2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/24/2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | IMPACTS OF INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION IN CRAYFISH BEHAVIORAL TRAITS ON STREAM ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION | Virtual Platform
IMPACTS OF INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION IN CRAYFISH BEHAVIORAL TRAITS ON STREAM ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION
Although intraspecific trait variation is increasingly recognized as having strong effects on ecosystem processes, few studies have examined the ecological significance of among-population variation in behavioral traits in natural ecosystems. In freshwater ecosystems, crayfish play a key role in the benthic-water column link and may affect ecosystem function by translocating benthic nutrients and organic matter to the water column. Here, we test whether population-level crayfish behavioral traits (boldness, activity, and foraging voracity) are stronger predictors of stream metabolism and leaf litter decomposition than environmental drivers (land use, light, and water temperature). To test this, we hand-collected Faxonius rusticus and Faxonius virilis from 21 streams across the midwestern USA, measured ecosystem function in the field, and quantified crayfish behavioral traits using laboratory assays. Our results suggest that crayfish behavioral traits often had a greater role in structuring rates of water column metabolism and leaf litter decomposition than environmental variables. However, intraspecific behavior-ecosystem links only occurred in F. rusticus, which is invasive throughout most of our study range. Thus, examining among-population trait variation in animals, especially invasive species, may be central to understanding the mechanisms shaping ecosystem functions.
- Biological effects
- Ecosystem Dynamics
- Decomposition
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Presenters/Authors
Bana Kabalan
(), University of Florida, bana.kabalan@ufl.edu;
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Marco Scarasso
(), The Ohio State University, scarasso.2@buckeyemail.osu.edu;
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Alexander Reisinger
(), University of Florida, reisingera@ufl.edu;
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Lauren M. Pintor
(), The Ohio State University, pintor.6@osu.edu;
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Lindsey Reisinger
(), University of Florida, lreisinger1@ufl.edu;
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