Typhloplanid flatworms (Mesostoma and related genera): Mechanisms of predation and evidence that they structure aquatic invertebrate communities

Blaustein, Leon; Dumont, Henri J.

doi:10.1007/978-94-009-2067-5_6

Cited by 34 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…I considered that detecting treatment differences for both mosquito species were confounded by the distribution of the flatworm, Mesostoma sp., an important predator of mosquitoes (Case & Washino, 1979;Blaustein, 1990;Blaustein & Dumont, 1990). I thus made adjustments for flatworm abundance with analyses of covariance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Larvivorous fishes fail to control mosquitoes in experimental rice plots

Blaustein

1992

Hydrobiologia

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The individual and interactive effects of mosquitofish (Gambusia afinis Baird and Girard) and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus Rafinesque) populations on densities of mosquito immatures and other aquatic fauna were assessed in experimental rice plots over a 12 week period. Mosquitofish, stocked at a much higher rate (2318 per ha) than is usually used in commercial rice fields, increased 88-fold in numbers per minnow trap over a ten week period. Adult green sunfish (7-10 cm TL), stocked at the same rate as mosquitofish, reproduced in the rice plots, but reproductive success was strongly associated with plot depth. Mosquitofish numbers were significantly lower in plots stocked with green sunfish early in the season but this difference soon disappeared.Significant reductions in densities of the immature stages of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis Coquillet, by the fishes were not demonstrated by analyses of variance and covariance (mosquitofish may have provided some control during the very last week [Blaustein, 19901). Populations of the mosquito, Anopheles freeborni Aitken, were not significantly reduced by mosquitofish except during the last week. A. freeborni populations were significantly higher in the green sunfish treatment than in the control and mosquitofish treatment.Numbers of notonectids (predators of mosquitoes) were depressed in all fish treatments. This may have indirectly contributed to the ineffectiveness of the fishes to control mosquitoes. Other invertebrate predators of mosquitoes were not reduced significantly by the fishes. Similarly, these fishes had little effect on microcrustaceans and chironomids. These fauna, by serving as alternative prey, may have reduced predation intensity on mosquitoes.These results demonstrate that high stocking rates and high population growth of mosquitofish will not necessarily provide control of mosquitoes in rice fields.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Larvivorous fishes fail to control mosquitoes in experimental rice plots

Blaustein

1992

Hydrobiologia

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“…This has been observed with high densities of mesostomid flatworms in the laboratory (Dumont and Carels 1987;Blaustein and Dumont 1990). A chemical toxin contained in the threads they use to capture and paralyze their prey can dissolve into the water and at high predator densities kill prey that have not contacted threads.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Non-consumptive effects of larval Salamandra on crustacean prey: can eggs detect predators?

Blaustein

1997

Oecologia

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Predators affect prey populations not only by prey consumption but also in nonconsumptive ways including modifying prey behavior. I tested the effects of fire salamander larvae (Salamandra infraimmaculata) on populations of co-occurring crustacean species in artificial outdoor pools. I also tested whether these effects were due entirely to prey consumption by Salamandra larvae or alternatively to some nonconsumptive effect. The soil (containing crustacean eggs) added to the artificial pools was collected from a dried-out temporary pool that is inhabited by Salamandra during the early part of the hydroperiod. I randomly assigned the pools to one of three treatments: control, free Salamandra, or caged Salamandra. Free salamander larvae could roam the entire pool and prey upon crustaceans. Caged salamander larvae were placed within a cage with having 250-μm mesh windows. They could not prey upon the crustaceans but could, for example, influence them by chemical cues. Densities of the three dominant crustacean species (Arctodiaptomus similis, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula and Cyzicus sp.) were drastically reduced in both salamander treatments compared to the control. Crustacean densities, however, were not significantly different between the two salamander treatments. One plausible explanation is that crustacean eggs can detect the presence of this predator via chemical cues and delay hatching.

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“…There is mounting evidence that invertebrate benthic predators can play important roles in determining the structure of pond zooplankton communities (Schwartz et al, 1983 ;Schwartz & Hebert, 1986 ;Blaustein, 1990 ;Blaustein & Dumont, 1990) . In ponds lacking species traditionally regarded as predatory, other species may act as facultative predators .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potential prey species in the littoral zone have a suite of adaptations that limit the effectiveness of predators they typically encounter . Active benthic predators, such as flatworms of the genus Mesostoma, discriminate between a variety of cladoceran prey species and have a distinct preference for planktonic species (Schwartz & Hebert, 1982, 1986Blaustein & Dumont, 1990) . Mesostoma ehrenbergii even enters the pelagic zone in pursuit of planktonic prey (Maly, Schoenholtz & Arts, 1980) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mesostoma ehrenbergii even enters the pelagic zone in pursuit of planktonic prey (Maly, Schoenholtz & Arts, 1980) . Given the ubiquity of benthic invertebrates it is possible they are important regulators of zooplankton community diversity and structure (Schwartz et al, 1983 ;Schwartz & Hebert, 1986 ;Blaustein, 1990 ;Blaustein & Dumont, 1990), particularly in shallow habitats lacking vertebrate predators . A common environment lacking vertebrate predators is the seasonal woodland pool .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benthic predators and zooplanktonic prey: predation by Crangonyx shoemakeri (Crustacea; Amphipoda) on Daphnia obtusa (Crustacea; Cladocera)

Schwartz

1992

Hydrobiologia

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Amphipods and cladocerans are common inhabitants of seasonal ponds throughout North America . Although amphipods are usually considered to be benthic detritivores, Crangonyx shoemakeri was found to capture and consume mosquito larvae and Daphnia obtusa . The rate of capture of Daphnia was independent of the amount of decomposing leaf matter available . However, this rate was dependent on prey density and the presence of light, indicating that these amphipods are visual predators . 25

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Typhloplanid flatworms (Mesostoma and related genera): Mechanisms of predation and evidence that they structure aquatic invertebrate communities

Cited by 34 publications

References 28 publications

Larvivorous fishes fail to control mosquitoes in experimental rice plots

Larvivorous fishes fail to control mosquitoes in experimental rice plots

Non-consumptive effects of larval Salamandra on crustacean prey: can eggs detect predators?

Benthic predators and zooplanktonic prey: predation by Crangonyx shoemakeri (Crustacea; Amphipoda) on Daphnia obtusa (Crustacea; Cladocera)

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