Importance of Vascular Plant and Algal Production to Macro-invertebrate Consumers in a Southern California Salt Marsh
Importance of Vascular Plant and Algal Production to Macro-invertebrate Consumers in a Southern California Salt Marsh
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维管束植物和藻类生产对南加州盐沼大型无脊椎动物消费者的重要性
DOI:
10.1006/ecss.1997.0254
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发表时间:
1997
影响因子:
2.8
通讯作者:
H. Page
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
H. Page
Abstract The dietary importance of marsh vascular plants (primarily Salicornia virginica ), algae and upland particulate inputs to macro-invertebrate consumers was studied in Carpinteria Salt Marsh, southern California, using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. This marsh is predominantly a marine or hypersaline system and succulents are the most common vascular plant species. Of invertebrates collected from the vegetated marsh, tidal flats and channels, only detritivores from the vegetated marsh ( Traskorchestia traskiana , Melampus olivaceus ) had isotope values (δ 13 C=−20‰) that suggested some use of Salicornia -derived carbon. T. traskiana cultured in the laboratory on decomposing S. virginica or blue-green micro-algal mat had distinctive isotopic signatures, reflecting the capability of this consumer to assimilate carbon and nitrogen derived from these sources. The δ 13 C values (generally −16‰ to −15‰) of species from tidal flats and channels (e.g. Cerithidea californica , Protothaca staminea , Mytilus galloprovincialis , Neotrypaea californiensis ) were most similar to values for benthic algae and phytoplankton. Specimens of M. galloprovincialis along a gradient of presumed increase in marine influence had similar isotope values, suggesting little contribution to diet from upland runoff. The present results differ most noticeably from published values in the 13 C enrichment of suspension-feeders, suggesting the use of resuspended 13 C-enriched benthic microalgae in tidal channels by these consumers, and in the 13 C depletion and 15 N enrichment of plants and consumers along a portion of the marsh boundary receiving inputs of nutrient-enriched perched groundwater. In general, the isotopic composition of macro-invertebrates indicated the incorporation of algal production rather than of S. virginica or upland sources into the marsh food web.