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Meira A, Byers JE, Sousa R. A global synthesis of predation on bivalves. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1015-1057. [PMID: 38294132 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Predation is a dominant structuring force in ecological communities. In aquatic environments, predation on bivalves has long been an important focal interaction for ecological study because bivalves have central roles as ecosystem engineers, basal components of food webs, and commercial commodities. Studies of bivalves are common, not only because of bivalves' central roles, but also due to the relative ease of studying predatory effects on this taxonomic group. To understand patterns in the interactions of bivalves and their predators we synthesised data from 52 years of peer-reviewed studies on bivalve predation. Using a systematic search, we compiled 1334 studies from 75 countries, comprising 61 bivalve families (N = 2259), dominated by Mytilidae (29% of bivalves), Veneridae (14%), Ostreidae (8%), Unionidae (7%), and Dreissenidae and Tellinidae (6% each). A total of 2036 predators were studied, with crustaceans the most studied predator group (34% of predators), followed by fishes (24%), molluscs (17%), echinoderms (10%) and birds (6%). The majority of studies (86%) were conducted in marine systems, in part driven by the high commercial value of marine bivalves. Studies in freshwater ecosystems were dominated by non-native bivalves and non-native predator species, which probably reflects the important role of biological invasions affecting freshwater biodiversity. In fact, while 81% of the studied marine bivalve species were native, only 50% of the freshwater species were native to the system. In terms of approach, most studies used predation trials, visual analysis of digested contents and exclusion experiments to assess the effects of predation. These studies reflect that many factors influence bivalve predation depending on the species studied, including (i) species traits (e.g. behaviour, morphology, defence mechanisms), (ii) other biotic interactions (e.g. presence of competitors, parasites or diseases), and (iii) environmental context (e.g. temperature, current velocity, beach exposure, habitat complexity). There is a lack of research on the effects of bivalve predation at the population and community and ecosystem levels (only 7% and 0.5% of studies respectively examined impacts at these levels). At the population level, the available studies demonstrate that predation can decrease bivalve density through consumption or the reduction of recruitment. At the community and ecosystem level, predation can trigger effects that cascade through trophic levels or effects that alter the ecological functions bivalves perform. Given the conservation and commercial importance of many bivalve species, studies of predation should be pursued in the context of global change, particularly climate change, acidification and biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Meira
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
| | - James E Byers
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ronaldo Sousa
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
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Roberson EJ, Chips MJ, Carson WP, Rooney TP. Deer herbivory reduces web-building spider abundance by simplifying forest vegetation structure. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2538. [PMID: 27703868 PMCID: PMC5047144 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indirect ecological effects are a common feature of ecological systems, arising when one species affects interactions among two or more other species. We examined how browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) indirectly affected the abundance and composition of a web-building spider guild through their effects on the structure of the ground and shrub layers of northern hardwood forests. We examined paired plots consisting of deer-free and control plots in the Allegheny Plateau region Pennsylvania and Northern Highlands region of Wisconsin. We recorded the abundance of seven types of webs, each corresponding to a family of web-building spiders. We quantified vegetation structure and habitat suitability for the spiders by computing a web scaffold availability index (WSAI) at 0.5 m and 1.0 m above the ground. At Northern Highlands sites, we recorded prey availability. Spider webs were twice as abundant in deer-free plots compared to control plots, while WSAI was 7–12 times greater in deerfree plots. Prey availability was lower in deer-free plots. With the exception of funnel web-builders, all spider web types were significantly more abundant in deer-free plots. Both deer exclusion and the geographic region of plots were significant predictors of spider community structure. In closed canopy forests with high browsing pressure, the low density of tree saplings and shrubs provides few locations for web-building spiders to anchor webs. Recruitment of these spiders may become coupled with forest disturbance events that increase tree and shrub recruitment. By modifying habitat structure, deer appear to indirectly modify arthropod food web interactions. As deer populations have increased in eastern North America over the past several decades, the effects of deer on web-building spiders may be widespread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Roberson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Michael J Chips
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Pittsburgh Sewer and Water Authority, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Walter P Carson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Thomas P Rooney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States
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Gerwing TG, Drolet D, Hamilton DJ, Barbeau MA. Relative Importance of Biotic and Abiotic Forces on the Composition and Dynamics of a Soft-Sediment Intertidal Community. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147098. [PMID: 26790098 PMCID: PMC4720360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Top-down, bottom-up, middle-out and abiotic factors are usually viewed as main forces structuring biological communities, although assessment of their relative importance, in a single study, is rarely done. We quantified, using multivariate methods, associations between abiotic and biotic (top-down, bottom-up and middle-out) variables and infaunal population/community variation on intertidal mudflats in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, over two years. Our analysis indicated that spatial structural factors like site and plot accounted for most of the community and population variation. Although we observed a significant relationship between the community/populations and the biotic and abiotic variables, most were of minor importance relative to the structural factors. We suggest that community and population structure were relatively uncoupled from the structuring influences of biotic and abiotic factors in this system because of high concentrations of resources that sustain high densities of infauna and limit exploitative competition. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the infaunal community primarily reflects stochastic spatial events, namely a “first come, first served” process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis G. Gerwing
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - David Drolet
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1G7, Canada
| | - Diana J. Hamilton
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1G7, Canada
| | - Myriam A. Barbeau
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3, Canada
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Pratte I, Tomlik MD, Betsch TA, Braune BM, Milton GR, Mallory ML. Trace elements in eggs of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) breeding in Nova Scotia, Canada. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 100:586-591. [PMID: 26409818 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We provide the first report on trace element concentrations in eggs of common eiders (Somateria mollissima), a coastal benthic foraging sea duck, from Nova Scotia, Canada, and compare those to known values from this species elsewhere. Most trace elements of toxicological concern (Hg, Se, Cd, Cu, Zn) were lower in eider eggs from Nova Scotia than from eider eggs collected farther north in Canada, although As was elevated. Our data provide strong support for a pattern of increasing Hg at higher latitudes for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabeau Pratte
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Molly D Tomlik
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Taylor A Betsch
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Birgit M Braune
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - G Randy Milton
- Department of Natural Resources, 136 Exhibition Street, Kentville, NS B4N 4E5, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
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Commito JA, Commito AE, Platt RV, Grupe BM, Piniak WED, Gownaris NJ, Reeves KA, Vissichelli AM. Recruitment facilitation and spatial pattern formation in soft-bottom mussel beds. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00200.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Kristjánsson TÖ, Jónsson JE, Svavarsson J. Spring diet of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in Breiðafjörður, West Iceland, indicates non-bivalve preferences. Polar Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-012-1238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abundance and energy requirements of eiders (Somateria spp.) suggest high predation pressure on macrobenthic fauna in a key wintering habitat in SW Greenland. Polar Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-011-0968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Murdock JN, Gido KB, Dodds WK, Bertrand KN, Whiles MR. Consumer return chronology alters recovery trajectory of stream ecosystem structure and function following drought. Ecology 2010; 91:1048-62. [DOI: 10.1890/08-2168.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Jenkins SR, Moore P, Burrows MT, Garbary DJ, Hawkins SJ, Ingólfsson A, Sebens KP, Snelgrove PVR, Wethey DS, Woodin SA. COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF NORTH ATLANTIC SHORES: DO DIFFERENCES IN PLAYERS MATTER FOR PROCESS? Ecology 2008; 89:S3-23. [PMID: 19097481 DOI: 10.1890/07-1155.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart R Jenkins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL595AB, United Kingdom.
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Wayland M, Alisauskas RT, Kellett D, Traylor J, Swoboda C, Neugebauer E, Mehl K. Year-to-year correlations in blood metal levels among individuals of two species of North American sea ducks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2007; 150:329-37. [PMID: 17376567 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Revised: 01/23/2007] [Accepted: 01/27/2007] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sea duck populations have declined in North America. Contaminants, especially metals, have been listed as possible contributing factors. Sea ducks are long-lived. Thus, individuals chronically exposed to elevated metal levels may be at greatest risk. Information about long-term exposure (> or =1year) of individuals to metals is absent. To address this information gap, we examined year-to-year correlations among individual White-Winged Scoters and King Eiders in levels of blood cadmium, lead, mercury and selenium. Positive correlations (r> or =0.43), were found in six, five, five and two of seven correlations for cadmium, selenium, lead and mercury. Thus, certain individuals of these species may be exposed over two or more years to higher levels of cadmium, selenium and lead (but apparently not mercury) than other individuals. Single blood samples are appropriate metrics of exposure for studies that examine long-term effects of certain metals on these birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wayland
- Environment Canada, Prairie & Northern Region, 115 Perimeter Rd., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X4, Canada.
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Hori M, Noda T, Nakao S. Effects of avian grazing on the algal community and small invertebrates in the rocky intertidal zone. Ecol Res 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-006-0192-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Vadas, Sr. RL, Wright WA, Beal BF. Biomass and Productivity of Intertidal Rockweeds (Ascophyllum nodosum LeJolis) in Cobscook Bay. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2004. [DOI: 10.1656/1092-6194(2004)11[123:bapoir]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Hamilton DJ, Barbeau MA, Diamond AW. Shorebirds, mud snails, and Corophium volutator in the upper Bay of Fundy, Canada: predicting bird activity on intertidal mud flats. CAN J ZOOL 2003. [DOI: 10.1139/z03-130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The upper Bay of Fundy is a critical staging area for migrating semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla), which feed extensively on the amphipod Corophium volutator. Recent changes in the distributions of birds around the bay have generated interest in understanding the factors that influence shorebirds' habitat use. To examine some of these factors, we surveyed four mud flats during summer 2000. Abundance of shorebirds and density of C. volutator and mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) were assessed in two focused areas and on two broad-scale transects per mud flat. Shorebird abundance varied widely across sites, and was positively correlated with C. volutator availability, though the relationship had little predictive ability. A strong negative relationship was identified between shorebirds and mud snails counted before birds arrived, especially in the focused areas. This relationship probably stems from a negative effect of mud snails on C. volutator. Snails present in July may reduce recruitment of C. volutator, and therefore reduce the prey base for shorebirds arriving later in the summer. By considering mud snail abundance, we have identified a simple and effective method of predicting shorebird habitat use several weeks before birds arrive. This will enhance our ability to study these birds in future, and will contribute to our understanding of shorebird habitat use and movements and the importance of conserving particular mud flats.
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