TY - JOUR
T1 - Do predators condition the distribution of prey within micro habitats? An experiment with stoneflies (plecoptera)
AU - Bo, Tiziano
AU - Fenoglio, Stefano
AU - López-Rodríguez, Manuel Jesús
AU - de Figueroa, José Manuel Tierno
AU - Grenna, Marco
AU - Cucco, Marco
PY - 2010/6
Y1 - 2010/6
N2 - The selection of habitat by macroinvertebrates living in running waters may be influenced by the physical characteristics of the substratum, as well as by the presence of other species. In this study, an artificial river with three different substrata (pebbles, detritus, and leaves) was utilized to analyze the microhabitat preference of two Plecoptera prey species (Amphinemura sulcicollis and Brachyptera risi), both in absence and in presence of a Plecoptera predator species (Perla marginata). In the absence of predators, both prey species showed a clear preference for the leaf microhabitat. When the predators were present, only Brachyptera risi showed a change of microhabitat selection, with a decrease of leaves and an increase of pebbles and detritus utilization. Amphinemura sulcicollis did not change their substratum utilization. This study demonstrates that the presence of a predator may affect microhabitat selection through a switch from the preferred to the less preferred substrata, although not all species change their habitat utilization in response to predator presence.
AB - The selection of habitat by macroinvertebrates living in running waters may be influenced by the physical characteristics of the substratum, as well as by the presence of other species. In this study, an artificial river with three different substrata (pebbles, detritus, and leaves) was utilized to analyze the microhabitat preference of two Plecoptera prey species (Amphinemura sulcicollis and Brachyptera risi), both in absence and in presence of a Plecoptera predator species (Perla marginata). In the absence of predators, both prey species showed a clear preference for the leaf microhabitat. When the predators were present, only Brachyptera risi showed a change of microhabitat selection, with a decrease of leaves and an increase of pebbles and detritus utilization. Amphinemura sulcicollis did not change their substratum utilization. This study demonstrates that the presence of a predator may affect microhabitat selection through a switch from the preferred to the less preferred substrata, although not all species change their habitat utilization in response to predator presence.
KW - Habitat selection
KW - Habitat shift
KW - Predator-prey interaction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77953530649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/iroh.200911228
DO - 10.1002/iroh.200911228
M3 - Article
SN - 1434-2944
VL - 95
SP - 285
EP - 295
JO - International Review of Hydrobiology
JF - International Review of Hydrobiology
IS - 3
ER -