Intermediate predator naivete and sex-skewed vulnerability predict the impact of an invasive higher predator.

ABSTRACT: The spread of invasive species continues to reduce biodiversity across all regions and habitat types globally. However, invader impact prediction can be nebulous, and approaches often fail to integrate coupled direct and indirect invader effects. Here, we examine the ecological impacts of an invasive higher predator on lower trophic groups, further developing methodologies to more holistically quantify invader impact. We employ functional response (FR, resource use under different densities) and prey switching experiments to examine the trait- and density-mediated impacts of the invasive mosquitofish Gambusia affinis on an endemic intermediate predator Lovenula raynerae (Copepoda). Lovenula raynerae effectively consumed larval mosquitoes, but was naïve to mosquitofish cues, with attack rat

SUBMITTER: Cuthbert RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6155278 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature