Effect of predator presence and prey morph on decomposition

What is it about?

The role of inducible defenses on community and ecosystem dynamics, including possible trophic cascade effects is poorly understood. We examined the effect of predator presence and absence and shrimp phenotype (long rostrum versus short rostrum) on the foraging behaviour of X. elongata and on leaf-litter decomposition. Daytime foraging activities of long-rostrum shrimp, as well as leaf-litter processing by short-rostrum adult shrimp decreased in the presence of a predatory fish.

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Why is it important?

This study provides evidence that predators have different effects on prey with morphological inducible defenses than prey without defesces and that these interactions may have critical consequences for other trophic levels.

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