Predator cannibalism can shift prey community composition toward dominance by small prey species.

ABSTRACT: Cannibalism among predators is a key intraspecific interaction affecting their density and foraging behavior, eventually modifying the strength of predation on heterospecific prey. Interestingly, previous studies showed that cannibalism among predators can increase or reduce predation on heterospecific prey; however, we know less about the factors that lead to these outcomes. Using a simple pond community consisting of Hynobius retardatus salamander larvae and their associated prey, I report empirical evidence that cannibalism among predators can increase predation on large heterospecific prey but reduce that on small heterospecific prey. In a field-enclosure experiment in which I manipulated the occurrence of salamander cannibalism, I found that salamander cannibalism increased pre

SUBMITTER: Takatsu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9077740 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature