The influence of bioturbation by the sandprawn Callianassa kraussi on feeding and survival of the bivalve Eumarcia paupercula and the gastropod Nassarius kraussianus

Pillay, Deena; Branch, George M.; Forbes, Anthony T.

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2006.10.044

Cited by 47 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Alternatively, sediment turnover may prevent the development of microbial biofilms that bind sediments, thereby enhancing sediment erodability (Pater son & Hagerthey 2001) and resulting in microalgae that were attached to the sediment being washed into the water column (Pillay et al 2007c). Under natural and experimental conditions, sediment erodability is 2-to 3-fold greater in areas with dense beds of C. kraussi relative to sediments lacking this sandprawn (Pillay et al 2007a).The negative effects of Callichirus kraussi on microalgal biomass observed in this experiment are in agreement with previous field and laboratory experiments (Pillay et al 2007a). Under natural conditions, sediments lacking C. kraussi usually have microalgal biomasses 2-to 4-fold greater than those in areas occupied by this sandprawn, while experimental manipulations of C. kraussi densities resulted Our results indicate that by reducing microalgal biomass, Callichirus kraussi can also indirectly affect the growth of Liza richardsonii, leading to reductions in both fish biomass and length.…”

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confidence: 90%

“…This sandprawn feeds on organic material along its burrow walls and can burrow to depths greater than 1 m (Branch & Pringle 1987). Much research has been conducted on C. kraussi, and the engineering effects of this sandprawn have been shown to influence the abundance and distribution of bacteria, microalgae, meiofauna, macrofauna and seagrasses (Branch & Pringle 1987, Siebert & Branch 2005a,b, 2006, Pillay et al 2007a,b,c, 2008.In this experiment, we predict that sediment turnover by Callichirus kraussi will bury microalgae on the sediment surface and indirectly reduce food availability to Liza richardsonii, leading to reductions in the growth of this fish. This mechanism may explain the contrast in the abundance and biomass of L. richardsonii between areas with and without C. kraussi.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Pillay¹,

Williams²,

Whitfield³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The alteration of sediments by bioturbating organisms plays a major role in aquatic ecosystems, from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Several studies have highlighted the ability of bioturbators to alter sedimentary biogeochemical processes and community structure, but the potential influence of bioturbators on pelagic species is unexplored in marine ecology. In the present study, we investigated the direct effects of bioturbation by a southern African burrowing sandprawn, Callichirus kraussi, on primary producers (benthic microalgae) and the indirect effects on the growth of a fish (grey mullet Liza richardsonii) that consumes microalgae. A mesocosm experiment was undertaken in which similar-sized L. richardsonii at 2 densities were exposed to 3 increasing densities of C. kraussi. After 3 wk of exposure to the effects of C. kraussi, the fish were weighed and their lengths measured to calculate their physical condition and growth rates. At the termination of the experiment, the microalgal biomass and sediment turnover were measured in each mesocosm. Higher C. kraussi densities resulted in an increase in sediment turnover and caused reductions in microalgal biomass, which in turn led to a reduction of the biomass and lengths of L. richardsonii. Increasing densities of C. kraussi evidently enhance sediment turnover from burrows to the sediment surface, leading to the burial of microalgae and indirect reductions in food availability to L. richardsonii. This reduction in turn leads to metabolic losses and reductions in the growth of this fish species. These results indicate that benthic bioturbators can have strong effects on aquatic ecosystems, especially by modulating energy flow to nektonic species. KEY WORDS: Bioturbation · Food webs · Marine benthos · Sediment turnover · Benthic-pelagic coupling Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 453: 151-158, 2012, Pillay & Branch 2011. Bioturbating organisms feature prominently in driving changes at both evolutionary and ecological scales. At the evolutionary level, burrowing species and bioturbation have been implicated in the Cambrian-substrate revolution, in which burrowers are thought to have contributed to the transition between pre-and postCambrian animal life in marine sediments (Meysman et al. 2006). Burrowing species, through their bioturbative activities, can also indirectly drive microevolutionary change that ultimately influences the evolution of novel morphology, behaviour and social interactions (Pillay 2010).At the ecological level, bioturbation influences a number of processes and properties, including nutrient fluxes, sediment granulometry and pore-water characteristics (Suchanek 1983, Lohrer et al. 2004, Meysman et al. 2006). These modifications translate into significant effects on the associated softsediment communities. Bioturbators have been shown to influence the community structure, abundance and distribution of the major benthic biotic components (Suchanek 1983, Flach...

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supporting

confidence: 90%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Pillay¹,

Williams²,

Whitfield³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Rhoads & Young (1970) have proposed that larvae of suspension feeders may be buried by sediment turned over by deposit feeders and used this as a mechanism to explain spatial separation between suspension feeders and deposit feeders. However, we propose that since the survival and body condition of suspension feeders are negatively affected by bioturbation (Pillay et al 2007a), their larvae may selectively reject sediments bioturbated by sandprawns by using poorly developed biofilms as a negative settlement cue, as such behaviour would increase their subsequent survival and feeding chances.…”

Section: Importance Of Biofilmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Suspension-feeding organisms have been shown to be susceptible to bioturbation because suspended sediments clog filtration apparatus and reduce filtration rates and body condition (Rhoads & Young 1970, Pillay et al 2007a). Rhoads & Young (1970) have proposed that larvae of suspension feeders may be buried by sediment turned over by deposit feeders and used this as a mechanism to explain spatial separation between suspension feeders and deposit feeders.…”

Section: Importance Of Biofilmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Callianassa kraussi on microbial biofilms and recruitment of macrofauna: a novel hypothesis for adultjuvenile interactions

Pillay¹,

Branch²,

Forbes³

2007

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…In the case of our study, one species capable of these effects is the burrowing sandprawn Callianassa kraussi. This ecosystem engineer turns over sediment at prodigious rates (Branch & Pringle 1987), and its bioturbative activities are powerful structuring agents of marine communities (Siebert & Branch 2005a,b, 2006, 2007, Pillay et al 2007a,b,c, 2008. Bioturbation by this sandprawn negatively affects the abundance of Zostera capensis, and consequently the invertebrates intimately linked to it (Angel et al 2006, Siebert & Branch 2007.…”

Section: Changes In Abundance Of Wading Birds Between 1978 and 2007mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem change in a South African marine reserve (1960–2009): role of seagrass loss and anthropogenic disturbance

Pillay¹,

Branch²,

Griffiths³

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Seagrass ecosystems are disappearing throughout the world, raising several concerns for ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. In the present study we document changes in intertidal sandflat ecosystems over the last 5 decades in Langebaan Lagoon, a marine reserve on the west coast of South Africa, following large-scale losses of seagrass Zostera capensis. Aerial photography and GIS revealed a 38% loss of seagrass at sites in Langebaan Lagoon between 1960 and 2007. Longterm monitoring of one particular site, Klein Oesterwal, indicated a major shift in invertebrate communities between 1983, when Z. capensis was abundant, and 2009, when Z. capensis had virtually disappeared. Abundance and species richness of invertebrates declined significantly over this period. Seagrass-associated species such as the limpets Siphonaria compressa and Fissurella mutabilis, and the starfish Parvulastra exigua, declined almost to extinction locally. Generalists such as the gastropod Assiminea globulus also declined in abundance. However, sandflat species, particularly burrowers, increased in abundance and vertical range. Wading birds also appeared to be affected by changes in seagrass cover. The terek sandpiper, which depends on Z. capensis for feeding, showed 3 local population crashes, each corresponding to periods of seagrass collapse. Abundance of wading birds that were not dependant on this seagrass was more stable. The loss of seagrasses in the system, together with anthropogenic disturbance such as bait harvesting and trampling, may have had severe impacts on invertebrates, the most significant being the virtual extinction locally of the critically endangered limpet S. compressa. Cascading effects on wading birds, possibly through changes in availability of invertebrate prey, were also evident.

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The influence of bioturbation by the sandprawn Callianassa kraussi on feeding and survival of the bivalve Eumarcia paupercula and the gastropod Nassarius kraussianus

Cited by 47 publications

References 21 publications

Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Effects of Callianassa kraussi on microbial biofilms and recruitment of macrofauna: a novel hypothesis for adultjuvenile interactions

Ecosystem change in a South African marine reserve (1960–2009): role of seagrass loss and anthropogenic disturbance

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The influence of bioturbation by the sandprawn Callianassa kraussi on feeding and survival of the bivalve Eumarcia paupercula and the gastropod Nassarius kraussianus

Cited by 47 publications

References 21 publications

Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

Effects of Callianassa kraussi on microbial biofilms and recruitment of macrofauna: a novel hypothesis for adultjuvenile interactions

Ecosystem change in a South African marine reserve (1960–2009): role of seagrass loss and anthropogenic disturbance

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Effects of Callianassa kraussi on microbial biofilms and recruitment of macrofauna: a novel hypothesis for adultjuvenile interactions