Predatory impact of the freshwater invader Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea : Amphipoda)

J.T.A. Dick, D. Platvoet, D.W. Kelly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

212 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To assess the increasing threats to aquatic ecosystems from invasive species, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of impacts of current and predicted future invaders. Dikerogammarus villosus, a Ponto-Caspian amphipod crustacean, is invading throughout Europe and predicted to invade the North American Great Lakes. European field studies show that populations of macroinvertebrates decline after D. villosus invasion. The mechanism of such impacts has not been addressed empirically; however, D. villosus is known to prey upon and replace other amphipods. Therefore, in this study, we used microcosm and mesocosm laboratory experiments, with both single and mixed prey species scenarios, to assess any predatory impact of D. villosus on a range of macro invertebrate taxa, trophic groups, and body sizes. Dikerogammarus villosus predatory behaviour included shredding of prey and infliction of
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1078-1084
Number of pages7
JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science
Volume59
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aquatic Science

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