2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/22/2018 | 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | STOICHIOMETRIC NICHES IN A SPECIES-RICH COMMUNITY | 321
STOICHIOMETRIC NICHES IN A SPECIES-RICH COMMUNITY
The elemental composition of living organisms is known to shape their ecology and influence the structure and functioning of ecological systems. Here we examined the biogeochemical niches of multiple unionid mussel species that co-occur in species-rich and dense communities. We sampled mussel abundance and the tissue nutrient content (C, N, P) of six mussel species across six sites in the Sipsey River, Alabama. We described each species’ multidimensional stoichiometric niche by calculating the: 1) stoichiometric niche volume; 2) stoichiometric niche overlap and nestedness; 3) stoichiometric niche shape. Further, we examined the relationship between tissue and excretion stoichiometric ratios (N:P). Overall, our results suggest that there are phylogenetic signatures in biogeochemical niches and there is some partitioning of elemental needs within this species-rich community. Most notably, Lampsilini species tended to occupy a larger biogeochemical niche volume, but clustered in a different space than species from other phylogenetic tribes. This variation leads to species-specific differences in nutrient excretion stoichiometry, but not differences in egesta stoichiometry. In the future, we plan to examine other functional traits in these organisms to fully understand niche partitioning and the ecological functions provided by species-rich communities.
- Biodiversity
- Nutrient Recycling
- Mussel
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Presenters/Authors
Carla L. Atkinson
(), University of Alabama, carlalatkinson@gmail.com;
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Brian van Ee
(), University of Alabama, bcvanee@gmail.com;
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Monica M. Winebarger
(), University of Alabama, mmwinebarger@crimson.ua.edu;
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