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The role of biotic resistance through predation on the invasion success of the green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus) into nearshore oyster reef communities.

Kinney, Kaitlin Alyse
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511958324786017

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
The northward spread of the non-native, invasive filter feeding crab Petrolisthes armatus into oyster reef communities along the Southeastern US is hypothesized to be limited by cold snaps associated with northern winters. However, several native predators in oyster reefs have been shown to consume this abundant and profitable prey item, suggesting that biotic resistance through predation may be an additional factor limiting its northward spread. My objectives were to 1) determine if the per capita predation risk exerted by native predators might be a factor that explains the current distribution of P. armatus, and 2) test whether the relative abundance of alternative native prey affects the consumption and preference of P. armatus by a native predatory crab Panopeus herbstii. I conducted a field study to quantify predation risk across 8 invaded estuary sites from St. Augustine, FL to North Inlet, SC and conducted a lab experiment to quantify the consumption of P. armatus when in low to high abundance relative to alternative native prey. While predation rates were high (68.2 – 98.2%) across sites, there was no relationship between predation and latitude across the 8 invaded estuaries. Furthermore, while P. herbstii increased consumption of P. armatus in response to increased abundance in the tank, P. herbstii always showed a preference for native prey regardless of its relative abundance. Overall, I found no evidence of biotic resistance through predation, suggesting that native predators do not prevent the spread of P. armatus and this species is likely to continue its expansion into northern waters as sea temperatures increase with climate change.
Lauren Pintor, Dr. (Advisor)
Stuart Ludsin, Dr. (Committee Member)
Christopher Tonra, Dr. (Committee Member)
James Byers, Dr. (Committee Member)
103 p.
Ecology; Environmental Studies; Natural Resource Management
biological invasion; biotic resistance; green porcelain crab; Petrolisthes armatus; geographic range; nonnative species; predator-prey; optimal foraging theory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kinney, K. A. (2017). The role of biotic resistance through predation on the invasion success of the green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus) into nearshore oyster reef communities. [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511958324786017

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kinney, Kaitlin. The role of biotic resistance through predation on the invasion success of the green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus) into nearshore oyster reef communities. 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511958324786017.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kinney, Kaitlin. "The role of biotic resistance through predation on the invasion success of the green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus) into nearshore oyster reef communities." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1511958324786017

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1511958324786017
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.