Molecular analysis of amphipods in the diets of migrating shorebirds

Novčić, Ivana; Veit, Richard R.; Mizrahi, David; Symondson, William Oliver Christian

doi:10.18194/ws.00043

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Previous studies had demonstrated that while at spring stopover in Delaware Bay, considerable number of shorebirds forages on intertidal marshes and mudflats where they feed on various invertebrates 25,33,34 and where different species accomplish a certain level of spatial segregation. 21 In addition, several species of shorebirds differ in timing of spring migration through the bay, with some species passing earlier than others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weak niche partitioning by migrating shorebirds in a single-food-type environment

Novčić

2019

Avian Biology Research

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This study examined foraging niche partitioning among coexisting species of shorebirds on a sandy beach dominated by a single food type, Horseshoe Crab ( Limulus polyphemus) eggs, where use of foraging microhabitats of limited variety is temporarily restricted due to tidal cycle. The major goal of the study was to examine whether co-occurring species differed in selection of foraging microhabitats and use of feeding techniques. Ruddy Turnstone ( Arenaria interpres), Red Knot ( Calidris canutus), and Sanderling ( Calidris alba) foraged significantly more on sand and gravel compared to pools and swash zone, Semipalmated Sandpiper ( Calidris pusilla) foraged significantly more on sand and gravel compared to swash zone, but not significantly more compared to pools, while differences in use of microhabitats by Dunlin ( Calidris alpina), and Short-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus griseus) were non-significant. Turnstones used digging and turning stones, and pecking significantly more than probing, Semipalmated Sandpipers used pecking significantly more than probing, while all other species used probing significantly more than pecking. Knots and Sanderlings had the highest level of overlap both in use of microhabitats and foraging techniques, while turnstones and dowitchers had the lowest. Ruddy Turnstones were the only birds that used digging and turning stones to obtain food and these two foraging methods seemed to be the most important variables discriminating turnstones from other co-occurring shorebirds. However, despite the slight differences in use of foraging methods and microhabitats by different species, this study documented weak partitioning among shorebirds, particularly between sandpipers and dowitchers. These results indicate that the short-term absence of clear niche partitioning on a local scale may occur in shorebird communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weak niche partitioning by migrating shorebirds in a single-food-type environment

Novčić

2019

Avian Biology Research

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“…The average response distance of C. volutator, at which they retreat deeper into the sediment in the presence of redshank, is 0.6 m (range 0.1 to 1 m) (Stillman et al 2000). Semipalmated sandpipers fed on amphipods at Matts Landing, and presumably other study sites (Novcic et al 2016), so interference through prey depression could be responsible for lower pecking rates when nearest neighbours were close, as the average distance to nearest neighbours was ~ 0.2 m (distance expressed in mean body lengths ± SE was 1.8 ± 0.07). However, we do not have information on the species composition of sampled amphipods, and therefore, we cannot assert that amphipods on our study locations responded to the presence of shorebirds in the same way as C. volutator did.…”

Section: R a F Tmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Each spring, this area attracts large number of shorebirds that capitalize on eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus (L., 1758)) (Myers 1986;Novcic et al 2015). Although large mixed-species flocks forage along sandy beaches where horseshoe crabs spawn (Myers 1986;Botton et al 1994;Tsipoura and Burger 1999), a considerable number of birds also use intertidal marshes and mudflats where they feed on various invertebrates (Burger et al 1997;Tsipoura and Burger 1999;Novcic et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of forager density on feeding rates in spring-staging Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidrispusilla) using different foraging modes

Novčić

Beauchamp²

2018

Can. J. Zool.

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We examined the influence of the density of foragers on feeding rates of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla (Linnaeus, 1766)) while using different foraging modes at a spring stopover site in Delaware Bay, USA. Using dynamic estimates of interindividual distances obtained at short intervals of time, we explored how forager density affected feeding rates when Semipalmated Sandpipers used visual pecking or tactile probing. Pecking rate significantly increased with interindividual distances, whereas probe rate was not affected by density. Our study also showed that in fast-moving foragers, such as Semipalmated Sandpipers, in which the number of nearby foragers and distance to the nearest neighbour continuously change throughout the foraging bout, pecking rates are more affected by nearest neighbour distance than by the number of foragers in their immediate vicinity. In addition, our study implies that foragers using different foraging modes might be differently affected by nearby competitors perhaps in response to prey disturbance by neighbours.

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“…Ref. [36] examined the potential consumption of amphipods by shorebirds during their spring migration through Delaware Bay via the amplification of prey DNA fragments in feces using amphipod-specific primers. Refs.…”

Section: Fecal Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, ref. [36] examined the potential consumption of amphipods by the dunlin Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758), the semipalmated sandpiper C. pusilla (Linnaeus, 1766), the least sandpiper C. minutilla (Vieillot, 1819) and the short-billed dowitcher Limnodromus griseus (Gmelin, 1789) during spring migration through Delaware Bay using the amplification of prey DNA fragments in feces with amphipod-specific primers.…”

Section: Molecular Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Predation by Birds, Cephalopods, Fish and Marine Mammals on Marine Benthic Amphipods

Dauvin

2024

JMSE

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With about 8000 marine benthic species, the amphipod crustaceans form one of the richest animal groups of the worldwide Ocean. They have colonized a wide range of soft- and hard-bottom natural and artificial habitats extending from the intertidal to hadal zones. Moreover, they show a broad size spectrum, with numerous giant species exceeding 20 cm in length and some species smaller than 2 mm. When biofouling artificial hard surfaces, some tube-building species can form very dense populations comprising up to 100,000 individuals per square meter. Amphipods are important prey for fish and mammals. Along with cephalopod juveniles, they are also included in the trophic diet of shorebirds that consume amphipods mostly during the low tide on tidal flats. They display diel migration, which reinforces the predation by demersal fish in the suprabenthic zone just above the sea bed, as well as by pelagic fish in the water column. Despite their importance in terms of biodiversity and trophic transfer, no general overview is available on the role of benthic amphipods in marine ecosystem food webs. Various methods, including laboratory and field experiments, as well as the analysis of stomach contents and DNA extraction, have been used to identify the prey/predator trophic links. Based on an extensive literature review, this study discusses the role of marine benthic amphipods as potential food for higher trophic levels in natural and artificial hard-bottom communities created via the construction of offshore wind farms.

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Molecular analysis of amphipods in the diets of migrating shorebirds

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Weak niche partitioning by migrating shorebirds in a single-food-type environment

Weak niche partitioning by migrating shorebirds in a single-food-type environment

Effect of forager density on feeding rates in spring-staging Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidrispusilla) using different foraging modes

Overview of Predation by Birds, Cephalopods, Fish and Marine Mammals on Marine Benthic Amphipods

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