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Why do shallow-water predators migrate? Strategic models and empirical evidence from an estuarine mysid
Speirs, D.; Lawrie, S.; Raffaelli, D.; Gurney, W.; Emes, C. (2002). Why do shallow-water predators migrate? Strategic models and empirical evidence from an estuarine mysid. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 280(1-2): 13-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(02)00363-5
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 0022-0981; e-ISSN 1879-1697, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
    Aquatic organisms > Estuarine organisms
    Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Predators
    Behaviour > Migrations
    Behaviour > Migrations > Feeding migrations
    Behaviour > Migrations > Vertical migrations
    Behaviour > Orientation behaviour
    Behaviour > Protective behaviour
    Behavioural responses
    Dispersion
    Ecological zonation
    Environmental factors
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment > Intertidal environment
    Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Shelf dynamics > Estuarine dynamics
    Motion > Water motion > Water currents
    Motion > Water motion > Water currents > Tidal currents
    Taxa > Species > Migratory species
    Transport processes > Diffusion
    Velocity > Current velocity
    Mysida [WoRMS]; Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814) [WoRMS]
    Brackish water

Authors  Top 
  • Speirs, D.
  • Lawrie, S.
  • Raffaelli, D., more
  • Gurney, W.
  • Emes, C.

Abstract
    We investigated factors potentially affecting tidal migrations over the littoral zone by invertebrate predators via a combination of strategic modelling, field observations and laboratory experiments using the mysid Neomysis integer. The models predict the distribution of individuals over the immersed intertidal region under the three different scenarios of diffusive movement, movement up a gradient of prey abundance, and movement towards a specific water depth. We reject the diffusive spread hypothesis since the predicted changes in spatial patterns are qualitatively inconsistent with those of density estimates over the tidal cycle in the field. The foraging hypothesis was consistent with the field samples only if there was a consistent upshore food gradient. Gut contents analysis showed meiofaunal prey were rare, but that organic detritus was the main dietary component. Sediment samples indicated some evidence of an organic matter gradient, but in the laboratory, Neomysis showed no preference for sediment with high organic content. We therefore rejected the foraging hypothesis. The depth-seeking model was not rejected, but laboratory experiments involving responses to various predators of Neomysis provided only weak evidence that depth-seeking was a result of predator avoidance. We hypothesise that the proximate mechanism is most likely to involve behavioural responses to flow conditions.

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