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Sublethal effects and predator-prey interactions: implications for ecological risk assessment
Amy C Brooks1, Paul N Gaskell, Lorraine L Maltby
1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield SO10 2TN, United Kingdom.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|July 4, 2009
Summary
Sublethal cadmium exposure alters prey behavior, increasing vulnerability to predators. These effects on predator-prey interactions are not predicted by single-species toxicity tests, highlighting the need for ecological risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Ecotoxicology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Predator-Prey Dynamics
Background:
- Ecological risk assessments often overlook species interactions.
- Contaminant effects on single species may not reflect real-world ecosystem impacts.
- Predator-prey interactions can be influenced by sublethal contaminant effects on prey behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how sublethal contaminant effects on prey influence predator-prey interactions.
- Examine the role of prey behavioral changes in predation.
- Compare impacts on different predator hunting strategies (ambush vs. active).
Main Methods:
- Used three prey species (Asellus aquaticus, Cloion dipterum, Chironomus riparius) and two predator species (Ischnura elegans, Notonecta glauca).
- Exposed prey to sublethal cadmium concentrations.
- Observed predation rates and prey selection by predators with different hunting strategies.
Main Results:
- Cadmium-exposed Chironomus riparius showed reduced responsiveness, increasing vulnerability to active predators.
- Sublethal cadmium exposure altered prey susceptibility to ambush predators.
- Prey behavioral changes influenced predation rates, especially for immobilized prey.
Conclusions:
- Sublethal contaminant effects on prey behavior can significantly alter predator-prey dynamics.
- Ecological risk assessments should incorporate species interactions for accurate predictions.
- Contaminant-induced changes in prey survival may be missed by single-species toxicity tests.
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