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Intoxicated copepods: ingesting toxic phytoplankton leads to risky behaviour
Rachel S Lasley-Rasher1, Kathryn Nagel2, Aakanksha Angra3
1School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Darling Marine Center, 193 Clarks Cove Road, Walpole, ME 04573, USA rachel.lasleyrasher@maine.edu.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|April 29, 2016
Summary
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) species, Alexandrium fundyense, altered the swimming behavior of the copepod Temora longicornis. These changes may increase predator encounters, impacting marine food webs and toxin transfer.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Ecology
- Oceanography
Background:
- Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose significant ecological threats.
- Understanding grazer-HAB interactions is crucial for bloom dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Alexandrium fundyense on the survival, ingestion, egg production, and swimming behavior of the copepod Temora longicornis.
- To assess the potential ecological consequences of altered grazer behavior.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Temora longicornis to Alexandrium fundyense.
- Monitoring of copepod survival, ingestion rates, and egg production.
- Analysis of swimming behavior (speed, path straightness) post-exposure.
- Modeling of predator encounter rates.
Main Results:
- Alexandrium fundyense was readily ingested by Temora longicornis.
- Copepod survival and fitness were not significantly affected.
- Swimming behavior was significantly altered, with increased speed and path straightness persisting after exposure.
- Models predicted a 25-56% increase in predator encounter frequency.
Conclusions:
- Ingestion of Alexandrium fundyense by Temora longicornis induces behavioral changes that can increase predation risk.
- Altered grazer behavior has implications for HAB termination and the fate of HAB toxins in marine ecosystems.
- Further research is needed on the broader impacts of HABs on zooplankton behavior and food web dynamics.
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