Intraspecific variation in body size does not alter the effects of mesopredators on prey.

ABSTRACT: As humans continue to alter the species composition and size structure of marine food webs, it is critical to understand size-dependent effects of predators on prey. Yet, how shifts in predator body size mediate the effect of predators is understudied in tropical marine ecosystems, where anthropogenic harvest has indirectly increased the density and size of small-bodied predators. Here, we combine field surveys and a laboratory feeding experiment in coral reef fish communities to show that small and large predators of the same species can have similar effects. Specifically, surveys show that the presence of a small predator (Paracirrhites arcatus) was correlated with lower chances of prey fish presence, but these correlations were independent of predator size. Experimental trials co

SUBMITTER: Gallagher AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5210675 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature