Invasive predator tips the balance of symmetrical competition between native coral-reef fishes

Ecology
Tye L Kindinger

Abstract

The importance of competition and predation in structuring ecological communities is typically examined separately such that interactions between these processes are seldom understood. By causing large reductions in native prey, invasive predators may modify native species interactions. I conducted a manipulative field experiment in The Bahamas to investigate the possibility that the invasive Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) alters competition between planktivorous fairy and blackcap basslets (Gramma loreto and Gramma melacara, respectively). Competition between these coral-reef fishes is known to have symmetrical effects on the juveniles of both species, whereby the feeding positions under reef ledges and growth rates of these individuals are hindered. Following baseline censuses of local populations of competing basslets, I simultaneously manipulated the abundance of lionfish on entire reefs, and the abundance of basslets in local populations under isolated ledges within each reef, resulting in three treatments: unmanipulated control populations of both basslets, reduced abundance of fairy basslet, and reduced abundance of blackcap basslet. For eight weeks, I measured the change in biomass and feeding position of 2-5 c...Continue Reading

References

Feb 7, 2001·The American Naturalist·Jessica GurevitchLarry V Hedges
Dec 26, 2001·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Gary W RoemerFranck Courchamp
Jan 20, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Edwin D Grosholz
Aug 27, 2005·Healthcare Management Forum·Susan Brown
Dec 3, 2005·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Theodore Stankowich, Daniel T Blumstein
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Miguel Clavero, Emili García-Berthou
Aug 2, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Jonathan G Cox, Steven L Lima
Mar 16, 2007·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Pälvi SaloChris R Dickman
May 16, 2008·Biometrical Journal. Biometrische Zeitschrift·Torsten HothornPeter Westfall
Sep 25, 2008·The American Naturalist·P Chesson, N Huntly
Nov 14, 2008·Nature·Peter Chesson, Jessica J Kuang
Feb 3, 2009·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Benjamin M BolkerJada-Simone S White
Oct 28, 2010·Science·Henrique M PereiraMatt Walpole
Jun 24, 2011·Environmental Research·Mads S ThomsenBrian R Silliman
Jan 13, 2012·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Oona M LönnstedtDouglas P Chivers
Apr 10, 2013·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Kevin J GastonJohn Hopkins
Feb 13, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·John C Z WoinarskiPeter L Harrison
Jul 28, 2015·Global Change Biology·Belinda GallardoMontserrat Vilà
Jan 1, 2014·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Stephanie J GreenIsabelle M Côté

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.