Effects of resource-dependent cannibalism on population size distribution and individual life history in a case-bearing caddisfly.

ABSTRACT: Resource availability often determines the intensity of cannibalism, which has a considerable effect on population size distribution and individual life history. Larvae of the caddisfly Psilotreta kisoensis build portable cases from sedimentary sands and often display cannibalism. For this species, the availability of preferable case material is a critical factor that affects larval fitness, and material is locally variable depending on the underlying geology. In this study, we investigated how sand quality as a case material determines cannibalism frequency among larvae and, in turn, how the differential cannibalism frequency affects the body-size distribution and voltinism. Rearing experiments within a cohort revealed that a bimodal size distribution developed regardless of material qual

SUBMITTER: Okano J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5842876 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature