi, an examination of hypotheses and the influence of current speed

Williams

2007

Aquat Ecol

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“…Substrate choice and activity patterns of gammarids can be influenced by a number of factors such as age of the gammarid and time of day (Elliott 2005), structure of substrates and physical and chemical parameters in the environment (Wijnhoven et al 2003;Palmer and Ricciardi 2004;Franken et al 2006;McGrath et al 2007), availability of food (van Dolah 1978;Dahl and Greenberg 1996;De Lange et al 2005;McGrath et al 2007), presence/absence of parasites in gammarids (Mazzi and Bakker 2003;Kaldonski et al 2007), presence/absence/density of predators or predator odors and age of predators (Mathis and Hoback 1997;Dahl and Greenberg 1996;Wudkevich et al 1997;Max Neil et al 1999;Sudo and Azeta 2001;Baumgärtner et al 2002Baumgärtner et al , 2003Pennuto and Keppler 2008) and presence/absence of conspecifics (van Riel et al 2007;Piscart et al 2007). We conducted the substrate-choice experiments in the absence of predators, parasites and food (except macrophytes) and both test species faced the same physical and chemical conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of substrate preference and complexity on co-existence of two non-native gammarideans (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

et al. 2009

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Substrate choice, swimming activity and risk to predation by burbot (Lota lota) of the well established Gammarus roeselii and the invader Dikerogammarus villosus were studied in mixed and single-species aquarium experiments. We used stones, gravel and aquatic weeds (Elodea, Chara) as substrates. We hypothesized that both species have different substrate preferences and that substrate affects the predation risk. We also assumed that presence of D. villosus influences substrate preference and predation risk of G. roeselii since the invader is known to affect the behavior of other gammarids. Adults of D. villosus in single species experiments and juveniles in mixed and single species experiments were evenly distributed over the different substrates but adults in mixed species experiments were more likely to prefer stone substrate. In contrast, adults and juveniles of G. roeselii clearly preferred aquatic weeds independent of the presence/absence of the invader. Both species preferred substrates with fissured surface over substrates with smooth surface. Gammarus roeselii was observed swimming more often than D. villosus in the open water but its swimming activity was lower when its preferred substrate was present compared with its swimming activity if non-preferred substrates were present. Predation rate of burbot on D. villosus was comparatively low and independent of the substrate. Burbot consumed many more G. roeselii than D. villosus, both in mixed and single species experiments. But when the preferred substrate of G. roeselii (weeds) was used in the experiments, predation rate of burbot on G. roeselii was somewhat lower than that when non-preferred substrates were present. The results of the experiments support our hypothesis that the gammarids studied here have different substrate preferences and that presence of the preferred substrate can affect predation risk. However, there is no evidence that presence of D. villosus affected substrate choice or predation risk in G. roeselii. We consider that differences in use of spatial niches permit co-existence of G. roeselii and D. villosus in the wild when substrates are diverse. The fact that G. roeselii than D. villosus is more often observed swimming in the open water may explain its higher risk of being captured by fish.

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“…Many benthic organisms are associated with coarse woody habitat (Hoffmann and Hering 2000) or are known to show preferences for certain ranges of velocity (Wellnitz et al 2001;Franken et al 2006). Wood provides hard and persistent surfaces for colonization by macroinvertebrates and may be less subject to burial by flow-driven sediments than mineral substrates.…”

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confidence: 99%

Current velocity as a factor in determining macroinvertebrate assemblages on wood surfaces

Schoen

Merten

Wellnitz

2013

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

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Effects of interstitial refugia and current velocity on growth of the amphipodGammarus pulexLinnaeus

Cited by 31 publications

References 47 publications

Size-assortative pairing in the lotic amphipod Gammarus zaddachi, an examination of hypotheses and the influence of current speed

Size-assortative pairing in the lotic amphipod Gammarus zaddachi, an examination of hypotheses and the influence of current speed

Influence of substrate preference and complexity on co-existence of two non-native gammarideans (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

Current velocity as a factor in determining macroinvertebrate assemblages on wood surfaces

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