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Does the invasion of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea affect the feeding habits of amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda)?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2012

Maite Vázquez-Luis ,
Pablo Sanchez-Jerez  and
Just T. Bayle-Sempere
Maite Vázquez-Luis*
Affiliation:
I.E.O., Centre Oceanogràfic de les Balears, Moll de Ponent s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain Centro de Investigación Marina de Santa Pola (CIMAR), Ayto. de Santa Pola y Universidad de Alicante, Torre d'Enmig s/n, Cabo de Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain
Pablo Sanchez-Jerez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada. Edificio Ciencias V. Universidad de Alicante, POB. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
Just T. Bayle-Sempere
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada. Edificio Ciencias V. Universidad de Alicante, POB. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M. Vázquez-Luis, Centro de Investigación Marina de Santa Pola (CIMAR), Ayto. de Santa Pola y Universidad de Alicante, Torre d'Enmig s/n, Cabo de Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain email: MT.Vazquez@ua.es
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Abstract

Ecological interactions involving introduced seaweeds constitute an important research gap, since they could alter the trophic dynamics of native populations, but indirect effects on trophic levels are poorly known. The seaweed Caulerpa racemosa is one of the most notable invaders in the Mediterranean Sea. It is well known that C. racemosa modifies the amphipod community with respect to native habitats, but nothing is known regarding the common use of the same trophic resources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess if the feeding habits of amphipods associated with algal habitats are affected by the spread of the invasive C. racemosa, through stomach content analysis of amphipods living in both native and invaded seaweed assemblages. A total of 240 specimens of 14 species of amphipods were examined. Ten species were present in both studied habitats (native and invaded), while two were exclusive to native and invaded habitats, respectively. Ten individuals of each species at each habitat were selected and their gut contents were examined. A total of 11 different items was found in the gut contents: detritus; vegetal detritus; algae; animal tissue; Oligochaeta; Polychaeta; Foraminifera; Crustacea; Sipuncula; diatoms; and non-identified items. The expansion of C. racemosa into the native algal community changes the feeding habits of herbivorous amphipods, since their preferred food (epiphytic algae) is not available in the new habitat produced by C. racemosa. This community change occurs because of the presence of caulerpenyne in C. racemosa, which retards the growth of epiphytic algae. Nevertheless, other species are not affected or benefited by the invasion, such as detritivorous species whose main food source and habitat remains available. Altogether, slight changes in the trophodynamism of amphipod assemblages have been detected, which are not seen as relevant in an initial stage. However, they might be promoting some indirect effects in the energetic budget of populations, which may affect the life history. Further studies on food-web interactions in the ecosystems affected by invasive species are necessary.

Keywords

biodiversityexotic speciesdetritusfeeding habitsgut contentsimpactinvasive speciestrophic dynamics
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 93 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 87 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

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