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Habitat complexity impacts persistence and species interactions in an intertidal whelk

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Abstract

Although experiments have shown that habitat structure may influence the distribution of species and species interactions, these effects are still not commonly integrated into studies of community dynamics. Since habitat structure often varies within and among communities, this may limit our understanding of how various factors influence communities. Here, we examined how mussel bed complexity (the presence and thickness of mussel layers) influenced the persistence of whelks (Nucella emarginata) and interactions with a top predator (ochre sea stars, Pisaster ochraceus) and prey (mussels, Mytilus californianus). Results from a mark–recapture experiment indicate that whelk recapture rates are higher in more complex habitats, and laboratory experiments demonstrate that habitat complexity affects whelk feeding, growth, and nonconsumptive interactions with a keystone predator. Habitat complexity therefore has direct effects on species and also may lead to trade-offs among feeding, refuge, and other factors, potentially influencing the distribution of whelks and the effects of both whelks and sea stars on intertidal communities. These results demonstrate that habitat structure may play an important role in intertidal communities and other habitats and should be further considered in the experimental design of future studies of community dynamics.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Jessica Beatty, Jennifer Chiu, James Jelks, Kylie Langlois, Teal Riege, Taylor Scott, and Louise Stevenson for their aid in completing this project. Input from Sarah Teck and Elizabeth Hoaglund improved the project and manuscript, as did input from two anonymous reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    J. Stephen Gosnell, Jamie B. DiPrima & Steven D. Gaines

  2. Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    Steven D. Gaines

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  1. J. Stephen Gosnell
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  2. Jamie B. DiPrima
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Correspondence to J. Stephen Gosnell.

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Communicated by F. Bulleri.

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Stephen Gosnell, J., DiPrima, J.B. & Gaines, S.D. Habitat complexity impacts persistence and species interactions in an intertidal whelk. Mar Biol 159, 2867–2874 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2047-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2047-x

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