The effectiveness of the induced anti-predator behaviour of zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha in the presence of molluscivorous roach Rutilus rutilus

Abstract

We checked whether the induced antipredator defences of zebra mussels are able to affect the predation success of roach, being one of the most efficient zebra mussel predators in Europe. Previously, several anti-predator defences of mussels have been observed in the presence of roach, including stronger attachment, aggregation forming and inhibition of upward movement. However, the actual efficiency of these responses to reduce the mussel vulnerability to predation was unknown. To check the effectiveness of attachment strength, we exposed mussels for 6 (strong attachment), 1 (weak attachment) or 0 (unattached) days in ceramic trays and then presented the trays to fish in an experimental tank. To test the effectiveness of aggregation, we glued mussels to the trays in groups of three (touching one another) or singly using denture glue and exposed them to fish. To check the effect of the vertical position, we glued mussels with denture glue to the bottom and 10, 20 and 30 cm above the bottom of the tank with fish. After 1-h exposure, we determined the percentages of consumed mussels. Roach predation rate was lowest on strongly attached mussels, intermediate on weakly attached mussels and highest on unattached mussels. Aggregated mussels were less frequently consumed than singletons. Conversely, the vertical position of mussels did not affect the roach predation success. Our study demonstrates that the behavioural defences exhibited by zebra mussels can increase their survival in the presence of predators and thus emphasizes the importance of the anti-predator behaviour of this species.

Benthic macro-invertebrate fauna associated with Dreissena mussels in the Meuse River: from incapacitating relationships to facilitation

“…The spatial distributions of C. curvispinum, D. haemobaphes and D. villosus, three well-known Ponto-Caspian amphipods, have changed over time. In that case, the amphipod could be favoured by mussels, but in turn a negative impact of crustaceans on the zebra mussel functioning occurred (Kobak and Kakareko 2011). D. villosus is well known as an aggressive predator (Bollache et al 2008;Van der Velde et al 2009) able to develop in a wide range of substratum types (Devin et al 2003).…”

Anti-predatory responses of the thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus exposed to seawater acidification and hypoxia

“…To consume mussels, crabs have to cut the byssal threads before dislodging the mussels from their surroundings and cracking them open (Elner, 1978). In mussels, some anti-predation responses have been reported, including increases in shell thickness (Wang et al, 2012) and adductor muscle (Reimer and Harms-Ringdahl, 2001), clumping behavior (Cheung et al, 2009;Kobak et al, 2010;Kobak and Kakareko, 2011) and production of byssus threads (Leonard et al, 1999;Wang et al, 2010Wang et al, , 2012Wang et al, , 2013. Byssus threads are proteinous materials secreted by the byssal gland at the base of the foot of mussels for anchorage on hard substratum.…”

Damselfly eggs alter their development rate in the presence of an invasive alien cue but not a native predator cue

“…Predators affect prey by direct consumptive effects, and the presence of predators per se can also impact prey. How and why these nonconsumptive predator effects impact prey are intriguing questions (Ferrari et al, 2010;Kobak & Kakareko, 2011;Sniegula, Nsanzimana, et al, 2019). The presence of chemical signals (cues) coming from a predator, called kairomones, in the environment can trigger a variety of prey responses.…”