The role of the sensory environment and predator chemical signal properties in determining NCE strength in cascading interactions on oyster reefs

在本项目中，研究人员将通过降低中级泥蟹捕食者的密度（消耗效应，CEs）和抑制觅食（非消耗效应，NCEs）来研究顶级蓝蟹捕食者间接有利于基底牡蛎猎物丰度的能力。这些nce是由蓝蟹尿液中厌恶线索的化学感知介导的，并产生行为介导的营养级联。通过一系列的操纵实验，研究人员将研究这种行为介导的营养级联的强度是如何被调节的，以及影响感知范围的因素，如捕食者的饮食和摄取率，以及流动环境。调查人员还将确定化学线索的化学特性、浓度和释放速度。识别厌恶线索的数量和分子方面，并将它们与产生营养级联的行为反应联系起来，建立了猎物风险感知的化学基础，以及如何将其转化为级联生态效应。使用感知范围作为评估化学和环境影响的框架，提供了影响化学介导的nce的过程的综合视图。利用水生捕食者-猎物信号系统来测试nce强度的想法应该有广泛的应用。更广泛的影响包括跨学科培训和对三名研究生的支持，本科生培训，以及与佐治亚州自然资源部合作，将研究成果转化为渔业管理和牡蛎养殖的改进技术。获得资助的研究生将被鼓励参加乔治亚理工学院的“教学技术”项目，该项目支持K-12的教学工作。助教将接受课堂管理、教学理论和暑期课程教学策略方面的培训。

In this project, the investigators will examine the ability of top blue crab predators to indirectly benefit the abundance of basal oyster prey by reducing the density (consumptive effects, CEs) and suppressing foraging (non-consumptive effects, NCEs) of intermediate mud crab predators. These NCEs are mediated by chemical perception of aversive cues in blue crab urine and produce a behaviorally mediated trophic cascade. Through a series of manipulative experiments, the investigators will examine how the strength of this behaviorally-mediated trophic cascade is modulated and factors that influence perceptive range such as predator diet and intake rate, and the flow environment. The investigators will also determine the chemical identity, concentration and release rate of chemical cues. Identifying the quantitative and molecular aspects of aversive cues, and linking them to behavioral responses that produce trophic cascades establishes the chemical basis of risk perception by prey and how this translates into cascading ecological effects. The use of perceptive range as a framework for evaluating the effects of both chemistry and environment provides an integrated view of processes affecting chemically-mediated NCEs. The use of a water borne predator-prey signaling system to test ideas on the strength of NCEs should have broad applications.The broader impacts include interdisciplinary training and support for three graduate students, undergraduate training, and collaborations with Georgia Department of Natural Resources to translate research results into improved techniques for fisheries management and oyster aquaculture. Graduate students funded will be encouraged to participate in Georgia Tech's "Tech for Teaching" program, which supports K-12 teaching efforts. Teaching fellows will be trained in classroom management, pedagogical theory, and strategies for teaching a summer course.