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Plastic changes in tadpole trophic ecology revealed by stable isotope analysis
Stéphane Caut1, Elena Angulo, Carmen Díaz-Paniagua
1Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda. Americo Vespucio s/n, Sevilla, Spain. stephanecaut@gmail.com
Oecologia
|August 24, 2012
Summary
Amphibian larvae (tadpoles) changed their diet when exposed to non-native crayfish, indicating plastic responses to ecological changes. Stable isotope analysis revealed shifts in trophic status and resource use in wetland ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Zoology
Background:
- Amphibian larvae are key wetland organisms influencing energy flow and nutrient cycling.
- Predator and competitor interactions can alter tadpole abundance and foraging, causing cascading effects in food webs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plastic changes in tadpole trophic ecology in response to competitors and predators (native and non-native).
- To assess the effectiveness of stable isotope analysis in tracking dietary shifts in amphibian larvae.
Main Methods:
- Utilized stable isotope analysis (δ15N) to determine trophic status and diet composition.
- Conducted controlled diet experiments to estimate turnover rates and discrimination factors for two anuran species.
- Performed laboratory microcosm experiments manipulating predator (native dragonfly, non-native crayfish) and competitor (conspecific and heterospecific tadpoles) presence.
Main Results:
- Tadpoles significantly shifted their trophic status in the presence of non-native crayfish, increasing macrophyte consumption and decreasing detritus consumption.
- No significant dietary changes were observed in response to native dragonflies or the presence of other tadpole species.
- Stable isotope analysis proved efficient in assessing variations in tadpole trophic status and resource utilization.
Conclusions:
- Non-native crayfish presence induced plastic dietary changes in tadpoles, suggesting perceived risk or competition for resources.
- Tadpole responses to non-native species highlight the importance of considering species interactions in ecological studies.
- Provides baseline isotopic data for future research on amphibian trophic ecology and ecosystem roles.
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