DOCSLIB.ORG

Thermally Mediated Body Temperature, Water Content and Aggregation Behaviour in the Intertidal Gastropod Nerita Atramentosa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Thermally Mediated Body Temperature, Water Content and Aggregation Behaviour in the Intertidal Gastropod Nerita Atramentosa Ecol Res DOI 10.1007/s11284-013-1030-4 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Coraline Chapperon • Ce´dric Le Bris • Laurent Seuront Thermally mediated body temperature, water content and aggregation behaviour in the intertidal gastropod Nerita atramentosa Received: 29 March 2012 / Accepted: 20 January 2013 Ó The Ecological Society of Japan 2013 Abstract Intertidal organisms are vulnerable to global reinforces the evidence that mobile intertidal ectotherms warming as they already live at, or near to, the upper could survive locally under warmer conditions if they limit of their thermal tolerance window. The behaviour can locate and move behaviourally in local thermal of ectotherms could, however, dampen their limited refuges. N. atramentosa behaviour, water content and physiological abilities to respond to climate change (e.g. body temperature during emersion seem to be related to drier and warmer environmental conditions) which the thermal stability and local conditions of the habitat could substantially increase their survival rates. The occupied. Aggregation behaviour reduces both desicca- behaviour of ectotherms is still mostly overlooked in tion and heat stresses but only on the boulder field. climate change studies. Here, we investigate the poten- Further investigations are required to identify the dif- tial of aggregation behaviour to compensate for climate ferent behavioural strategies used by ectothermic species change in an intertidal gastropod species (Nerita atra- to adapt to heat and dehydrating conditions at the mentosa) in South Australia. We used thermal imaging habitat level. Ultimately, this information constitutes a to investigate (1) the heterogeneity in individual snail fundamental prerequisite to implement conservation water content and body temperature and surrounding management plans for ectothermic species identified as substratum temperature on two topographically differ- vulnerable in the warming climate. ent habitats (i.e. rock platform and boulders) separated by 250 m at both day- and night-times, (2) the potential Keywords Body temperature Æ Water content Æ relationship between environment temperature (air and Aggregation Æ Snail Æ Thermal imaging Æ Rocky shore Æ substratum) and snail water content and body temper- Ectotherms Æ Desiccation stress Æ Thermal stress Æ ature, and (3) the potential buffering effect of aggrega- Conservation management tion behaviour on snail water content and body temperature. Both substratum and snail temperature were more heterogeneous at small spatial scales (a few Introduction centimetres to a few metres) than between habitats. This Understanding how ectotherms adapt physiologically to & C. Chapperon ( ) Æ heat stress and thermoregulate in response to climate C. Le Bris Æ L. Seuront School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, warming is essential to determining the limits of their Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia thermal tolerance window (Hofmann and Todgham E-mail: coraline.chapperon@flinders.edu.au 2010). This is critical since temperature has a paramount effect on physiological processes cascading from genes to Present address: C. Le Bris organisms (Somero 2002). This impacts individual per- Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Environnement Marin, Universite´ formance and fitness (Huey and Berrigan 2001), and de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6539, Brest, France ultimately sets species biogeographic ranges (Hofmann and Todgham 2010). The physiological thermoregula- L. Seuront Aquatic Sciences, South Australian Research and Development tory abilities of intertidal ectotherms are, however, lim- Institute, West Beach, SA 5022, Australia ited since they already live at, or near to, their upper thermal tolerance limit (Somero 2002). It is thus critical L. Seuront to examine non-physiological means of thermoregula- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire tion that could maintain the fitness of intertidal species, d’Oce´anologie et de Ge´osciences, Universite´des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, UMR LOG 8187 Station Marine, hence to some extent the balance of the intertidal eco- 62930 Wimereux, France system, in the changing climate. Ectothermic species can maintain body temperatures within their thermal tolerance window by responding to Materials and methods heat stress over a range of (1) temporal scales spanning from minutes to generations, hence involving processes Study organisms and sampling strategy such as behavioural thermoregulation (Dubois et al. 2009; Munoz et al. 2005), acclimatisation (Sinclair et al. In this study, we investigated the potential links between 2006) and evolutionary adaptation (Somero 2010); and aggregation, heat and desiccation stresses in the inter- (2) spatial scales ranging from small-scale habitats tidal prosobranch gastropod Nerita atramentosa (Reeve (Chapperon and Seuront 2011a; Denny et al. 2011)to 1855). N. atramentosa was specifically chosen since it is large-scale geographic distances (Osovitz and Hofmann typically found in large aggregations (up to several 2007). In particular, the survival of ectothermic species hundreds of individuals) on temperate South Australian in the warming climate is linked strongly to the dispersal rocky shores (C.C. and L.S., personal observation), and abilities of both organisms and populations within and plays a strategic role on intertidal rocky shores across heterogeneous environments in order to select (Underwood 1984). N. atramentosa appears to be par- thermally favourable habitats (Sorte et al. 2011). For ticularly vulnerable to extreme heat, and hence the instance, some intertidal invertebrates thermoregulate warming climate, due to its (1) geographic position, (2) through microhabitat selection (e.g. Garrity 1984) while shell colour and (3) limited thermoregulatory abilities. some terrestrial vertebrates such as reptiles shuttle be- First, South Australia is the driest state in Australia and tween sun and shade in order to take advantage or avoid is predicted to become both drier and warmer with an solar radiation (e.g. Dı´az and Cabezas- Dı´az 2004; increase in the frequency of extreme maximum temper- Dubois et al. 2009). Intertidal invertebrates also display ature (CSIRO 2010). South Australian oceanic waters a range of thermoregulatory behaviours such as shell have also warmed up more rapidly than anticipated and position adjustment (Munoz et al. 2005) or mushroom- poleward range extension and decline of reef organisms ing behaviour (Williams et al. 2005). On intertidal rocky have already been observed (Wernberg et al. 2011). shores, the frequent formation of aggregates that con- Secondly, N. atramentosa has a black-pigmented shell tain up to hundreds of individuals (Chapman and that enhances both the absorption and retention of solar Underwood 1996) has typically been considered to re- radiation during emersion more than the surrounding duce both thermal and desiccation stresses (Garrity substratum (McMahon 1990). Finally, N. atramentosa 1984; Chapman and Underwood 1992; Raffaelli and individuals remain attached to the substratum even Hawkins 1996; Stafford and Davies 2005, 2011, 2012). above temperatures inducing heat coma (i.e. 38.9 °C) Aggregations may indeed maintain moisture and reduce and some specimens exhibit a lack or limited evaporative evaporation rate through the minimisation of the sur- cooling ability (McMahon 1990). N. atramentosa suc- face-to-volume ratio in contact with the atmosphere cessful dominance on South Australian rocky shores (Chase et al. 1980). For instance, aggregated Nodilitto- nevertheless suggests the existence of some behavioural rina peruviana maintain water content and thermoregu- adjustment of its body temperature and water content to late better than solitary individuals (Rojas et al. 2000). cope with South Australian summer conditions, such as Similarly, aggregated mussels exhibit lower body tem- the formation of aggregates. peratures (4–5 °C) than solitary mussels (Helmuth This study was conducted during the austral summer 1998). (February 2010) on a moderately exposed rocky shore The main objective of this study was to examine located in South Australia (Marino Rocks). This site is whether the aggregation behaviour widespread among characterised by an alongshore gradient in substratum intertidal snails provide benefits in terms of body tem- topographic complexity that includes rock platforms, perature and water content in dry and hot environ- rocks and boulders, and abounds with intertidal snails mental conditions and to discuss its potential (e.g. Bembicium sp., Austrocochlea sp.), especially Nerita implication in the warming climate. In this context, this atramentosa (Reeve 1855) found at each tidal height. study assessed (1) the heterogeneity in snail temperature, In order to assess the potential effect of aggregation water content and environment temperature; (2) the behaviour on both snail body temperature and water relationship between snail water content, body temper- content, we considered solitary and aggregated individ- ature and environment temperature; and (3) the poten- uals. An individual was considered aggregated when tial buffering effect of aggregation behaviour on snail there was a direct shell contact with the shell of at least body temperature and water content in different envi- another conspecific (Chapperon and Seuront 2011a, b). ronmental conditions. The mosaic patterns of environ- However, all aggregated individuals were collected ran- mental/animal temperature and the benefits of domly from different aggregations containing at least
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hatching Plasticity in the Tropical Gastropod Nerita Scabricosta
    Invertebrate Biology x(x): 1–10. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. DOI: 10.1111/ivb.12119 Hatching plasticity in the tropical gastropod Nerita scabricosta Rachel Collin,a Karah Erin Roof, and Abby Spangler Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 0843-03092 Balboa, Panama Abstract. Hatching plasticity has been documented in diverse terrestrial and freshwater taxa, but in few marine invertebrates. Anecdotal observations over the last 80 years have suggested that intertidal neritid snails may produce encapsulated embryos able to signifi- cantly delay hatching. The cause for delays and the cues that trigger hatching are unknown, but temperature, salinity, and wave action have been suggested to play a role. We followed individual egg capsules of Nerita scabricosta in 16 tide pools to document the variation in natural time to hatching and to determine if large delays in hatching occur in the field. Hatching occurred after about 30 d and varied significantly among tide pools in the field. Average time to hatching in each pool was not correlated with presence of potential preda- tors, temperature, salinity, or pool size. We also compared hatching time between egg cap- sules in the field to those kept in the laboratory at a constant temperature in motionless water, and to those kept in the laboratory with sudden daily water motion and temperature changes. There was no significant difference in the hatching rate between the two laboratory treatments, but capsules took, on average, twice as long to hatch in the laboratory as in the field.
    [Show full text]
  • Part I. an Annotated Checklist of Extant Brachyuran Crabs of the World
    THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2008 17: 1–286 Date of Publication: 31 Jan.2008 © National University of Singapore SYSTEMA BRACHYURORUM: PART I. AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF EXTANT BRACHYURAN CRABS OF THE WORLD Peter K. L. Ng Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 119260, Republic of Singapore Email: [email protected] Danièle Guinot Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Département Milieux et peuplements aquatiques, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France Email: [email protected] Peter J. F. Davie Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT. – An annotated checklist of the extant brachyuran crabs of the world is presented for the first time. Over 10,500 names are treated including 6,793 valid species and subspecies (with 1,907 primary synonyms), 1,271 genera and subgenera (with 393 primary synonyms), 93 families and 38 superfamilies. Nomenclatural and taxonomic problems are reviewed in detail, and many resolved. Detailed notes and references are provided where necessary. The constitution of a large number of families and superfamilies is discussed in detail, with the positions of some taxa rearranged in an attempt to form a stable base for future taxonomic studies. This is the first time the nomenclature of any large group of decapod crustaceans has been examined in such detail. KEY WORDS. – Annotated checklist, crabs of the world, Brachyura, systematics, nomenclature. CONTENTS Preamble .................................................................................. 3 Family Cymonomidae .......................................... 32 Caveats and acknowledgements ............................................... 5 Family Phyllotymolinidae .................................... 32 Introduction .............................................................................. 6 Superfamily DROMIOIDEA ..................................... 33 The higher classification of the Brachyura ........................
    [Show full text]
  • E Urban Sanctuary Algae and Marine Invertebrates of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
    !e Urban Sanctuary Algae and Marine Invertebrates of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Jessica Reeves & John Buckeridge Published by: Greypath Productions Marine Care Ricketts Point PO Box 7356, Beaumaris 3193 Copyright © 2012 Marine Care Ricketts Point !is work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission of the publisher. Photographs remain copyright of the individual photographers listed. ISBN 978-0-9804483-5-1 Designed and typeset by Anthony Bright Edited by Alison Vaughan Printed by Hawker Brownlow Education Cheltenham, Victoria Cover photo: Rocky reef habitat at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, David Reinhard Contents Introduction v Visiting the Sanctuary vii How to use this book viii Warning viii Habitat ix Depth x Distribution x Abundance xi Reference xi A note on nomenclature xii Acknowledgements xii Species descriptions 1 Algal key 116 Marine invertebrate key 116 Glossary 118 Further reading 120 Index 122 iii Figure 1: Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. !e intertidal zone rocky shore platform dominated by the brown alga Hormosira banksii. Photograph: John Buckeridge. iv Introduction Most Australians live near the sea – it is part of our national psyche. We exercise in it, explore it, relax by it, "sh in it – some even paint it – but most of us simply enjoy its changing modes and its fascinating beauty. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary comprises 115 hectares of protected marine environment, located o# Beaumaris in Melbourne’s southeast ("gs 1–2). !e sanctuary includes the coastal waters from Table Rock Point to Quiet Corner, from the high tide mark to approximately 400 metres o#shore.
    [Show full text]
  • Dimorphism and the Functional Basis of Claw Strength in Six Brachyuran Crabs
    J. Zool., Lond. (2001) 255, 105±119 # 2001 The Zoological Society of London Printed in the United Kingdom Dimorphism and the functional basis of claw strength in six brachyuran crabs Steve C. Schenk1 and Peter C. Wainwright2 1 Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, U.S.A. 2 Section of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A. (Accepted 7 November 2000) Abstract By examining the morphological basis of force generation in the chelae (claws) of both molluscivorous and non-molluscivorous crabs, it is possible to understand better the difference between general crab claw design and the morphology associated with durophagy. This comparative study investigates the mor- phology underlying claw force production and intraspeci®c claw dimorphism in six brachyuran crabs: Callinectes sapidus (Portunidae), Libinia emarginata (Majidae), Ocypode quadrata (Ocypodidae), Menippe mercenaria (Xanthidae), Panopeus herbstii (Xanthidae), and P. obesus (Xanthidae). The crushers of the three molluscivorous xanthids consistently proved to be morphologically `strong,' having largest mechan- ical advantages (MAs), mean angles of pinnation (MAPs), and physiological cross-sectional areas (PCSAs). However, some patterns of variation (e.g. low MA in C. sapidus, indistinguishable force generation potential in the xanthids) suggested that a quantitative assessment of occlusion and dentition is needed to understand fully the relationship between force generation and diet. Interspeci®c differences in force generation potential seemed mainly to be a function of differences in chela closer muscle cross- sectional area, due to a sixfold variation in apodeme area. Intraspeci®c dimorphism was generally de®ned by tall crushers with long in-levers, though O.
    [Show full text]
  • MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY of the NERITIDAE (GASTROPODA: NERITIMORPHA) BASED on the MITOCHONDRIAL GENES CYTOCHROME OXIDASE I (COI) and 16S Rrna
    ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA Artículo de investigación MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE NERITIDAE (GASTROPODA: NERITIMORPHA) BASED ON THE MITOCHONDRIAL GENES CYTOCHROME OXIDASE I (COI) AND 16S rRNA Filogenia molecular de la familia Neritidae (Gastropoda: Neritimorpha) con base en los genes mitocondriales citocromo oxidasa I (COI) y 16S rRNA JULIAN QUINTERO-GALVIS 1, Biólogo; LYDA RAQUEL CASTRO 1,2 , Ph. D. 1 Grupo de Investigación en Evolución, Sistemática y Ecología Molecular. INTROPIC. Universidad del Magdalena. Carrera 32# 22 - 08. Santa Marta, Colombia. [email protected]. 2 Programa Biología. Universidad del Magdalena. Laboratorio 2. Carrera 32 # 22 - 08. Sector San Pedro Alejandrino. Santa Marta, Colombia. Tel.: (57 5) 430 12 92, ext. 273. [email protected]. Corresponding author: [email protected]. Presentado el 15 de abril de 2013, aceptado el 18 de junio de 2013, correcciones el 26 de junio de 2013. ABSTRACT The family Neritidae has representatives in tropical and subtropical regions that occur in a variety of environments, and its known fossil record dates back to the late Cretaceous. However there have been few studies of molecular phylogeny in this family. We performed a phylogenetic reconstruction of the family Neritidae using the COI (722 bp) and the 16S rRNA (559 bp) regions of the mitochondrial genome. Neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were performed. The best phylogenetic reconstruction was obtained using the COI region, and we consider it an appropriate marker for phylogenetic studies within the group. Consensus analysis (COI +16S rRNA) generally obtained the same tree topologies and confirmed that the genus Nerita is monophyletic. The consensus analysis using parsimony recovered a monophyletic group consisting of the genera Neritina , Septaria , Theodoxus , Puperita , and Clithon , while in the Bayesian analyses Theodoxus is separated from the other genera.
    [Show full text]
  • Predatory Shore Crab Ozius Truncutus (Decapoda: Xanthidae)
    d 0 The Feeding Ecology and Behaviour of a predatory shore crab Ozius truncutus (Decapoda: Xanthidae) Kalayarasy Sivaguru ,r$Bi-, $ tu.r \"i1;*" lil ilIillililili liltilillIlt til Thesis Library- EUSL A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand, 1997 37 421 Abstract $,1FfJ'l rlIl fr[][NC Pr 1;1:i11r This thesis documents some aspects of the population ecology, feeding biology and behaviour of the shore crab Ozius truncatus (Decapod: Brachyura: Xanthidae), both in laboratory experiments and field sampling. Field research was carried out at Echinoderm Reef near the University of Auckland's Leigh Marine Laboratory in nofih-eastem New Zealand. 0.truncatus is a predator, sparsely distributed in patches of cobbles in mid to upper regions of the shore. Its distribution overlaps with a wide range of food items in the habitat, including other crabs, coiled gastropods, limpets and chitons. It forages primarily within the cobble patches. Prey species in this habitat on Echinoderm Reef appear to be abundant and crab numbers are considered too low to have a major impact on prey populations. The crab size most frequently encountered on Echinodem Reef was between 20-45 mm carapace length (C[,) but there was no clear size structure to indicate particular age groups. Strong recruitment occurred from January to March 1997 and was much higher in 1!97 than in the corresponding period of 1996. Ovigerous females were observed from October 1996 to February 1997, with a peak in November 1996. The cheiipeds of male and female O.trurtcalus are dimorphic, as in most other molluscivorous crabs, and are used to break open the shells of prey.
    [Show full text]
  • Sediment Disturbance Associated with Trampling by Humans Alters Species Assemblages on a Rocky Intertidal Seashore
    Vol. 472: 129–140, 2013 MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published January 9 doi: 10.3354/meps10120 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Sediment disturbance associated with trampling by humans alters species assemblages on a rocky intertidal seashore Todd E. Minchinton1,*, Katie J. Fels2,3 1Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia 2School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia 3Present address: Sinclair Knight Merz, 33 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia ABSTRACT: Our observations reveal that species living on rocky intertidal reefs can be positively and negatively associated with increasing sediment load. We therefore tested the hypothesis that sediment disturbance, including increased sediment loads associated with trampling by humans, alters the abundance of macroinvertebrates on a sheltered rocky intertidal platform in southern Australia. First we trampled the reef in shallow water at several disturbance intensities, simulating different numbers of people walking on the platform on a rising tide, and determined that sedi- ment load was directly related to trampling intensity. Trampling displaced sediment, and up to an order of magnitude more sediment accumulated on the reef near intensively trampled areas com- pared to those with natural sedimentation. We then manipulated sediment load on the reef to mimic increased sedimentation due to trampling and other potential human (e.g. terrestrial run- off) and natural (e.g. storms) disturbances, and monitored changes to dominant species. Sediment addition increased the cover and depth of sediment on the reef. Increased sediment load nega- tively impacted barnacles, but not mussels, which occur naturally bound in a sediment matrix in small depressions on the platform.
    [Show full text]
  • Molluscs and Echinoderms from the Emily Bay Settlement Site, Norfolk Island
    © Copyright Australian Museum, 2001 Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 27 (2001): 109–114. ISBN 0 7347 2305 9 Molluscs and Echinoderms from the Emily Bay Settlement Site, Norfolk Island COLIN R. CAMPBELL1 AND LYN SCHMIDT2 1 BC Environmental Network, 1260 Oxford Street, Victoria BC V8V 2V5, Canada [email protected] 2 Department of Archaeology & Natural History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia [email protected] ABSTRACT. The Emily Bay archaeological molluscan fauna as an ensemble is almost entirely intertidal in its natural occurrence, with seven species preferring sand or mud substrates and 13 species preferring hard substrates. The only exceptions are the pelagic cephalopods Nautilus and Spirula. The gastropod species Nerita atramentosa is dominant in both numbers and by weight. The rocky intertidal platform was the focus of mollusc collecting. The four most common species derive from this zone and habitually cluster in colonies, which would have made them a preferred prey. Among the many factors that may have contributed to eventual abandonment of Norfolk Island, a scarcity of easily harvestable coastal marine resources would probably have been significant. CAMPBELL, COLIN R., AND LYN SCHMIDT, 2001. Molluscs and echinoderms from the Emily Bay settlement site, Norfolk Island. In The Prehistoric Archaeology of Norfolk Island, Southwest Pacific, ed. Atholl Anderson and Peter White, pp. 109–114. Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 27. Sydney: Australian Museum. It is assumed that those food resources on Norfolk Island restricted largely to the Kingston lagoon and only rocky that could be collected by people immediately on arrival shores are extensive.
    [Show full text]
  • Keeping Warm in the Cold on the Thermal Benefits of Aggregation
    Journal of Thermal Biology 37 (2012) 640–647 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Journal of Thermal Biology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jtherbio Keeping warm in the cold: On the thermal benefits of aggregation behaviour in an intertidal ectotherm Coraline Chapperon a,n, Laurent Seuront a,b,c a School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia b South Australian Research and Development Institute, Aquatic Sciences, West Beach, SA 5022, Australia c Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d’Oce´anologie et de Ge´osciences, UMR LOG 8187, Universite´ des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Station Marine, Wimereux, France article info abstract Article history: Temperature is a primary determinant for species geographic ranges. In the context of global warming, Received 28 March 2012 most attention focuses upon the potential effects of heat stress on the future distribution of Accepted 6 August 2012 ectothermic species. Much less attention has, however, been given to cold thermal stress although it Available online 23 August 2012 also sets species thermal window limits, hence distribution ranges. This study was conducted in winter Keywords: on a South-Australian rocky shore in order to investigate the potential thermal benefits of the Thermoregulatory behavior aggregation behavior observed in the dominant gastropod Nerita atramentosa. Thermal imaging was Aggregation used to measure the body temperatures of 3681 aggregated individuals and 226 solitary individuals, Ectotherm and surrounding substratum temperature. N. atramentosa aggregates and solitary individuals were Intertidal significantly warmer than their surrounding substratum. The temperature deviation between aggre- Cold adaptation gates and substratum was, however, ca.
    [Show full text]
  • Biotic Resistance Experienced by an Invasive Crustacean in a Temperate Estuary
    Biological Invasions 5: 33–43, 2003. © 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. Biotic resistance experienced by an invasive crustacean in a temperate estuary Christopher E. Hunt1,3 & Sylvia BehrensYamada2,∗ 1Environmental Science Program, 2Zoology Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2914, USA; 3Scientific Applications International Corporation, 18706 N. Creek Parkway, Suite 110, Bothell, WA 98011, USA; ∗Author for correspondence (e-mail: [email protected]; fax: +1-541-737-0501) Received 30 June 2001; accepted in revised form 11 March 2002 Key words: biotic resistance, Cancer productus, Carcinus maenas, green crab, invasion, predation, temperate estuary Abstract Communities high in species diversity tend to be more successful in resisting invaders than those low in species diversity. It has been proposed that the biotic resistance offered by native predators, competitors and disease organisms plays a role. In Yaquina Bay, Oregon, we observed very little overlap in the distribution of the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas, and the larger red rock crab, Cancer productus. C. productus dominates the more saline, cooler lower estuary and C. maenas, the less saline, warmer upper estuary. Because caged C. maenas survive well in the lower estuary, we decided to test the hypothesis that C. productus prey on C. maenas and thus contribute to their exclusion from the more physically benign lower estuary. A laboratory species interaction experiment was designed to determine whether C. productus preys on smaller C. maenas at a higher rate than on smaller crabs of their own species. Crabs of both species were collected and sorted by weight into three size classes: small, medium and large.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter Issn 1834-4259 No
    ACN 067 894848 MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA NEWSLETTER ISSN 1834-4259 NO. 140 MARCH 2011 Note from the guest editor Dr Kirsten Benkendorff Email: [email protected] It has been a pleasure to edit the first issue of Aus- lished a taxonomic review of molluscan chemistry tralasian Shell news for 2011. There is so much excit- (Benkendorff 2010). The anticancer extract from the ing molluscan research going on in Australian at the whelk Dicathais orbita has recently passed through the moment that it was no trouble finding articles to in- clude in this issue. From the depths of Antarctica to the rain forest of Northern NSW, there should be something here to interest all our members! Molluscs have also featured prominently in the news over the last few months – but unfortunately the news is not so good, reporting large scale mortali- ties of molluscs in many areas around Australia, as well as overseas. In some cases the cause is known to be disease, with new Herpes viruses causing major problems for the abalone and oyster industries. In other cases the causes are more speculative, such as seismic activity in Tasmania and agricultural run-off in Northern NSW. All these mortality incidents highlight the urgent need for more research aimed at assessing Dr. Kirsten Benkendorff our molluscan diversity and better understanding the impact of anthropogenic stressors and the cumulative first preclinical trial in rodents. The extract was found effects of climate change. to prevent tumor formation in a model for colorectal As part of an Australian Seafood CRC project at cancer (Westley et al 2010) Flinders University, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Lipson Island Baseline Flora and Fauna Report and Assessment of Risk
    Donato Environmental Services ABN: 68083 254 015 Mobile: 0417 819 196 Int’l mobile: +61 417 819 196 Email: [email protected] Lipson Island baseline flora and fauna report and assessment of risk Final report to: Golder Associates November 2011 FINAL REPORT Lipson Island baseline flora and fauna report and assessment of risk Disclaimer This report has been prepared and produced by Donato Environmental Services (ABN 68083 254 015) in good faith and in line with the Terms of Engagement between Golder Associates Pty Ltd and Donato Environmental Services. Citation Madden-Hallett, D. M., Hammer, M., Gursansky, W. and Donato, D. B., 2011. Lipson Island baseline flora and fauna report and assessment of risk. For Golder Associates, Donato Environmental Services, Darwin. Table 1. Distribution Receivers Copies Date Issued Contact name Golder Associates Draft report (electronic) 11 July 2011 Rebecca Powlett DES Draft report (electronic) 31 August 2011 Danielle Madden- Hallett Golder Associates Final report (electronic) 16 September 2011Rebecca Powlett DES Electronic comment 26 October 2011 David Donato Golder Associates Final report (electronic) 30 October 2011 Jennifer Boniface DES Electronic comment 1 November 2011 David Donato Golder Associates Final report (electronic) 7 November 2011 Jennifer Boniface ii Lipson Island baseline flora and fauna report and assessment of risk Executive Golder Associates Pty Ltd approached Donato Environmental Services (DES) for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of flora and fauna within the Lipson summary Island Conservation Park, including the intertidal environments. Centrex Metals Ltd (Centrex) has extensive tenement holdings over iron ore resources and exploration targets on Eyre Peninsula in the southern Gawler Craton.
    [Show full text]