Comparing food-web impacts of a native invertebrate and an invasive fish as predators in small floodplain wetlands
Susie S. Ho A B C , Nick R. Bond A B and P. Sam Lake A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia.
B eWater Cooperative Research Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Susie.Ho@monash.edu
Marine and Freshwater Research 62(4) 372-382 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10222
Submitted: 23 August 2010 Accepted: 27 January 2011 Published: 28 April 2011
Abstract
Gambusia holbrooki is an invasive predatory poeciliid fish in wetlands of south-eastern Australia, where it coexists with the native waterbug Anisops thienemanni (Notonectidae). Gambusia has been shown to produce trophic cascades, leading to increased algal biomass following invasion, whereas these effects relative to the often-dominant invertebrate predator Anisops are unknown. Given its flexible diet, we predicted that Gambusia would feed more broadly than Anisops, thereby reducing the abundance of zooplankton grazers, and increasing chlorophyll a. We tested this hypothesis in experimental 110-L wetland mesocosms, using Gambusia and Anisops alone and in combination, in addition to no-predator treatments. We ran two experiments lasting 91 and 35 days, respectively. Both fish and macroinvertebrates generated weak trophic cascades, resulting in minor increases in chlorophyll a above concentrations in control treatments. Gambusia, in lowering total zooplankton abundances, triggered a larger, although still relatively small, algal response relative to Anisops. Impacts of both predators on dominant invertebrate grazers (e.g. Simocephalus spp., copepod nauplii) were similar, although Anisops was associated with an increase in ostracod (Newnhamia sp.) numbers. The similar trophic role of the two predators on algae was unexpected, given their different effects on planktonic communities and their very different taxonomic positions and zoogeographic origins.
Additional keywords: Anisops, Gambusia, prey preference, top-down control, trophic cascade.
References
Agrawal, A. A. (1998). Algal defense, grazers, and their interactions in aquatic trophic cascades. Acta Oecologica 19, 331–337.| Algal defense, grazers, and their interactions in aquatic trophic cascades.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Angeler, D. G., Alvarez-Cobelas, M., Sanchez-Carrillo, S., and Rodrigo, M. A. (2002). Assessment of exotic fish impacts on water quality and zooplankton in a degraded semi-arid floodplain wetland. Aquatic Sciences 64, 76–86.
| Assessment of exotic fish impacts on water quality and zooplankton in a degraded semi-arid floodplain wetland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XksVKrs70%3D&md5=f189ab82b84064cb8e8a583ad9b18061CAS |
APHA (1998). ‘Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.’ 19th edn. (American Public Health Association: Washington, DC.)
Arthington, A. H. (1991). Ecological and genetic impacts of introduced and translocated freshwater fishes in Australia. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48, 33–43.
Ayala, J. R., Rader, R. B., Belk, M. C., and Schaalje, G. B. (2007). Ground-truthing the impact of invasive species: spatio-temporal overlap between native least chub and introduced western mosquitofish. Biological Invasions 9, 857–869.
| Ground-truthing the impact of invasive species: spatio-temporal overlap between native least chub and introduced western mosquitofish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Balcombe, S. R., Bunn, S. E., McKenzie-Smith, F. J., and Davies, P. M. (2005). Variability of fish diets between dry and flood periods in an arid zone floodplain river. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 1552–1567.
| Variability of fish diets between dry and flood periods in an arid zone floodplain river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barry, M. J. (1997). Effects of food limitation, notonectid predation, and temperature on the population dynamics of Daphnia carinata. Internationale Revue der Gesamten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie 82, 545–562.
| Effects of food limitation, notonectid predation, and temperature on the population dynamics of Daphnia carinata.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Batzer, D. P., and Resh, V. H. (1991). Trophic interactions among a beetle predator, a chironomid grazer, and periphyton in a seasonal wetland. Oikos 60, 251–257.
| Trophic interactions among a beetle predator, a chironomid grazer, and periphyton in a seasonal wetland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bence, J. R., and Murdoch, W. W. (1982). Gambusia as a predator upon Notonecta: laboratory experiments. Proceedings of the California Mosquito and Vector Control Association 50, 51–53.
Benndorf, J., Boing, W., Koop, J., and Neubauer, I. (2002). Top-down control of phytoplankton: the role of time scale, lake depth and trophic state. Freshwater Biology 47, 2282–2295.
| Top-down control of phytoplankton: the role of time scale, lake depth and trophic state.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blanco, S., Romo, S., and Villena, M. J. (2004). Experimental study on the diet of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) under different ecological conditions in a shallow lake. International Review of Hydrobiology 89, 250–262.
| Experimental study on the diet of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) under different ecological conditions in a shallow lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blaustein, L., Kotler, B. P., and Ward, D. (1995). Direct and indirect effects of a predatory backswimmer (Notonecta maculata) on community structure of desert temprary pools. Ecological Entomology 20, 311–318.
| Direct and indirect effects of a predatory backswimmer (Notonecta maculata) on community structure of desert temprary pools.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cadwallader, P. L. (1996). ‘Overview of the Impacts of Introduced Salmonids on Australian Native Fauna.’ (Environment Australia: Canberra.)
Cardona, L. (2006). Trophic cascades uncoupled in a coastal marsh ecosystem. Biological Invasions 8, 835–842.
| Trophic cascades uncoupled in a coastal marsh ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carpenter, S. R., Kitchell, J. F., and Hodgson, J. R. (1985). Cascading trophic interactions and lake productivity. BioScience 35, 634–639.
| Cascading trophic interactions and lake productivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crowl, T. A., Townsend, C. R., and McIntosh, A. R. (1992). The impact of introduced brown and rainbow trout on native fish: the case of Australasia. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 2, 217–241.
| The impact of introduced brown and rainbow trout on native fish: the case of Australasia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
De Deckker, P. (1983). Notes on the ecology and distribution of non-marine ostracods in Australia. Hydrobiologia 106, 223–234.
| Notes on the ecology and distribution of non-marine ostracods in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dudgeon, D., Arthington, A. H., Gessner, M. O., Kawabata, Z. I., Knowler, D. J., et al. (2006). Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 81, 163–182.
| Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16336747PubMed |
Eby, L. A., Roach, W. J., Crowder, L. B., and Stanford, J. A. (2006). Effects of stocking-up freshwater food webs. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 21, 576–584.
| Effects of stocking-up freshwater food webs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eitam, A., Blaustein, L., and Mangel, M. (2002). Effects of Anisops sardea (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) on oviposition habitat selection by mosquitoes and other dipterans and on community structure in artificial pools. Hydrobiologia 485, 183–189.
| Effects of Anisops sardea (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) on oviposition habitat selection by mosquitoes and other dipterans and on community structure in artificial pools.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garcia-Berthou, E. (1999). Food of introduced mosquitofish: ontogenetic diet shift and prey selection. Journal of Fish Biology 55, 135–147.
| Food of introduced mosquitofish: ontogenetic diet shift and prey selection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Geddes, M. C. (1986). Understanding zooplankton communities in farm dams: the importance of predation. In ‘Limnology in Australia’. (Eds P. De Deckker and W. D. Williams.) pp. 387–401. (CSIRO: Melbourne.)
Gijwicz, Z. M., and Rowan, M. G. (1984). Survival of Cyclops abyssorum tatricus (Copepoda, Crustacea) in alpine lakes stocked with planktivorous fish. Limnology and Oceanography 29, 1290–1299.
| Survival of Cyclops abyssorum tatricus (Copepoda, Crustacea) in alpine lakes stocked with planktivorous fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gilbert, J. J., and Burns, C. W. (1999). Some observations on the diet of the backswimmer, Anisops wakefieldi (Hemiptera: Notonectidae). Hydrobiologia 412, 111–118.
| Some observations on the diet of the backswimmer, Anisops wakefieldi (Hemiptera: Notonectidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Glover, C. J. M. (1989). Fishes. In ‘Natural History of Dalhousie Springs’. (Eds W. Zeidler and W. F. Ponder.) pp. 89–112. (South Australian Museum: Adelaide.)
Hampton, S. E., and Gilbert, J. J. (2001). Observations of insect predation on rotifers. Hydrobiologia 446/447, 115–121.
| Observations of insect predation on rotifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hodgson, J. Y. S. (2005). A trophic cascade synthesis: review of top-down mechanisms regulating lake ecosystems. BIOS 76, 137–144.
| A trophic cascade synthesis: review of top-down mechanisms regulating lake ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtFyqtbnM&md5=263010e2a4141fc695b913f665f3dc90CAS |
Howe, E., Howe, C., Lim, R., and Burchett, M. (1997). Impact of the introduced poeciliid Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1959) on the growth and reproduction of Pseudomugil signifer (Kner, 1865) in Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 48, 425–434.
| Impact of the introduced poeciliid Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1959) on the growth and reproduction of Pseudomugil signifer (Kner, 1865) in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hurlbert, S. H., and Mulla, M. S. (1981). Impacts of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation on plankton communities. Hydrobiologia 83, 125–151.
| Impacts of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation on plankton communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hurlbert, S. H., Zedler, J., and Fairbanks, D. (1972). Ecosystem alteration by mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation. Science 175, 639–641.
| Ecosystem alteration by mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cvjvVemtw%3D%3D&md5=89809e4ad801bcbcc295f410487b5f20CAS | 17808805PubMed |
Ivantsoff, W., and Aarn, (1999). Detection of predation on Australian native fishes by Gambusia holbrooki. Marine and Freshwater Research 50, 467–468.
Koehn, J. D. (2004). Carp (Cyprinus carpio) as a powerful invader in Australian waterways. Freshwater Biology 49, 882–894.
| Carp (Cyprinus carpio) as a powerful invader in Australian waterways.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kottelat, M., and Whitten, T. (1996). Freshwater biodiversity in Asia with special reference to fish. World Bank Technical Paper No. 343, Washington, DC.
Krupp, F. (1992). The establishment of the North-American mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, in Syrian inland waters. Zoology in the Middle East 6, 45–50.
Lane, P. A. (1979). Vertebrate and invertebrate predation intensity on freshwater zooplankton communities. Nature 280, 391–393.
| Vertebrate and invertebrate predation intensity on freshwater zooplankton communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 460413PubMed |
Leprieur, F., Beauchard, O., Blanchet, S., Oberdorff, T., and Brosse, S. (2008). Fish invasions in the world’s river systems: when natural processes are blurred by human activities. PLoS Biology 6, 404–410.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXktVyktr8%3D&md5=6766c7fca3c58ec99909a3da400f5af8CAS |
Lindholm, M., and Hessen, D. O. (2007). Competition and niche partitioning in a floodplain ecosystem: a cladoceran community squeezed between fish and invertebrate predation. African Zoology 42, 158–164.
| Competition and niche partitioning in a floodplain ecosystem: a cladoceran community squeezed between fish and invertebrate predation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lloyd, L. N., and Tomasov, J. F. (1985). Taxonomic status of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis (Poeciliidae), in Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36, 447–451.
| Taxonomic status of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis (Poeciliidae), in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lloyd, L. N., Arthington, A. H., and Milton, D. A. (1986). The mosquitofish – a valuable mosquito control agent or a pest? In ‘The Ecology of Exotic Animals and Plants: Some Australian Case Histories’. (Ed. R. L. Kitching.) pp. 5–25. (John Wiley and Sons: Brisbane.)
Lorenzen, C. J. (1967). Determination of chlorophyll and pheo-pigments: spectrophotometric equations. Limnology and Oceanography 12, 343–346.
| Determination of chlorophyll and pheo-pigments: spectrophotometric equations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF1cXovFOqsQ%3D%3D&md5=3d5b646f8a0872c23fab6c8980806ccdCAS |
Matveev, V. (1995). The dynamics and relative strength of bottom-up vs top-down impacts in a community of subtropical lake plankton. Oikos 73, 104–108.
| The dynamics and relative strength of bottom-up vs top-down impacts in a community of subtropical lake plankton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McIntosh, A. R., and Townsend, C. R. (1996). Interactions between fish, grazing invertebrates and algae in a New Zealand stream: a trophic cascade mediated by fish-induced changes to grazer behaviour? Oecologia 108, 174–181.
| Interactions between fish, grazing invertebrates and algae in a New Zealand stream: a trophic cascade mediated by fish-induced changes to grazer behaviour?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McNeil, D. G. (2004). Ecophysiology and behaviour of Ovens River floodplain fish: hypoxia tolerance and the role of the physicochemical environment in structuring Australian billabong fish communities. Ph.D. Thesis, La Trobe University, Bundoora.
Meffe, G. K. (1985). Predation and species replacement in American Southwestern fishes: a case study. The Southwestern Naturalist 30, 173–187.
| Predation and species replacement in American Southwestern fishes: a case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller, R. R., Williams, J. D., and Williams, J. E. (1989). Extinctions of North American fishes during the past century. Fisheries 14, 22–38.
| Extinctions of North American fishes during the past century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murdoch, W. W., and Scott, M. A. (1984). Stability and extinction of laboratory populations of zooplankton preyed on by the backswimmer Notonecta. Ecology 65, 1231–1248.
| Stability and extinction of laboratory populations of zooplankton preyed on by the backswimmer Notonecta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nagdali, S. S., and Gupta, P. K. (2002). Impact of mass mortality of a mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis on the ecology of a fresh water eutrophic lake (Lake Naini Tal, India). Hydrobiologia 468, 45–51.
| Impact of mass mortality of a mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis on the ecology of a fresh water eutrophic lake (Lake Naini Tal, India).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ortega-Mayagoitia, E., Rojo, C., and Rodrigo, M. A. (2002). Factors masking the trophic cascade in shallow eutrophic wetlands: evidence from a microcosm study. Archiv fuer Hydrobiologie 155, 43–63.
Pen, L. J., and Potter, I. C. (1991). Reproduction, growth and diet of Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) in a temperate Australian river. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 1, 159–172.
| Reproduction, growth and diet of Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) in a temperate Australian river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Persson, A. (1997). Effects of fish predation and excretion on the configuration of aquatic food webs. Oikos 79, 137–146.
| Effects of fish predation and excretion on the configuration of aquatic food webs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjsVOnsrk%3D&md5=dfd991289dff65fe5c0fe84c19e6c4feCAS |
Pyke, G. H. (2005). A review of the biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 15, 339–365.
| A review of the biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reynolds, J. G., and Geddes, M. C. (1984). Functional response analysis of size-selective predation by the notonectid predator Anisops deanei (Brooks) on Daphnia thomsoni (Sars). Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 35, 725–733.
| Functional response analysis of size-selective predation by the notonectid predator Anisops deanei (Brooks) on Daphnia thomsoni (Sars).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rincon, P. A., Correas, A. M., Morcillo, F., Risueno, P., and Lobon-Cervia, J. (2002). Interaction between the introduced eastern mosquitofish and two autochthonous Spanish toothcarps. Journal of Fish Biology 61, 1560–1585.
| Interaction between the introduced eastern mosquitofish and two autochthonous Spanish toothcarps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rosen, D. E., and Bailey, R. M. (1963). The poeciliid fishes (Cyprinodontiformes), their structure, zoogeography and systematics. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 126, 1–176.
Schaefer, J. F., Heulett, S. T., and Farrell, T. M. (1994). Interactions between two poeciliid fishes (Gambusia holbrooki and Heterandria formosa) and their prey in a Florida marsh. Copeia 1994, 516–520.
| Interactions between two poeciliid fishes (Gambusia holbrooki and Heterandria formosa) and their prey in a Florida marsh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schindler, D. E., Knapp, R. A., and Leavitt, P. R. (2001). Alteration of nutrient cycles and algal production resulting from fish introductions into mountain lakes. Ecosystems 4, 308–321.
| Alteration of nutrient cycles and algal production resulting from fish introductions into mountain lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXltlKjsb8%3D&md5=d0ad44e672ff774535fb2f19a7c8355eCAS |
Scott, M. A., and Murdoch, W. W. (1983). Selective predation by the backswimmer, Notonecta. Limnology and Oceanography 28, 352–366.
| Selective predation by the backswimmer, Notonecta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shurin, J. B. (2001). Interactive effects of predation and dispersal on zooplankton communities. Ecology 82, 3404–3416.
| Interactive effects of predation and dispersal on zooplankton communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, R. E. W., and Pearson, R. G. (1987). The macro-invertebrate communities of temporary pools in an intermittent stream in tropical Queensland. Hydrobiologia 150, 45–61.
| The macro-invertebrate communities of temporary pools in an intermittent stream in tropical Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stoffels, R. J., and Humphries, P. (2003). Ontogenetic variation in the diurnal food and habitat associations of an endemic and an exotic fish in floodplain ponds: consequences for niche partitioning. Environmental Biology of Fishes 66, 293–305.
| Ontogenetic variation in the diurnal food and habitat associations of an endemic and an exotic fish in floodplain ponds: consequences for niche partitioning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Townsend, C. R. (2003). Individual, population, community, and ecosystem consequences of a fish invader in New Zealand streams. Conservation Biology 17, 38–47.
| Individual, population, community, and ecosystem consequences of a fish invader in New Zealand streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Buskirk, J. (1988). Interactive effects of dragonfly predation in experimental pond communities. Ecology 69, 857–867.
| Interactive effects of dragonfly predation in experimental pond communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vanni, M. J. (1988). Freshwater zooplankton community structure: introduction of large invertebrate predators and large herbivores to a small-species community. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 45, 1758–1770.
| Freshwater zooplankton community structure: introduction of large invertebrate predators and large herbivores to a small-species community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vidal, O., Garcia-Berthou, E., Tedesco, P. A., and Garcia-Marin, J. L. (2010). Origin and genetic diversity of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) introduced to Europe. Biological Invasions 12, 841–851.
| Origin and genetic diversity of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) introduced to Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vymazal, J. (1995). ‘Algae and Element Cycling in Wetlands.’ (Lewis Publishers: Chelsea, MI.)
