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Predator-prey size interaction in tropical ponds

Abstract

An experiment was set-up to see in mortality inflicted by tadpole predators depends on prey and predator sizes. Fish and dragonfly larvae were used as predators and two size classes of Osteocephalus taurinus tadpoles as prey. Results show that the effect of predators is dependent on the size structure of the prey population. Furthermore, dragonfly larvae are more voracious predators than the fish used in the experiment. Both predators occur in natural ponds where Osteocephalus taurinus lays its eggs. The timing of arrival of predators and prey, which determines the relative sizes of predators and prey, is an important factor determining the outcome of an episode of community interaction in tropical ponds, as in similar temperate systems.


Predator-prey size interaction in tropical ponds

Claude Gascon

Department of Biological Sciences - Florida State University - Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2043

ABSTRACT

An experiment was set-up to see in mortality inflicted by tadpole predators depends on prey and predator sizes. Fish and dragonfly larvae were used as predators and two size classes of Osteocephalus taurinus tadpoles as prey. Results show that the effect of predators is dependent on the size structure of the prey population. Furthermore, dragonfly larvae are more voracious predators than the fish used in the experiment. Both predators occur in natural ponds where Osteocephalus taurinus lays its eggs. The timing of arrival of predators and prey, which determines the relative sizes of predators and prey, is an important factor determining the outcome of an episode of community interaction in tropical ponds, as in similar temperate systems.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was supported by a grant from World Wildlife Fund and a Grant-in-Aid of Research from Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Society. Additional support was provided from a Graduate Fellowship from FCAR (Quebec). This manuscript was greatly improved by comments by J. Travis, P. Stilling, M. Wong and P. Morin. This is publication of the Biological Dynamics of Tropical Forest Fragments Project (Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems Project).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    11 Aug 2009
  • Date of issue
    1989
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