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Can differential predation of native and alien corixids explain the success of Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis (Hemiptera, Corixidae) in the Iberian Peninsula?

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Abstract

Invasive species represent an increasing fraction of aquatic biota. However, studies on the role and consequences of facilitative interactions among aliens remain scarce. Here, we investigated whether the spread of the alien water boatman Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis in the Iberian Peninsula is related to reduced mortality from predation compared with native Corixidae, especially since Trichocorixa co-occurs with the invasive fishes Gambusia holbrooki and Fundulus heteroclitus. All three invaders have a common native range in North America and are widespread in and around Doñana in SW Spain. Using laboratory experiments, we compared the predation rates by the two exotic fish and native Odonata larvae on Trichocorixa and the native Sigara lateralis. We found no evidence to suggest that Trichocorixa suffers lower predation rates. However, when both corixids were mixed together, predation of Trichocorixa by Odonata larvae was higher. Odonata larvae were size-limited predators and the proportion of corixids ingested was positively correlated with mask length. Since Trichocorixa is smaller than its native competitors, this may explain their higher susceptibility to predation by Odonata. This may be one of various factors explaining why Trichocorixa is particularly dominant in saline habitats where Odonata are rare, while it is still scarce in fresh waters.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Project P10-RNM-6262 financed by the Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (including FEDER funds), and by a JAE predoctoral grant from CSIC. Research permits were provided by Doñana National and Natural Park, Regional Andalusian Government (Consejería de Medio Ambiente). Fish capture and handling was approved by the CSIC Animal Bioethics Committee. We are grateful to Raquel López Luque and Carmen Diz-Salgado for laboratory and field assistance. We also thank J. Miguel Medialdea and Pesquerías Isla Mayor, S.A. for providing facilities during fieldwork in Veta la Palma fish farm.

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  1. Luz Boyero

    Present address: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wetland Ecology Department, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain

    Cristina Coccia, Luz Boyero & Andy J. Green

  2. School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia

    Luz Boyero

  3. IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain

    Luz Boyero

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  1. Cristina Coccia
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Correspondence to Cristina Coccia.

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Coccia, C., Boyero, L. & Green, A.J. Can differential predation of native and alien corixids explain the success of Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis (Hemiptera, Corixidae) in the Iberian Peninsula?. Hydrobiologia 734, 115–123 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1873-x

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