The role of the invasive bivalve Ensis directus as food source for fish and birds in the Dutch coastal zone

Tulp, Ingrid; Craeymeersch, Johan; Leopold, M.F.; Damme, C.J.G. van; Fey, Frouke; Verdaat, Hans

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2010.07.008

Cited by 47 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Razor clams were accidently introduced to the Wadden Sea with ballast water in 1978 (Dannheim & Rumohr, 2012; Freudendahl, Nielsen, Jensen, & Jensen, 2010; von Cosel, Dörjes, & Mühlenhardt‐Siegel, 1982), and the species has since extended its range substantially over the last three decades (Dekker & Beukema, 2012). Common eiders, common scoters, and various shorebird and gull species regularly use this new source of food (Swennen, Leopold, & Stock, 1985; Tulp et al, 2010). Compared with other bivalve species, razor clams represent an energy‐rich prey organism with a good shell–flesh‐ratio (own unpublished data).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Enners¹,

Schwemmer²,

Corman³

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) are opportunistic predators that prefer to forage in the intertidal zone, but an increasing degree of terrestrial foraging has recently been observed. We therefore aimed to analyze the factors influencing foraging behavior and diet composition in the German Wadden Sea. Gulls from three breeding colonies on islands at different distances from the mainland were equipped with GPS data loggers during the incubation seasons in 2012–2015. Logger data were analyzed for 37 individuals, including 1,115 foraging trips. Herring gulls breeding on the island furthest from the mainland had shorter trips (mean total distance = 12.3 km; mean maximum distance = 4.2 km) and preferred to feed on the tidal flats close to the colony, mainly feeding on common cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). In contrast, herring gulls breeding close to the mainland carried out trips with a mean total distance of 26.7 km (mean maximum distance = 9.2 km). These gulls fed on the neobiotic razor clams (Ensis leei) in the intertidal zone, and a larger proportion of time was spent in distant terrestrial habitats on the mainland, feeding on earthworms. δ 13C and δ 15N values were higher at the colony furthest from the mainland and confirmed a geographical gradient in foraging strategy. Analyses of logger data, pellets, and stable isotopes revealed that herring gulls preferred to forage in intertidal habitats close to the breeding colony, but shifted to terrestrial habitats on the mainland as the tide rose and during the daytime. Reduced prey availability in the vicinity of the breeding colony might force herring gulls to switch to feed on razor clams in the intertidal zone or to use distant terrestrial habitats. Herring gulls may thus act as an indicator for the state of the intertidal system close to their breeding colony.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Enners¹,

Schwemmer²,

Corman³

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Many abundant aliens in the Wadden Sea belong to the functional group of suspension feeders, i.e., C. gigas, the American slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata, E. americanus (Reise and van Beusekom, 2008;Tulp et al, 2010). Presumably, the reinforced guild of benthic suspension feeders has increased its pressure on small pelagic organisms such as phytoplankton and larvae of benthic invertebrates.…”

Section: How To Manage Alien Species In the Wadden Sea?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within oyster reefs, the native mussels are relegated to dwell in niches between the much larger oysters which results in decreased growth but increased survival due to refuges from crabs and other predators (Eschweiler and Christensen, 2011). The razor clam Ensis americanus has become one of the most abundant shellfish and also an important prey for fish and birds (Freudendahl et al, 2010;Tulp et al, 2010) but the effect on its planktonic food is still unknown and has not been studied yet. Alien plants and large benthic invertebrates function as ecosystem engineers, creating new habitat structures (Wallentinus and Nyberg, 2007;Bouma et al, 2009;Tang and Kristensen, 2010).…”

Section: How To Manage Alien Species In the Wadden Sea?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonnative macrobenthos in the Wadden Sea ecosystem

Buschbaum

Lackschewitz

Reise

2012

Ocean & Coastal Management

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a b s t r a c tAn inventory in the Dutch-German-Danish Wadden Sea revealed a total of 66 nonnative (alien) taxa including 17 tentative cryptogenics in the brackish-marine macrobenthos until 2010, which is close to average compared with similar inventories from other coasts. Although the Wadden Sea is known for the largest sedimentary tidal flats in the world, most aliens encountered were fouling at harbor walls, pontoons in marinas, at hard structures for coastal defense but also in epibenthic mussel and oyster beds. Recent qualitative rapid assessments focusing on port localities have substantially improved knowledge on introduced species in the Wadden Sea. Nonnative species have pervaded algal and invertebrate communities, and the guild of suspension feeders became particularly strengthened by aliens which took advantage of a recent phase with relatively warm years. Most alien species were not directly introduced into the Wadden Sea but have spread secondarily from adjacent coasts with more active harbors or shellfish cultures. We suggest that aliens which have already established in the Wadden Sea ecosystem should be tolerated to avoid ongoing manipulations in eco-evolutionary developments in this protected nature area. Mitigation of the advancing tide of invasive aliens should focus on vector control (shipping and open aquacultures) as well as on early detection with attempts of eradication during the initial phase of invasions on a scale of the entire European Atlantic coast of which the Wadden Sea ecosystem is an integral part.

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“…In the regions where E. directus was introduced, interspecific competition with their native counterparts occurs for food and space. The species presents frequent mass mortality events (Vierna et al 2012;Cadée et al 1994) during which dead razor clams accumulate on beaches and become an important source of food for seabirds (Freudendahl et al 2010;Tulp et al 2010). The decomposition of organisms has a negative effect on tourism (odors and sharp shells on the sand) and can damage fishermen's trawls (Dewarumez et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate-induced range shifts of the American jackknife clam Ensis directus in Europe

et al. 2014

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Mapping the future potential distribution of alien species has become an issue of great concern. Ecological niche models are increasingly used to forecast the spatial range of introduced species in the context of climate warming. Here, we studied the potential spread of the American jackknife clam Ensis directus into European waters. E. directus, a marine bivalve native to the American coasts, was observed in Europe for the first time in the German Bight at the end of the 1970s. Afterwards, the clam quickly colonized the surrounding waters of the North Sea. Although many studies focused on its biology, ecology and colonization, the extent to which E. directus may invade European and Nordic seas remained poorly known. In this study, we used two ecological niche models (ENMs), calibrated on the native area of the mollusk, to evaluate the potential distributional range of the bivalve over European seas. Under current environmental conditions, E. directus should continue to progress towards the southern coasts of France and may also invade new areas in the Adriatic Sea. Projections for the end of the century suggest that the probability of occurrence of E. directus increases from Denmark to France with both ENMs. The Tunisian coasts may also become a new suitable area for the mollusk but the results of the two ENMs differ for this region. Therefore, contrary to what is often observed, a southward range expansion of E. directus is probable, especially as climate will get warmer.

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The role of the invasive bivalve Ensis directus as food source for fish and birds in the Dutch coastal zone

Cited by 47 publications

References 31 publications

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Intercolony variations in movement patterns and foraging behaviors among herring gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in the eastern Wadden Sea

Nonnative macrobenthos in the Wadden Sea ecosystem

Climate-induced range shifts of the American jackknife clam Ensis directus in Europe

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