Community disruption in small biogenic habitats: A coastal invader overcomes habitat complexity to alter community structure.

ABSTRACT: Non-indigenous species are often identified as threats to native species and communities. Yet, the mechanisms that enable many of these invaders to thrive and alter their newly invaded habitats are still not fully understood. This applies to habitats such as widespread sedimentary shorelines characterized by the presence of scattered biogenic clumps of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) structurally more complex than bare sediments. In Atlantic Canada, some of these shorelines are numerically dominated by native mud crabs (Dyspanopeus sayi) but have been gradually invaded by the European green crab (Carcinus maenas). This study describes between-habitat (mussel clump vs. bare sediment) differences in density and diversity of invertebrates. It also tests the impact of juvenile green crabs in com

SUBMITTER: Malyshev AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7588051 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature