桂林地区克氏原螯虾对泽蛙蝌蚪的捕食

克氏原螯虾（Procambarus clarkii）已入侵我国江苏、湖北、江西、安徽等多个省（市）。为研究克氏原螯虾对其生境中主要两栖动物泽蛙（Rana limnocharis）的影响,我们于2006年5-6月对广西桂林地区自然生境中克氏原螯虾和泽蛙蝌蚪的数量和密度进行了调查,7月在室内进行了克氏原螯虾对泽蛙蝌蚪和饰纹姬蛙（Microhyla ornata）蝌蚪的捕食实验。野外调查结果表明克氏原螯虾的密度与泽蛙蝌蚪的密度呈显著负相关。室内实验结果表明克氏原螯虾对泽蛙蝌蚪的捕食强度与克氏原螯虾体长呈显著正相关,且对泽蛙蝌蚪的捕食强度高于饰纹姬蛙蝌蚪。表明克氏原螯虾对两栖类幼体有比较严重的危害,应加强监测,采取相应措施预防和控制其危害。     

草间钻头蛛(Hylyphantes graminicola)对果蝇(Drosophila melanogaster)捕食作用的研究

在实验室条件下,研究了草间钻头蛛Hylyphantes graminicola对果蝇Drosophila melanogaster的捕食功能反应.结果表明,在一定范围内,草间钻头蛛捕食效应随猎物密度增加而增加;随自身密度增加而减小;随着蜘蛛和果蝇密度的增加,相互干扰明显,捕食效率下降;雌蛛比雄蛛捕食量大.     

东亚小花蝽若虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食作用

室内开展了东亚小花蝽二龄、四龄若虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应研究.结果表明,在26℃试验温度下其捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程,东亚小花蝽若虫的捕食量随着猎物密度的增加而增加,搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低,捕食上限分别为9.2头和23.0头.     

田间蜘蛛集团对飞虱的每日捕食量与室内、盆栽水稻的捕食作用比较

采用控制论中的脉冲采样法结合杀死飞虱计数法研究了田间蛛蛛对飞虱的每日捕食量估计并与室内,盆栽罩笼水稻功能反应的捕食作用进行了比较,结果表明田间蜘蛛平均每头每日对飞虱的捕食量为0.669头,这一捕食量比室内和盆栽水稻的捕食量要小得多;田间捕食百分率与飞虱密度呈二次抛物线关系,即飞虱低密度和高密度捕食百分率均低于中等密度,在每穴10头飞虱左右,捕食量和捕食百分率最高,在有一定存量蜘蛛时,捕食量与微蛛,狼蛛数量呈显著的二元线性回归关系,但偏相关系数为负,由此表明随蜘蛛密度的增加捕食量反而下降,这与一些多物种共存系统和田间罩笼的研究结果相一致。     

黄玛草蛉对两种蚜虫的捕食效能

实验室条件下研究了黄玛草蛉2龄与3龄幼虫对甘蓝蚜以及玉米蚜成虫的捕食功能反应。结果表明:黄玛草蛉2龄与3龄幼虫对2种蚜虫的捕食量均随着猎物密度的增加而增加,寻找效应随着猎物密度的增加而减小。不同龄期幼虫对2种蚜虫的捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ模型,黄玛草蛉2龄与3龄幼虫对玉米蚜最大理论日捕食量分别为120.48头、185.18头;黄玛草蛉2龄与3龄幼虫对甘蓝蚜最大理论日捕食量分别为60.60头、86.95头。在相同猎物种类下,黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫对2种蚜虫的捕食量均高于黄玛草蛉2龄幼虫;在相同猎物密度下,黄玛草蛉2龄幼虫与3龄幼虫对玉米蚜的捕食量均高于甘蓝蚜。     

东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应

为探明东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控制效能,开展了东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应研究。结果表明,在供试温度下,该捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程。在相同温度下,东亚小花蝽成虫的捕食量随着猎物密度的增加而增大,搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低。在18℃～26℃内,随着温度的升高,东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食量增加,而在26℃～34℃则有相反的趋势。在相同猎物密度条件下,随着东亚小花蝽成虫密度的增大,其平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率也相应地降低,东亚小花蝽成虫之间存在分摊竞争。     

东亚小花蝽(Orius sauteri)成虫对入侵害虫西花蓟马(Frankliniella occidentalis)成虫的捕食作用

为探明东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控制效能,开展了东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食功能反应与寻找效应研究。试验结果表明,在供试温度下,其捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程。在相同温度下,东亚小花蝽成虫的捕食量随着猎物密度的增加而增大,搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低。在18～26℃,随着温度的升高,东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食量增加,而在26～34℃则有相反的趋势。在相同猎物密度条件下,随着东亚小花蝽成虫密度的增大,其平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率E也相应地降低,捕食作用率E与东亚小花蝽成虫密度P的关系为E=0．5224P^-0.7148,分摊竞争强度,与东亚小花蝽成虫密度P的关系为I=0．9689logP＋0．0763。     

圆斑弯叶毛瓢虫对湿地松粉蚧捕食作用研究

在室内试验条件下,研究了圆斑弯叶毛瓢虫Nephus ryuguus(Kamiya)对湿地松粉蚧Oracella acuta(Lobdell)的捕食功能反应和干扰反应,结果表明瓢虫的捕食功能反应符合Holling-Ⅱ型模型,捕食量随猎物密度的增加而增大;1～4龄幼虫和成虫理论最大捕食量分别为13.63头/d、21.57头/d、55.07头/d、66.39头/d和93.40头/d;对猎物的寻找效应随自身密度的增大而下降.在猎物密度不变的情况下,捕食率随自身密度的增加而减少,成虫个体之间的干扰反应经检验,符合Hassell-Varley干扰反应模型.     

叉角厉蝽对斜纹夜蛾的捕食功能反应

叉角厉蝽Cahtheconidea furcellata是一种重要的捕食性天敌昆虫,为了探明该虫的捕食潜能,在室内条件下研究了叉角厉蝽成虫对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura Fab.二龄和三龄幼虫的捕食作用和种内干扰作用。结果表明,叉角厉蝽成虫的捕食量随着斜纹夜蛾幼虫的密度增加而增大,其捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程。叉角厉蝽对斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫的捕食量符合Na=0.7364N/(1+0.0118N),对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫的捕食量符合Na=0.7504N/(1+0.0005N),叉角厉蝽的捕食作用有较强的种内干扰反应,捕食率与个体间相互干扰的关系符合Hassell模型。叉角厉蝽的捕食量与害虫密度正相关,寻找效应与害虫密度负相关。     

七星瓢虫对两种麦蚜控制作用的模拟研究

应用二次回归旋转组合设计方法研究了七星瓢虫成虫、幼虫与两种麦蚜共存系统中瓢虫对麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜的捕食量模型.结果表明七星瓢虫对两种麦蚜的捕食量随着瓢虫密度的增加而减少,随着该种麦蚜密度的增加而增加,且七星瓢虫无选择性.七星瓢虫不同个体间的干扰作用对其捕食麦长管蚜数量有显著影响,两种麦蚜数交互作用对七星瓢虫捕食禾谷缢管蚜数量影响显著.该模型可用来预测田间蚜虫的变化,指导麦田蚜虫防治.     

Effects of predator interactions, prey palatability and habitat structure on survival of natterjack toad Bufo calamita larvae in replicated semi-natural ponds

The significance of predation and aquatic habitat structures to the survivorship of natterjack toad Bufo calamita larvae was investigated by manipulating predator numbers and pond characteristics in a series of replicated semi-natural pools over three consecutive years Two species of fish (common carp Cyprinus carpio and perch Perca fluviatilis) increased the survival of small tadpoles severalfold by selectively consuming predatory invertebrates, but a third species of fish (rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus) devoured tadpoles and invertebrates indiscriminately Survival of larger tadpoles later in larval development was less affected by the reduction of invertebrate predation pressure from carp and perch, probably because abiotic factors (pond desiccation and anoxia) were stronger agents of tadpole mortality In ponds of low pH (ca 4 5) there was greatly increased spawn mortality and reduced tadpole growth rates but no significant change in tadpole predation compared with circumneutral controls Neutralisation of acid ponds to pH 7 by addition of Ca(OH)₂ restored spawn viability and tadpole growth rates to control levels without affecting predation level Addition of organic nutrients stimulated tadpole growth rates significantly m ohgotrophic ponds but not sufficiently to improve survival of small larvae in the face of predation Extensive growths of macrophytes increased predator numbers up to more than twofold but effects on tadpole mortality rates differed between experiments Replacement of natural substrates by concrete basins substantially increased tadpole survival throughout development, probably because both predation by invertebrates and abiotic mortality factors were ameliorated Predation was a strong force early in natterjack tadpole development irrespective of chemical and biological conditions within ponds, but became much less important compared with abiotic factors as an agent of mortality at later tunes     

The non-consumptive effects of predators and personality on prey growth and mortality

Individual organisms vary in personality, and the ecological consequences of that variation can affect the strength of predator–prey interactions. Prey with bolder tendencies can mitigate the strength of species interactions by altering growth and initiating ontogenetic niche shifts (ONS). While the link between personality and growth has been established, recent research has highlighted the important interplay between ONS and predator cues in community ecology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of prey personality and predator cues on prey growth and ONS. We predicted growth–mortality trade-offs among personalities with higher survival, larger size, and accelerated ONS for bold individuals in comparison with shy individuals. To evaluate this objective, we conducted behavioral assays and a mesocosm experiment to test how southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) tadpole personality and predatory fish (bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus) cues affects tadpole growth and metamorphosis. On average, bold tadpoles had higher mortality across all treatments in comparison with shy tadpoles. The effects of fish cues were dependent on tadpole personality with shy tadpoles metamorphosing significantly later than bold tadpoles. Bold tadpoles were larger than shy tadpoles at metamorphosis; however, that pattern reversed with fish cues as shy individuals metamorphosed larger than bold individuals. Our results suggest personality may be useful for predicting growth and life history for some prey species with predators. Specifically, the threat of predation can interact with personality to incur a benefit (earlier ONS) while also incurring a cost (size at metamorphosis). Hence by incorporating predator cues with personality, ecologists will be able to elucidate growth–mortality trade-offs mediated by personality.     

Keystone predators (eastern newts, Notophthalmus viridescens) reduce the impacts of an aquatic invasive species

Predation, competition, and their interaction are known to be important factors that influence the structure of ecological communities. In particular, in those cases where a competitive hierarchy exists among prey species, the presence of certain keystone predators can result in enhanced diversity in the prey community. However, little is known regarding the influence of keystone predator presence on invaded prey communities. Given the widespread occurrence of invasive species and substantial concern regarding their ecological impacts, studies on this topic are needed. In this study I used naturalistic replications of an experimental tadpole assemblage to assess the influence of predatory eastern newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, on the outcome of interspecific competition among native and nonindigenous tadpoles. When newts were absent, the presence of the tadpoles of one invasive species, the Cuban treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, resulted in decreased survival and growth rate of the dominant native species, Bufo terrestris, and dominance of the tadpole assemblage by O. septentrionalis. However, the presence of one adult newt generally reduced or eliminated the negative impacts of O. septentrionalis tadpoles, resulting in comparable survival and performance of native species in invaded and noninvaded treatments. Differential mortality among the tadpole species suggests that newts preyed selectively on O. septentrionalis tadpoles, supporting the hypothesis that newts acted as keystone predators in the invaded assemblage. The presence of nonindigenous larval cane toads, Bufo marinus, did not significantly affect native species, and this species was not negatively affected by the presence of newts. Collectively, these results suggest that eastern newts significantly modified the competitive hierarchy of the invaded tadpole assemblage and reduced the impacts of a competitively superior invasive species. If general, these results suggest that the presence of certain species may be an essential factor regulating the ecological impacts of biological invasions.     

Effects of food-deprivation on migratory restlessness and diurnal activity in the garden warbler Sylvia borin

Summary The effects of tadpole body size, tadpole sibship, and fish body size on predation of gray treefrog tadpoles, Hyla chrysoscelis, were studied in laboratory and artificial pond experiments. Tadpole body size had a significantly positive effect on the survival of tadpoles in all experiments. The relationship between tadpole biomass eaten and biomass available suggested that fish were not satiated when consuming the largest tadpoles. Large tadpoles were probably better able to evade predators. A difference in survival among full sib families of tadpoles was only present in one family, suggesting that genetic differences in predator avoidance behavior or palatability were probably secondarily important to body size per se. Fish body size had a significantly negative effect on the survival of tadpoles. Larger fish consumed a larger number and proportion of tadpoles as well as greater biomass. These results indicate that environmental factors affecting the growth rate of tadpoles cand dramatically alter their vulnerability to gape-limited predators.     

Cooccurrence of prey species alters the impact of predators on prey performance through multiple mechanisms

When prey are differentially affected by intra and interspecific competition, the cooccurrence of multiple prey species alters the per capita availability of food for a particular prey species which could alter how prey respond to the threat of predation, and hence the overall‐effect of predators. We conducted an experiment to examine the extent to which the nonconsumptive and overall effect of predatory water bugs on snail and tadpole traits (performance and morphology) depended on whether tadpoles and snails cooccurred. Tadpoles and snails differed in their relative susceptibility to intraspecific and interspecific competition, and predators affected both prey species via consumptive and nonconsumptive mechanisms. Furthermore, the overall effect of predators often depended on whether another prey species was present. The reasoning for why the overall effect of predators depended on whether prey species cooccurred, however, differed for each of the response variables. Predators affected snail body growth via nonconsumptive mechanisms, but the change in the overall effect of predators on snail body growth was attributable to how snails responded to competition in the absence of predators, rather than a change in how snails responded to the threat of predation. Predators did not affect tadpole body growth via nonconsumptive mechanisms, but the greater vulnerability of competitively superior prey (snails) to predators increased the strength of consumptive mechanisms (and hence the overall effect) through which predators affected tadpole growth. Predators affected tadpole morphology via nonconsumptive mechanisms, but the greater propensity for predators to kill competitively superior prey (snails) enhanced the ability of tadpoles to alter their morphology in response to the threat of predation by creating an environment where tadpoles had a higher per capita supply of food available to invest in the development of morphological defenses. Our work indicates that the mechanisms through which predators affect prey depends on the other members of the community.     

Patterns and consequences of behavioural responses to predators and parasites in Rana tadpoles

We examined the interactive effects of predators and trematodes on Rana sybatica and Rana clamitans larvae. We hypothesized that exposure to predators would increase tadpole susceptibility to trematode infection, by reducing tadpole activity and thereby increasing time spent on the bottom. We further hypothesized that the tadpoles would experience reduced rates of growth and development in the presence of either predators or parasites, and that predator presence would stimulate both species to develop larger tails and smaller bodies. Rana clamilans and R. sybatica reduced their activity in the presence of both predators and trematode cercariae. In the longer running R. clamitans experiment, predator-exposed tadpoles developed significantly shallower tails and wider bodies, while trematode infection had no effect on growth, development, or shape. Most significantly, we found that extended exposure to caged fish predators made R. clamitans tadpoles more susceptible to trematode infection. A possible mechanism for this increased vulnerability is that reduced activity in the presence of predators increases tadpoles' proximity to cercariae. Our study suggests that various factors that decrease tadpole activity–predator presence, trematode cercariae and certain pesticides–may act synergistically to negatively impact tadpole populations.     

A small increase in UV-B increases the susceptibility of tadpoles to predation

Increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation as a consequence of ozone depletion is one of the many potential drivers of ongoing global amphibian declines. Both alone and in combination with other environmental stressors, UV-B is known to have detrimental effects on the early life stages of amphibians, but our understanding of the fitness consequences of these effects remains superficial. We examined the independent and interactive effects of UV-B and predatory chemical cues (PCC) on a suite of traits of Limnodynastes peronii embryos and tadpoles, and assessed tadpole survival time in a predator environment to evaluate the potential fitness consequences. Exposure to a 3 to 6 per cent increase in UV-B, which is comparable to changes in terrestrial UV-B associated with ozone depletion, had no effect on any of the traits measured, except survival time in a predator environment, which was reduced by 22 to 28 per cent. Exposure to PCC caused tadpoles to hatch earlier, have reduced hatching success, have improved locomotor performance and survive for longer in a predator environment, but had no effect on tadpole survival, behaviour or morphology. Simultaneous exposure to UV-B and PCC resulted in no interactive effects. These findings demonstrate that increased UV-B has the potential to reduce tadpole fitness, while exposure to PCCs improves their fitness.     

Body size and group size of Cuban tree frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Osteopilus septentrionalis</Emphasis>) tadpoles influence their escape behaviour

Tadpoles risk attack from both aquatic and aerial predators. We investigated how body size and group size influenced the behaviour of tadpoles before and during a predatory attack from above to test the predictions of the theoretical economic escape model. We examined escape (swimming) response of small and large Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles kept under three density treatments and predicted that increased group size, body size and depth in the water column would all reduce perceived risk and, therefore, escape responses to simulated predation. Compared with the lower density groups, tadpoles in higher density groups moved shorter distances, and many individuals did not even move away in response to being touched. Contrary to our predictions based on the economic escape model, smaller tadpoles (which should be more vulnerable to a greater suite of predators) were less reactive than larger tadpoles, and this result may reflect different costs of escape. Finally, although tadpoles might be exposed to a wider range of predator species (aerial as well as aquatic predators), we found no effect of initial depth on escape responses. In conclusion, it appears that the main benefit of increased group density in O. septentrionalis tadpoles is likely to be predator dilution, and that variation in densities of tadpoles influences the escape behaviour of individual tadpoles, regardless of tadpole size.     

Effects of fish chemical cues on the interactions between tadpoles and crayfish

We studied the effects of predatory crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ), the non-lethal effects of fish chemical cues ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), and the combined effects of crayfish and fish chemical cues on the performance of tadpoles of two co-existing anuran species, Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo , in experimental pools. We also examined grazing effects on periphyton, the main food source for the tadpoles. Crayfish significantly reduced tadpole survival, particularly by feeding on Bufo . Rana benefited from reduced numbers of competitors, resulting from crayfish predation, by increased growth rate, whereas the growth rate of Bufo was unaffected by crayfish. The proportion of Rana in refuges (in relation to the number of survivors at the end of the experiment) was unaffected by crayfish, whereas proportionally more Bufo stayed in refuges in the presence of crayfish, relative to controls. Fish cues had no effect on tadpole survival of either species. During the entire larval period, Rana responded to fish cues by increasing the use of refuges relative to controls, whereas Bufo did not show any significant behavioural response to fish cues. In accordance with these observations, the proportion of Rana in refuges at the end of the experiment was high in the presence of fish cues, whereas the use of refuges by Bufo was not affected by fish cues. Predatory crayfish and fish chemical cues had additive effects on tadpole survival, growth and refuge use. Tadpoles in all treatments reduced periphyton biomass. Both crayfish and fish cues had positive indirect effects on periphyton biomass. The positive indirect effect of fish cues on periphyton was likely an effect of reduced grazing from Rana . Thus lethal, as well as non-lethal, predator effects on prey populations can influence lower trophic levels.     

Frog virus 3 prevalence in tadpole populations inhabiting cattle-access and non-access wetlands in Tennessee, USA

Ranaviruses have been associated with most of the reported larval anuran die-offs in the United States. It is hypothesized that anthropogenically induced stress may increase pathogen prevalence in amphibian populations by compromising immunity. Cattle use of wetlands may stress resident tadpole populations by reducing water quality. We isolated a Ranavirus from green frog Rana clamitans (n = 80) and American bullfrog R. catesbeiana (n = 104) tadpoles collected at 5 cattle-access and 3 non-access wetlands on the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee, USA. Sequencing confirmed Frog virus 3 (FV3); therefore, we compared its prevalence between tadpole populations inhabiting cattle-access and non-access wetlands, and among 3 seasons (winter, summer, and autumn) in 2005. We found FV3 in both tadpole species and cattle land-use types; however, prevalence of FV3 was greater in green frog tadpoles residing in cattle-access wetlands compared to those in non-access wetlands. No difference in FV3 prevalence was detected between cattle land uses for American bullfrog tadpoles. A seasonal trend in FV3 prevalence also existed, with prevalence greater in autumn and winter than in summer for both species. In addition, we found that FV3 prevalence decreased significantly as Gosner stage increased in American bullfrog tadpoles. No trend was detected between FV3 prevalence and developmental stage for green frog tadpoles. Our results suggest that cattle use of wetlands may increase prevalence of FV3 in Rana tadpoles, although this effect may depend on species, season, and tadpole developmental stage.