Effects of predator and habitat diversity on coastal food webs, a mesocosm study from June-September, 2017

Abstract

These datasets were generated from mesocosm experiments conducted from June to September 2017 to examine the effects of predator and habitat diversity on trophic interactions of common coastal fish and crustacean species of the Gulf of Mexico. Prey assemblages composed of diamond killifish (Fundulus xenicus), juvenile Atlantic blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) were exposed to combinations of 4 predator species (red drum [Sciaenops ocellatus], Gulf killifish [Fundulus grandis], Gulf toadfish [Opsanus beta], and adult blue crabs [C. sapidus]) and artificial habitats representing 3 habitat forming species (smooth cordgrass [Spartina alterniflora] represented by wooden dowel rods, eastern oyster [Crassostrea virginica] represented by 3D printed PLA oyster clumps, shoal grass [Halodule wrightii] represented by artificial seagrass units (ASU) composed of green ribbon tied to vexar mesh). Prey assemblages were exposed to predator monocultures (4 individuals of 1 species) and polycultures (1 individual from each of 4 species) in habitat monocultures (full bottom coverage of 1 habitat) and polycultures (1/3 bottom coverage of each of 3 habitats). Prey survival was recorded at the end of each 48-hour experiment.

Purpose

These datasets show the results of an experiment examining effects of habitat and predator diversity on prey populations. Analysis of these data will examine differences in prey survival in different habitat morphologies and a mix of different habitats in the presence of different predator communities (single species and multiple species treatments).

DOI: doi:10.7266/n7-hhfy-e805

Suggested Citation

Valentine, John F.; Martin, Charles W.; Alford, Scott B.. 2018. Effects of predator and habitat diversity on coastal food webs, a mesocosm study from June-September, 2017. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-hhfy-e805

Funded by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)

Funding cycle: RFP-IV

Research group: Alabama Center for Ecological Resilience (ACER)