Summary
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1.
Experiments were carried out on the effects of substrate type on the functional response of Plectrocnemia conspersa Curtis for two of its naturally occurring prey species.
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2.
For both prey species predation rate is depressed on substrates which correspond to those favoured by the prey in the field.
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3.
The difference between predation rate on simple and on certain more complex substrates is due to the provision of refuges for prey on the latter types.
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4.
Differences in predation rate on the two prey species are due to their different behaviour when caught in the predators net.
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5.
The influence of substrate on the functional response of P. conspersa is discussed in the context of the stability of predator-prey interactions and the availability of prey to predators.
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Hildrew, A.G., Townsend, C.R. The influence of substrate on the functional response of Plectrocnemia conspersa (Curtis) larvae (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae). Oecologia 31, 21–26 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348705
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348705