Abstract
Streams naturally enriched with metals from runoffs or discharges of lava aquifers are common in active volcanic islands. In the Azores archipelago, some streams are naturally acidic and have high concentrations of metals (such as Fe, Al, and Mn). Here, we exposed leaf litter differing in physical and chemical characteristics (high-quality litter of exotic Alnus glutinosa as a reference, and recalcitrant litter of native Ilex perado and Laurus azorica) in a stream naturally enriched with metals and in a reference stream (i.e., low metal concentration) for 2 weeks. Subsequently, we used the metal-enriched leaf litter and the reference leaf litter to assess feeding preferences, consumption, growth, and survival of the endemic Azorean shredder caddisfly Limnephilus atlanticus. In feeding preference trials, when given a choice of reference leaves, shredders significantly preferred A. glutinosa over the other species, while when given a choice of metal-enriched leaves, they significantly preferred I. perado over L. azorica. Moreover, when given a choice, L. atlanticus significantly preferred reference over metal-enriched leaves (except for I. perado, where no preference was found). In long-term (3-week) trials, the larvae relative consumption rate was higher in metal-enriched than in reference leaves for A. glutinosa, while no significant difference was found between leaf types for I. perado and L. azorica. The larvae relative growth rate did not significantly differ between reference and metal-enriched leaves. Larvae consumption and growth was generally higher when individuals fed on A. glutinosa and I. perado leaves than on L. azorica leaves. No significant differences were found in survival among leaf types or species. In conclusion, shredders’ performance was more affected by litter characteristics than by metal enrichment of leaf litter. This suggests that recalcitrant native litter may buffer the effects of metal enrichment on detrital consumers in Azorean streams.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded by FRCT-Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (SRMCT-Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo Regional dos Açores; refª M3.1. a/F/040/2020, granted to A.B.) and by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (CEEIND/02484/2018 granted to V.F., DL57/2016/ICETA/EEC2018/25 granted to P.M.R., UID/BIA/50027/2020 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006821 granted to V.G.). Water and leaf litter metal determinations were ordered to MARINNOVA laboratory (Porto, Portugal). Leaf litter nitrogen and carbon determinations were ordered to Instituto do Ambiente, Tecnologia e Vida (IATV, University of Coimbra, Portugal). We thank the Freshwater Ecology Group from the University of the Azores for the help in the field work. The surveys performed comply with the current laws of Portugal.
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P.M.R., V.G., and V.F. conceived the study, A.B. and P.M.R. carried out the work, A.B. performed the data analysis and wrote the first version of the manuscript with inputs from all authors, and P.M.R., V.G., and V.F. provided the funding.
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Balibrea, A., Ferreira, V., Gonçalves, V. et al. Effects of leaf litter naturally enriched with metals on consumption, growth, and survival of an endemic Azorean shredder. Aquat Sci 85, 65 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-023-00962-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-023-00962-y