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- Title
Type III functional response in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha.
- Authors
Sarnelle, Orlando; White, Jeffrey D.; Geelhoed, Theresa E.; Kozel, Carrie L.; Smith, Ralph
- Abstract
Distinguishing between functional response types requires observations at low food concentrations, but surprisingly these tend to be rare. A paucity of feeding observations at low food concentrations is especially acute for dreissenid mussels, despite their importance as invading species in fresh waters. We assessed the functional response of zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha) via feeding experiments and behavioral observations conducted at low food levels. Critically, food levels were chosen to be in the vicinity of minimum concentrations found in lakes with established D. polymorpha populations. Results of two feeding experiments show clear evidence of a Type III functional response for D. polymorpha feeding on Ankistrodesmus falcatus - clearance rate increased with increasing food concentration at low food levels. Mussels were always open and feeding during these experiments. An independent set of behavioral observations further showed that the fraction of mussels actively feeding (valves open, siphons extended) decreased as food concentrations decreased. We also measured somatic growth of juvenile mussels at varying levels of A. falcatus over 27 days and found that mussels were able to grow at food levels where Type III behavior was observed in the feeding experiments.
- Subjects
ZEBRA mussel; MOLLUSKS; ANKISTRODESMUS falcatus; BIOCONCENTRATION; ANIMAL feeding behavior; ANIMAL behavior; FOOD
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 2015, Vol 72, Issue 8, p1202
- ISSN
0706-652X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/cjfas-2015-0076