Quantitative Considerations in Mudflat Ecology

Beninger, Peter G.; Boldina, Inna

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-99194-8_15

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 123 publications

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“…The proportion of inviable oocytes in spawns was considerable; for the cockle C. edule on three sampling dates in 2019 and 2021, the mean percentage of inviable oocytes was 70, 85, and 35 (Table 1). Despite the difficulty of spawning induction in field‐collected animals, and hence the relatively low number of spawns reported here, the effect size is quite large (35%–85% inviable oocytes); for a discussion of effect size and replication in mudflat ecology, see Beninger and Boldina (2018). Furthermore, the convergent data from previous prespawning quantitative histological observations (Table 2) support the inviable oocyte results.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 83%

Evolutionary and ecological insights from vital staining of bivalve oocytes: A Red Queen at the sweepstakes?

et al. 2022

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To determine the proportion of inviable oocytes that are spawned along with normal oocytes in marine bivalves, we turned to a time-honored technique not previously used on invertebrate oocytes: the neutral red vital stain. Despite the difficulty in obtaining induced spawns from field-collected Cerastoderma edule (L), the results and insights from this simple procedure to answer a simple question were unexpected and far-reaching. Mean proportions of inviable oocytes in the spawns of cockle C. edule ranged from 35% to 85%, with the vast majority represented by atresic (autolyzing) oocytes. These levels are in agreement with previous quantitative histological observations of prespawning atresia in both C. edule and the Manila clam Tapes philippinarum. Such elevated prefertilization inviability mirrors the known high level of postfertilization inviability in bivalves. Together, these high levels of inviability may account for much of the early mortality in the type III survivorship curves typical of marine bivalves. The combination of high fecundity and high oocyte inviability suggests a Red Queen-type reproductive dilemma in these species. In addition, the great degree of interindividual variation observed in oocyte inviability suggests that cockles, and perhaps other intertidal bivalves, present a Sweepstakes Reproductive Strategy, in which highly variable individual fecundity confronts a highly variable environment. The neutral red technique promises to be a useful tool for investigating prespawning inviability in other marine taxa, as well as for aquaculture, conservation, restocking, ecophysiology, and environmental monitoring.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 83%

Evolutionary and ecological insights from vital staining of bivalve oocytes: A Red Queen at the sweepstakes?

et al. 2022

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“…Whether the shorebirds are seeking PUFA and/or some other critical biofilm substance for their final migration stages prior to breeding, the research priority is not only to identify such, but also to understand microphytobenthic spatial and temporal distribution and dynamics, in relation to shorebird demand and ultimate breeding success. However, true spatial analysis on mudflats is still very much in its infancy at present, so development of more efficient sampling and statistical techniques is an urgent research need (Beninger and Boldina 2018). Further, a coherent picture of the overall role of this food resource in shorebird physiology also necessitates analysis of associated risks and costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the tip of the tongue: natural history observations that transformed shorebird ecology

Beninger

Elner

2020

Ecosphere

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Citation: Beninger, P. G., and R. W. Elner. 2020. On the tip of the tongue: natural history observations that transformed shorebird ecology. Ecosphere 11(5):Abstract. A new field of shorebird feeding ecology has been opened, stemming directly from natural history observations of previously overlooked morphological and behavioral features. We describe how the pieces of this puzzle were assembled to reveal a fascinating story of small shorebird migration, trophic level shift, and direct feeding upon mudflat superficial biofilm just prior to breeding. Many unexplored avenues of research have arisen, including a trampoline effect of resource timing, the potential trade-off between trophic imperatives and toxic co-products, and the particular utilization of this resource in small, as opposed to large, shorebirds.

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Examining bivalve fecundity: oocyte viability revealed by Neutral Red vital staining

2021

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Quantitative Considerations in Mudflat Ecology

Cited by 3 publications

References 123 publications

Evolutionary and ecological insights from vital staining of bivalve oocytes: A Red Queen at the sweepstakes?

Evolutionary and ecological insights from vital staining of bivalve oocytes: A Red Queen at the sweepstakes?

On the tip of the tongue: natural history observations that transformed shorebird ecology

Examining bivalve fecundity: oocyte viability revealed by Neutral Red vital staining

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