Influence of salinity and prey presence on the survival of aquatic macroinvertebrates of a freshwater marsh
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Abstract
Salinization of coastal freshwater environments is a global issue. Increased salinity from sea level rise, storm surges, or other mechanisms is common in coastal freshwater marshes of Louisiana, USA. The effects of salinity increases on aquatic macroinvertebrates in these systems have received little attention, despite the importance of aquatic macroinvertebrates for nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and as a food source for vertebrate species. We used microcosm experiments to evaluate the effects of salinity, duration of exposure, and prey availability on the relative survival of dominant aquatic macroinvertebrates (i.e., Procambarus clarkii Girard, Cambarellus puer Hobbs, Libellulidae, Dytiscidae cybister) in a freshwater marsh of southwestern Louisiana. We hypothesized that increased salinity, absence of prey, and increased duration of exposure would decrease survival of aquatic macroinvertebrates and that crustaceans would have higher survival than aquatic insect taxon. Our first hypothesis was only partially supported as only salinity increases combined with prolonged exposure duration affected aquatic macroinvertebrate survival. Furthermore, crustaceans had higher survival than aquatic insects. Salinity stress may cause mortality when acting together with other stressful conditions.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Influence of salinity and prey presence on the survival of aquatic macroinvertebrates of a freshwater marsh |
| Series title | Aquatic Ecology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10452-012-9410-3 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Nederlandse Vereniging voor Aquatische Ecologie |
| Publisher location | Dordrecht |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Atlanta |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 411 |
| Last page | 420 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |