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Predation by dipteran larvae on fairy shrimp (Crustacea: Anostraca) in Utah rock pools

Southwestern Naturalist
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Abstract

A series of experiments examined how ecological factors affect notonectid foraging success on fairy shrimp. Variation in pond depth over natural ranges had no direct effect on notonectid ability to capture fairy shrimp. Decreases in water clarity over natural ranges led to decreased notonectid ability to capture fairy shrimp. This corresponds with the observation that six weeks after the fairy shrimp hatched they were more likely to be present in cloudy ponds than in ponds containing clearer water. If correct, this is a situation where physical factors have a major effect on how a biological interaction influences the local distribution of species. It appears water depth indirectly affects notonectid foraging rates, as shallow ponds are apparently made cloudy by wind-driven waves disturbing the bottom mud. These results suggest the notonectid-fairy shrimp interaction will not be a constant for any given pond, but will depend on abiotic factors like amount of rainfall and frequency of windy conditions.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Predation by dipteran larvae on fairy shrimp (Crustacea: Anostraca) in Utah rock pools
Series title Southwestern Naturalist
Volume 39
Issue 2
Year Published 1994
Language English
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description p. 206-207
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Southwestern Naturalist
First page 206
Last page 207
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