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Coexistence in streams: do source–sink dynamics allow salamanders to persist with fish predators?

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Abstract

Theory suggests that source–sink dynamics can allow coexistence of intraguild predators and prey, but empirical evidence for this coexistence mechanism is limited. We used capture–mark–recapture, genetic methods, and stable isotopes to test whether source–sink dynamics promote coexistence between stream fishes, the intraguild predator, and stream salamanders (Dicamptodon aterrimus), the intraguild prey. Salamander populations from upstream reaches without fish were predicted to maintain or supplement sink populations in downstream reaches with fish. We found instead that downstream reaches with fish were not sinks even though fish consumed salamander larvae—apparent survival, recruitment, and population growth rate did not differ between upstream and downstream reaches. There was also no difference between upstream and downstream reaches in net emigration. We did find that D. aterrimus moved frequently along streams, but believe that this is a response to seasonal habitat changes rather than intraguild predation. Our study provides empirical evidence that local-scale mechanisms are more important than dispersal dynamics to coexistence of streams salamanders and fish. More broadly, it shows the value of empirical data on dispersal and gene flow for distinguishing between local and spatial mechanisms of coexistence.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by grants from the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology, Charlotte Martin Foundation, the Pacific Rivers Council, USGS Montana River Center, and the University of Montana. We thank Peter Marra of the Smithsonian OUSS/MCI Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry Facility for assistance with sample analysis. We thank Jeff Bates and Joe Hanlon for assisting with fieldwork. This study and manuscript benefited from the comments of Jason Dunham, Evan Grant, Blake Hossack, Scott McArt, Scott Mills, Mike Schwartz, Art Woods, and Mike Young. We thank Shannon McCarthy and Jenny Tollefson for their support.

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  1. Adam J. Sepulveda

    Present address: US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA

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  1. Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA

    Adam J. Sepulveda & Winsor H. Lowe

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  1. Adam J. Sepulveda
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Correspondence to Adam J. Sepulveda.

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Communicated by Anssi Laurila.

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Sepulveda, A.J., Lowe, W.H. Coexistence in streams: do source–sink dynamics allow salamanders to persist with fish predators?. Oecologia 166, 1043–1054 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-1935-y

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