Trophic ecology of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) in the Coyote estuary,Costa Rica

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a near-threatened elasmobranch species capable of moving between the fresh and salty waters of tropical and subtropical coastal areas, for which we still lack important ecological information. During their first years of life, bull sharks use estuarine systems as nursery areas, making them highly susceptible to environmental and anthropogenic pressures. We studied the trophic ecology of juveniles found in the Coyote estuary, a potential nursery area in Costa Rica, to understand the potential impact of further bull shark declines and gain knowledge that could aid in their conservation. We analysed the trophic ecology of juvenile bull sharks [81–103 cm total length (TL)] in the Coyote estuary, Costa Rica, using stable isotopes of δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C. Since one problem using this technique in juveniles is the confounding effect of the maternal signature, we sampled different tissues (muscle and plasma), verified the status of the shark's umbilical scar and identified the size at which the isotope signature is a result of the animal's current diet. The isotopic values of the muscle tissue reflected the maternal isotopic signature. In contrast, plasma values reflected the diet of juvenile bull sharks >95 cm TL and with a closed umbilical scar. Juvenile bull sharks fed primarily on teleost fishes of the order Anguilliformes and Siluriformes, and have a high trophic position (≥4.0) in the Coyote estuary. Our findings suggest that this estuary is an important feeding site for juvenile bull sharks of the Pacific of Costa Rica. Thus, the protection of essential habitats such as the Coyote estuary will benefit not only bull shark conservation, but also the conservation of an array of fish species that also use this habitat as a rookery, many of which are of commercial interest.     

Do the effects of piscivorous largemouth bass cascade to the plankton?

Ecologists have hypothesized that an increase in the biomass of piscivorous fish in lakes will cause a decrease in populations of planktivorous fish, an increase in the size of herbivorous zooplankton and a decrease in the biomass of phytoplankton. Here we present an experimental test of whether the effects of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) cascade to the planktivorous fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton of a 15-ha water storage reservoir. A pilot study indicated that the reservoir was eutrophic with dense populations of planktivorous fish dominated by threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense). No piscovorous fish were present in the reservoir. We conducted a one-month mesocosm experiment using water and plankton from the reservoir showing that the presence of threadfin shad reduced large-sized zooplankton and increased the productivity and biomass of phytoplankton. To test whether the effects of piscivorous fish could cascade to the plankton, we assessed the effects of the addition of piscivorous largemouth bass on the planktivorous fish, zooplankton and biomass of phytoplankton of the reservoir by monitoring the reservoir during the year before and the two years after largemouth bass were stocked. In the second year after the addition of largemouth bass, the number of planktivorous fish decreased and the relative abundance of threadfin shad declined. Although the abundance of cladocerans increased after the addition of largemouth bass, the average size of zooplankton did not change. We did not detect changes in chlorophyll a, Secchi depth, or concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen as a result of the addition of largemouth bass.     

Role of fungal patchiness on vegetal detritus in the trophic interactions between two brackish detritivores,Idotea baltica and Gammarus insensibilis

We investigated patterns of resource partitioning between two brackish crustaceans (I. baltica and G. insensibilis) on trophic mosaics of fungal species colonizing vegetal detritus. Laboratory feeding experiments were carried out to assess consumption rates and diet selection of single individuals belonging to five populations. Adults of two co-occurring population of both G. insensibilis and I. baltica and one population of G. insensibilis, occurring alone in another habitat patch, were studied. Each individual were offered both fragments of Cymodocea nodosa conditioned by 8 fungal species and sterilized fragments as sole food source for 7 days. Both species preferred "conditioned" detritus but potential resource use was greater in G. insensibilis than in I. baltica. Individual niche breadth increased and phenotypic variability reduced in the allotopic sample. Trophic similarities were lower between individuals of co-occuring populations than between I. baltica and the allotopic G. insensibilis. The results suggest that co-occurrence is an important factor contributing to the enhancement of phenotypic variability and, consequently, to a trophic generalization at population level in G. insensibilis. It emphasizes the role of fungal patchiness on detritus in regulating resource partitioning between the two species.     

Herbivoran impact on phytoplankton community structure

An enclosure experiment was conducted to assess the effects of a zooplankton elimination on the structure of a phytoplankton community. Phytoplankton biomass and production were higher in grazer-free enclosures, while the productivity per unit biovolume was lower. Exclusion of zooplankton favoured the majority of algal species, especially chrysophyceans (Dinobryon spp.) and the diatom Rhizosolenia, while mucilagineous green-algae were disfavoured. Middle sized algae (ESD 15–50 µm) and those with the largest Surface Area/Volume ratio were proportionally most favoured by the elimination of grazers.These differences in phytoplankton community structure are discussed in relation to effects of direct selective grazing and nutrient recycling by zooplankton. Some differences, as the immediate positive response of Dinobryon and Rhizosolenia, are probably caused by grazing release, while others, e.g. the response of mucilagineous species, might be caused by changed competitive relationships between the algae.     

The effect of trophic/contaminant interactions on chironomid community structure and succession (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The effects of contaminants and organic pollution on the chironomid communities of two basins in Lac St. Louis, a river-lake on the St. Lawrence River above Montreal, Quebec, were assessed and compared using lake classification theory techniques and morphological deformity indices based on the ligulae and antennae ofProcladius, the dominant surviving component of the south-shore communities. Contaminants from the industrial complex around Beauharnois, Quebec, have seriously degraded communities along the south-shore gradient while the introduction of untreated domestic wastes from Laprairie, Quebec, has seriously affected the communities of the Laprairie basin. The interaction between trophic and contaminant effects constitutes a classic example of the setback or deflection in the trajectory of ecological succession in biological communities hypothesized by ODUM (1981, 1985).     

Are blue-green algae a suitable food for zooplankton? An overview

One of the reasons suggested to explain the dominance of blue-greens in eutrophic lakes is that they are not used as food by zooplankton; and even when ingested, they are poorly utilized.

An increase in herbivores might be the expected result of biomanipulation of the aquatic food chain. This attempt at controlling the algae population is, however, destined to fail if zooplankton do not also utilize blue-greens as food. In this respect, a series of in-lake experimental results indicates that after the food chain has been biomanipulated, there is a decrease in blue-green density in periods when there is an increase in herbivores. Is this only an accidental result or are the two facts interrelated; in other words, can the decrease in the density of blue-greens be attributed to the increased use of them by zooplankton herbivores?

The suitability of blue-greens as food for zooplankton has been widely investigated by many authors with contrasting and inconclusive results. Two main factors seem to play important role in determining their suitability as food: the biochemical properties of the different species, or even different strains of the same species; and the shape and size of the colonies.

In particular, biochemical properties can result in toxic effects on zooplankton, while size and shape may strongly interfere with filtering, thus reducing the possibility of gathering food.

     

The zooplankton-phytoplankton interface in lakes of contrasting trophic status: an experimental comparison

We report here the results of an experimental study designed to compare algal responses to short-term manipulations of zooplankton in three California lakes which encompass a broad range of productivity (ultra-oligotrophic Lake Tahoe, mesotrophic Castle Lake, and strongly eutrophic Clear Lake). To assess the potential strength of grazing in each lake, we evaluated algal responses to a 16-fold range of zooplankton biomass. To better compare algal responses among lakes, we determined algal responses to grazing by a common grazer (Daphnia sp.) over a range ofDaphnia densities from 1 to 16 animals per liter. Effects of both ambient grazers andDaphnia were strong in Castle Lake. However, neither ambient zooplankton norDaphnia had much impact on phytoplankton in Clear Lake. In Lake Tahoe, no grazing impacts could be demonstrated for the ambient zooplankton butDaphnia grazing had dramatic effects. These results indicate weak coupling between phytoplankton and zooplankton in Clear Lake and Lake Tahoe, two lakes which lie near opposite extremes of lake trophic status for most lakes. These observations, along with work reported by other researchers, suggest that linkages between zooplankton and phytoplankton may be weak in lakes with either extremely low or high productivity. Biomanipulation approaches to recover hypereutrophic lakes which aim only to alter zooplankton size structure may be less effective if algal communities are dominated by large, inedible phytoplankton taxa.     

Nematode Community Structure in a Vineyard Soil

Distribution of the nematode community in a California vineyard was studied over a 13-month period. Omnivorous and microbivorous nematodes were similarly distributed in the root zone, with greatest densities occurring between vine rows and near the soil surface. Greatest densities of plant-parasitic nematodes were found in the vine row, with the individual species differing in their vertical distribution. Total nematode biomass was greatest between rows near the surface. Biomass of plant parasites was greatest in the upper 30 cm of soil in the row, whereas biomass of microbivores was greatest in this region between rows. Of the plant-parasitic nematodes, the variability in distribution among vines was greatest for Paratylenchus hamatus and least for Meloidogyne spp.