Influence of predator density on nonindependent effects of multiple predator species |
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Authors: | Blaine D Griffen Tucker Williamson |
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Institution: | (1) Zoology Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA;(2) Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;(3) School of Science and Math, College of Charleston, Grice Marine Laboratory, 205 Fort Johnson, Charleston, SC 29412, USA |
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Abstract: | Interactions between multiple predator species are frequent in natural communities and can have important implications for
shared prey survival. Predator density may be an important component of these interactions between predator species, as the
frequency of interactions between species is largely determined by species density. Here we experimentally examine the importance
of predator density for interactions between predator species and subsequent impacts on prey. We show that aggressive interactions
between the predatory shore crabs Carcinus maenas and Hemigrapsus sanguineus increased with predator density, yet did not increase as fast as negative interactions between conspecifics. At low density,
interactions between conspecific and heterospecific predators had similar inhibitory impacts on predator function, whereas
conspecific interference was greater than interference from heterospecifics at high predator density. Thus the impact of conspecific
interference at high predator density was sufficient in itself that interactions with a second predator species had no additional
impact on per capita predation. Spatial and temporal variability in predator density is a ubiquitous characteristic of natural
systems that should be considered in studies of multiple predator species. |
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Keywords: | Carcinus maenas Hemigrapsus sanguineus Multiple predator effects Predator interference Risk reduction |
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