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Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: July 30, 2019
Interactions between benthic predators and zooplanktonic prey are affected by turbulent waves
H E Robinson1, C M Finelli, M A R Koehl
1*Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, 1005 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720-3140, USA; Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915, USA.
Integrative and Comparative Biology
|August 15, 2013
Summary
Flowing ocean currents impact benthic predators differently based on feeding strategy. While strong waves increase prey encounters for sea anemones, capture efficiency remains unchanged due to prey loss, unlike motile predators like fish.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Benthic Ecology
- Predator-Prey Dynamics
Background:
- Benthic organisms inhabit environments with complex water flow (currents, waves, turbulence).
- Flowing water delivers planktonic prey to benthic predators but also influences interactions.
- Contrasting feeding strategies exist: passive suspension feeders and motile predators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how turbulent, wavy flow affects prey encounter, capture, and retention by passive benthic suspension feeders.
- To compare the impact of flow on passive suspension feeders versus motile benthic predators.
Main Methods:
- Studied sea anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) feeding on copepods (Acartia spp.) in a wave-generating flume.
- Recorded predator-prey interactions under 'weak' and 'strong' wave flow regimes.
- Measured prey encounter, capture, and retention rates.
Main Results:
- Strong waves significantly increased prey encounter rates for sea anemones.
- Trapping efficiency (retained prey per encountered prey) was similar across flow regimes.
- Increased wave velocity and turbulence did not alter sea anemone feeding rates.
Conclusions:
- While strong flow enhances prey encounters for passive suspension feeders, prey retention is limited by washout.
- Flow effects on benthic zooplanktivore feeding depend critically on predator feeding mode.
- Motile benthic predators benefit more from increased flow due to reduced prey escape and washout.
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