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Variable niche size of the giant mangrove whelk Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) in a subtropical estuary

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Abstract

Gastropods are integral components of mangrove ecosystems as they retain primary carbon by consuming leaf litter. However, alternative primary sources may make a significant contribution toward the diets of primary consumers in subtropical mangroves due to seasonal processes that impact the availability and nutritional quality of the leaf litter. The variability of the dietary niche for the giant mangrove whelk Terebralia palustris was investigated using a stable isotope approach (δ15N and δ13C) in conjunction with gut contents analysis. The size of the isotopic niche for T. palustris was different between November (summer) and July (winter). Isotopic niches were larger in July, indicating higher dietary diversity. There was no overlap between isotopic niches of different-sized T. palustris, which indicates robust resource partitioning and an ontogenetic dietary shift. The C:N ratio of mangrove leaf litter ranged from 59.34 ± 0.9 in November to 201.66 ± 4.5 in July. The high C:N ratio observed in July could be driving the dietary diversification, if T. palustris preferably consumes more nutritious sources such as microphytobenthos. The variability in the diet of T. palustris is important when considering the ecological role of this species, as a link between mangrove primary productivity and higher trophic levels.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife organization for supporting this research, with special mention to Samuel Mthembu, Robert Kyle, and Ricky Taylor. Additional thanks go to Mike Butler at iThemba Labs in Pretoria for his assistance with sample analysis and data collation as well as to Schalk du Plooy, Bradley Ah Yui, and Christopher Nolte for their assistance in the field and in the laboratory. We are also grateful to the two anonymous reviewers as well as the Editor for providing valuable input that improved and strengthened the paper. Funding for this research was provided by the South African Research Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The funders played no role in the study design, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Summerstrand South Campus, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

    Jacqueline L. Raw, Renzo Perissinotto, Matthew S. Bird, Nelson A. F. Miranda & Nasreen Peer

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  1. Jacqueline L. Raw
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  2. Renzo Perissinotto
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Correspondence to Jacqueline L. Raw.

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Guest editors: K. W. Krauss, I. C. Feller, D. A. Friess, R. R. Lewis III / Causes and Consequences of Mangrove Ecosystem Responses to an Ever-Changing Climate

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Raw, J.L., Perissinotto, R., Bird, M.S. et al. Variable niche size of the giant mangrove whelk Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) in a subtropical estuary. Hydrobiologia 803, 265–282 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3223-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3223-2

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