10.5061/DRYAD.276J5
Krenek, Lauren
Rice University
Rudolf, Volker H. W.
Rice University
Data from: Allometric scaling of indirect effects: body size ratios
predict non-consumptive effects in multi-predator systems
Dryad
dataset
2015
ontogenetic niche shift
non-consumptive effect
interaction modification
Notonecta indica
multi-predator effect
Buenoa scimitra
Calanoid
2015-05-27T00:00:00Z
2015-05-27T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12254
7162 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
1. Non-consumptive effects (NCES) frequently lead to non-independent
effects of multiple predators. While such emergent predator effects are
ubiquitous in natural communities, the strength of these effects varies
among studies and systems, making it difficult to predict a priory how
changes in predator diversity influence prey suppression. Thus,
identifying general scaling rules which can explain this variation of
non-independent effects is vital for modeling natural communities and how
they respond to biodiversity loss. 2. Body size is a key trait determining
the nature and strength of ecological interactions. While great progress
has been made using allometric relationships to predict the interaction
strength of predator-prey pairs, it is unknown whether similar
relationships explain variation in the strength of NCEs, and how they are
related to consumptive effects. 3. Here we experimentally manipulate the
relative size difference of multiple predators to determine whether NCEs
follow general allometric scaling relationships in an aquatic
multi-predator system. 4. Results demonstrate that the presence and
strength of NCEs can vary dramatically across predator combinations.
However, this variation scaled predictably with the size ratio of
predators; increasing the size difference among predators increased NCEs.
This pattern was driven by a size-mediated shift in “food web motif” from
competition to intraguild predation and a positive correlation of NCEs and
intraguild predation rate. 5. Results indicate that models which assume
that consumers have independent effects are particularly likely to make
erroneous predictions when predators differ substantially in size, but
simple allometric relationships of NCEs could be used to correct this
bias.
Predator and prey survival dataThis file describes the initial density and
survival (and mortality) of a shared prey (copepods) and predators
(Buenoa), how many predators were added (initial + replaced dead
individuals), and the experimental treatments which manipulated the size
class of both predator species. Method details are given in the main
manuscript.Mortality_All_Dryad.csv
USA
Texas