Size-dependent functional response of Xenopus laevis feeding on mosquito larvae

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorThorp, Corey J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorAlexander, Mhairi E.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVonesh, James R.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMeasey, Johnen_ZA
dc.contributor.editorKramer, Donalden_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-22T12:26:02Z
dc.date.available2019-10-22T12:26:02Z
dc.date.issued2018-10-26
dc.descriptionCITATION: Thorp, C. J., et al. 2018. Size-dependent functional response of Xenopus laevis feeding on mosquito larvae. PeerJ, 6:e5813, doi:10.7717/peerj.5813.en_ZA
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://peerj.comen_ZA
dc.description.abstractPredators can play an important role in regulating prey abundance and diversity, determining food web structure and function, and contributing to important ecosystem services, including the regulation of agricultural pests and disease vectors. Thus, the ability to predict predator impact on prey is an important goal in ecology. Often, predators of the same species are assumed to be functionally equivalent, despite considerable individual variation in predator traits known to be important for shaping predator–prey interactions, like body size. This assumption may greatly oversimplify our understanding of within-species functional diversity and undermine our ability to predict predator effects on prey. Here, we examine the degree to which predator–prey interactions are functionally homogenous across a natural range of predator body sizes. Specifically, we quantify the size-dependence of the functional response of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) preying on mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens). Three size classes of predators, small (15–30 mm snout-vent length), medium (50–60 mm) and large (105–120 mm), were presented with five densities of prey to determine functional response type and to estimate search efficiency and handling time parameters generated from the models. The results of mesocosm experiments showed that type of functional response of X. laevis changed with size: small predators exhibited a Type II response, while medium and large predators exhibited Type III responses. Functional response data showed an inversely proportional relationship between predator attack rate and predator size. Small and medium predators had highest and lowest handling time, respectively. The change in functional response with the size of predator suggests that predators with overlapping cohorts may have a dynamic impact on prey populations. Therefore, predicting the functional response of a single size-matched predator in an experiment may misrepresent the predator’s potential impact on a prey population.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://peerj.com/articles/5813/
dc.description.versionPublisher's versionen_ZA
dc.format.extent16 page : illustrationsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationThorp, C. J., et al. 2018. Size-dependent functional response of Xenopus laevis feeding on mosquito larvae. PeerJ, 6:e5813, doi:10.7717/peerj.5813en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2167-8359 (online)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.7717/peerj.5813
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106695
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherPeerJen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectPredatorsen_ZA
dc.subjectXenopus laevis -- Feeding and feedsen_ZA
dc.subjectPredator-prey interactionsen_ZA
dc.subjectAnimal behavioren_ZA
dc.subjectPredator size on functional responseen_ZA
dc.titleSize-dependent functional response of Xenopus laevis feeding on mosquito larvaeen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thorp_size_2018.pdf
Size:
678.35 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download article
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Research Articles (Botany and Zoology)