Predator tactics and prey densities modulate the strength of trophic interactions in a temperate rocky reef

Marine Biology volume 168, Article number: 38 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Evaluating the species-specific effects of multiple predators on shared prey helps to identify the mechanisms regulating predator impacts. Here, we investigate the trophic impact of two predators of the Chilean rocky subtidal, the fish Graus nigra [F] and the octopus Robsonella fontaniana [O] on their shared prey, the porcelain crab, Petrolisthes violaceus. Manipulative laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate mortality and behavior of porcelain crab in different treatments, including prey alone; prey with single predator ([O] or [F]); and prey with combined predators ([F + F], [O + O], and [O + F]). Different prey densities (N = 3, 9, and 12 individuals) were used to explore density-dependent predation mortality for single and combined predators using an orthogonal (crossed) design that allows to tease apart the effects of predator taxonomic identity from prey density. Behavioral responses of interacting species were registered every 4 h for 2 consecutive days, and were used to identify predator foraging strategies and prey refuge use. Mortality values (proportional prey mortality and predator per capita consumption) were compared among treatments. Results indicated differences in mortality among treatments. The cause of increase of prey proportional mortality was due to an increase in prey availability outside the refuge in fish treatments at high initial prey densities, while it was density independent in octopus’ treatments. Changes in predator per capita consumption were registered depending on the predator combination and the initial prey density. These patterns may reflect contrasting predator foraging strategies and changes in refuge use by porcelain crabs, suggesting effects on prey mortality and predator impacts.

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Data/code availability

The data and r-code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [APM], upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank V. Garmendia, C. Ruz (SUBELAB), and N. Osiadacz for their assistance in the field and laboratory, and V. Cifuentes (PUC) for providing octopus drawings. We would also like to thank Dr. Robert Lamb and three anonymous reviewers who provided comments that significantly improved our manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by CONICYT-FONDECYT through the regular Grant #1151094 to APM and the post-doctoral Grant #3140416 and Initiation Grant #11170617 to SC.

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Affiliations

  1. Subtidal Ecology Laboratory, Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114: D, Santiago, Chile

    Rodrigo H Muñoz-Cordovez & Alejandro Pérez-Matus

  2. ANID – Millennium Science Initiative Programme - Millennium Nucleus for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile

    Sergio A. Carrasco

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, Chile

    F. Patricio Ojeda

  4. ANID – Millennium Science Initiative Programme - Millennium Nucleus for the Ecology and Conservation of Temperate Mesophotic Reef Ecosystem (NUTME), Las Cruces, Chile

    Alejandro Pérez-Matus

Authors
  1. Rodrigo H Muñoz-Cordovez
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  2. Sergio A. Carrasco
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  3. F. Patricio Ojeda
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  4. Alejandro Pérez-Matus
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Contributions

APM and SC conceived the study; RMC conducted all experiments and provided earlier drafts. APM and RMC conducted statistical analysis. RMC, AMP, SC, and FPO wrote the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandro Pérez-Matus.

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All procedures involving animals were in compliance with ethics committee of Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile under CBB-192/2014 for reef fishes and crustaceans and CBB-14/2013 for cephalopods.

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Muñoz-Cordovez, R.H., Carrasco, S.A., Ojeda, F.P. et al. Predator tactics and prey densities modulate the strength of trophic interactions in a temperate rocky reef. Mar Biol 168, 38 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03842-x

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