Energy sources and ecological role of crayfishes in an Ozark stream: insights from stable isotopes and gut analysis

Whitledge, Gregory W.; Rabení, Charles F.

doi:10.1139/cjfas-54-11-2555

Cited by 141 publications

(178 citation statements)

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“…Both G. pulex and A. aquaticus function as shredders processing these basal resources within freshwater systems; A. aquaticus was significantly reduced in all crayfish treatments, and G. pulex in the mixed treatment, which infers that reduction in detrital leaves was predominantly due to direct consumption from crayfish. Previous results of gut content analysis similarly infer greater consumption of detritus among adults (Reynolds and O'Keeffe, 2005) which may be explained by lower energy demands for growth within the adult life-stage compared to juveniles (Whitledge and Rabeni, 1997); indeed, our juvenile crayfish showed a three fold higher increase in mass than adults during the experiment. However, adults have been shown to adopt a more protein rich diet comprising a greater proportion of macroinvertebrates during times of high energy demand (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community

Rosewarne

Mortimer

Dunn

2013

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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Key-words:crayfish, mesocosm, ontogenic diet-shift, Austropotamobius pallipes, conservationThe demise of Britain's only native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet)) has prompted conservation-led translocations to safe isolated stillwaters (Ark sites). Many translocations represent introductions rather than re-stocking; hence it is important to ensure that there will not be a detrimental impact on communities already present. Current knowledge is insufficient to predict likely effects, although gut contents analyses suggest that A. pallipes is omnivorous and exhibits ontogenic diet shifts. A mesocosm study was conducted with the aim to first, determine community impacts of introducing A. pallipes on the benthic invertebrate community, and second investigate if impacts vary with crayfish life-stage. All crayfish life-stages strongly reduced shredder and grazer abundance, particularly thin-shelled Lymnaea snails. The small snail Physa fontinalis was preferentially consumed by juveniles, perhaps reflecting different preyhandling ability. Adults showed greater reliance on terrestrially derived detritus compared to juveniles. There were limited effects on other trophic levels, although by reducing shredders that process basal resources, crayfish impacts may be felt through the community in the long-term. RÉSUMÉImpacts dépendant de la taille de l'écrevisse à pattes blanches (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) sur la communauté littorale Mots-clés :écrevisse, mésocosmes, changement ontogénique de régime, Austropotamobius pallipes, conservation L'effondrement en Grande-Bretagne de la seule espèce indigène d'écrevisse Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet) a incité les transferts à but de conservation dans des milieux aquatiques isolés et sûrs (sites Ark). De nombreuses translocations représentent des introductions plutôt que la reconstitution de stocks, et il est important de s'assurer qu'il n'y aura pas un impact négatif sur les communautés déjà présentes. Les connaissances actuelles sont insuffisantes pour prévoir les effets probables, bien que les analyses des contenus stomacaux suggèrent que A. pallipes est omnivore et présente des changements ontogéniques de régime. Une étude en mésocosmes a été menée dans le but d'abord, de déterminer les impacts de l'introduction d'A. pallipes sur la communauté d'invertébrés benthiques, puis d'étudier si les effets varient en fonction du stade de vie des écrevisses. Tous les stades de vie de l'écrevisse ont fortement réduit l'abondance des déchique-teurs et des brouteurs, en particulier les escargots Lymnaea à coquilles minces. Le petit escargot Physa fontinalis a été préférentiellement consommé par les jeunes,

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community

Rosewarne

Mortimer

Dunn

2013

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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“…The main prey taxa were Chironomidae larvae, Cladocera and Ephemeroptera larvae, of which the latter tended to be positively selected. A similar high importance of Chironomidae larvae in the diet of Orconectes luteus and O. punctimanus was reported by Whitledge and Rabeni (1997), and a preference for Chironomidae and Ephemeroptera larvae is also known for P. clarkii (Alcorlo et al, 2004). Orconectes immunis positively selected for slow-moving or immobile prey that could be easily captured, such as Dreissena polymorpha and Trichoptera, whereas sediment-dwelling prey, such as Oligochaeta, were significantly underrepresented in the O. immunis stomachs.…”

Section: > Feeding Ecologysupporting

confidence: 66%

Understanding invasion success: life-history traits and feeding habits of the alien crayfishOrconectes immunis(Decapoda, Astacida, Cambaridae)

Chucholl

2012

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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In the present study, the life history and diet of the highly successful North American invader Orconectes immunis was assessed for the first time in its introduced European range. In 2007, O. immunis population dynamics were monitored in a typical backwater habitat using unbaited funnel traps, and its life history was analysed using Von Bertalanffy's growth function. Juveniles hatched as early as March and may attain sexual maturity at the end of their first summer. The adult population moulted up to four times during the summer months, with the non-breeding form (II) lasting for a remarkably short time period. The high growth rate of O. immunis was combined with a short longevity, which was estimated at 2.5 years. The fecundity ranged from 119 to 495 pleopodal eggs. The stomach contents were dominated by detritus, followed by macroinvertebrates and macrophytes, and no ontogenetic shift in diet was observed. The ability to prey on a wide array of invertebrate taxa presumably supports the sustained high growth rate of O. immunis. The presented data provide evidence that O. immunis exhibits a strongly r-selected life history and omnivorous feeding habits. These ecological properties have often been linked to successful invaders and enhance the invasiveness of O. immunis.

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“…Increase in length seems to be followed by a dietary shift (Reynolds & O'Keeffe 2005). This has been mentioned by other researchers, who claim that animal material is a more important component in the diet of juveniles, which have a faster growth rate compared with adults (Ilheù & Bernardo 1993;O'Brien 1995;Whitledge & Rabeni 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Feeding habits of the crayfishAustropotamobius pallipes(Decapoda, Astacidae) in a brook in Latium (central Italy)

Scalici¹,

Gibertini²

2007

Italian Journal of Zoology

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The several studies regarding the feeding habits of freshwater decapods have provided a few detailed descriptions of their natural diets and have seldom analysed variations in their feeding habits due to season, size, age, and changes in their physiological state. This situation led us to analyse the stomach content of different age classes of the crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, in order to increase the knowledge available on this species' diet. Ingestion index, vacuity frequency, and occurrence frequency were calculated; then, a graphical representation was carried out only for the animal component (mainly insect larvae) observed within the stomach. The results show A. pallipes to be an omnivorous and opportunistic animal. Its diet includes the exploitation of more easily accessible vegetal and detritus resources, which are the main sources of energy and proteins in freshwater ecosystems. Invertebrates are very important for the crayfish diet; in fact, the animal component, and in particular Tricoptera, Diptera, and shellfish, plays a very important role for juveniles and adult females. Feeding strategies might reduce competition between sexes, satisfying their energetic and nutritional needs. The acquired knowledge of the crayfish trophic niche may be used, for example, to improve the diet of animals kept in captivity.

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Energy sources and ecological role of crayfishes in an Ozark stream: insights from stable isotopes and gut analysis

Cited by 141 publications

References 45 publications

Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community

Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community

Understanding invasion success: life-history traits and feeding habits of the alien crayfishOrconectes immunis(Decapoda, Astacida, Cambaridae)

Feeding habits of the crayfishAustropotamobius pallipes(Decapoda, Astacidae) in a brook in Latium (central Italy)

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