PARENT SESSION
Organized Oral Session 8: Contaminants in aquatic systems: Individual effects and community consequences.
Organizer(s): J Kerby and R Relyea
Monday, August 8, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Meeting Room 510b, Level 5, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Altered predator/prey interactions mediate ecological effects in contaminated estuaries.
Weis, Judith*,1, Weis, Peddrick2, MacDonald, James3, Reichmuth, Jessica 1, Bass, Celine3, 1 Rutgers University, Newark2 Univ. of Medicine and Dentistry - Newark, Newark, NJ3 Rutgers University, New Brunswick
ABSTRACT- Behavior is a sensitive individual-level response to contaminants, and one with clear ecological consequences. We have been studying killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from contaminated estuaries in northern NJ such as Piles Creek (PC) and comparing them with conspecifics from more pristine sites, such as Tuckerton NJ (TK) or Long Island NY (LI). Fish from contaminated sites tend to have impaired prey capture ability compared to fish from cleaner sites. Fish have reduced prey capture of grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), and reduced ability to avoid predation from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). These behavioral impairments are associated with population level differences - PC fish eat a diet with less live food and more detritus, and do not live as long or grow as well as fish from TK or LI, resulting in altered size-structure. Grass shrimp do not appear to be negatively impacted by the contaminants, but are more numerous and larger in size, probably due to release from predation from mummichogs, which are less numerous, smaller, and poor predators. Adult blue crabs from the general vicinity (Hackensack Meadowlands) have reduced prey capture ability for some prey (juvenile blue crabs, which have enhanced aggression) than adults from the reference site.
Key words: Fundulus heteroclitus, predator/prey, contamination, estuary