Abstract
Feeding on micro-algae is shown in the invasive Ponto-Caspian amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus. Compared with controls, males, females and juveniles of this species significantly reduced the concentration in suspension of unicellular micro-algae. Juveniles had higher concentrations of algae in the cardiac gut than adults. The presence of these algae in the mid- and hindgut was also recorded. This feeding behaviour was filmed and the mechanisms involved are described and discussed. We comment on the use of the Functional Feeding Group (FFG) concept to classify feeding in amphipods. The role of being a feeding-generalist in aiding the invasion process is also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson D.T. (1994). Barnacles. Chapman and Hall, London, Glasgow, New York, Tokyo, Melbourne, Madra
Bauer R.T. 1989. Decapod crustacean grooming: Functional morphology, adaptive value, and phylogenetic significance. In: Felgenhauer B.E., Watling L. and Thistle A.B. (eds), Functional Morphology of Feeding and Grooming in Crustacea. Crustacean Issues 6, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 49–73
Bij de Vaate A., Jazdzewski K., Ketelaars H.A.M., Gollasch S., Van der Velde G. (2002). Geographical patterns in range extension of Ponto-Caspian macroinvertebrate species in Europe. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59: 1159–1174
Bij de Vaate A. and Klink A.G. (1995). Dikerogammarus villosus Sowinsky (Crustacea, Gammaridae) a new immigrant in the Dutch part of the Lower Rhine. Lauterbornia 20: 51–54
Blinn D.W. and Johnson D.B. (1982). Filter-feeding of Hyalella montezuma, an unusual behaviour for a freshwater Amphipod. Freshwater Invert. Biol. 1: 48–52
Brusca R.C. and Brusca G.J. 1990. Invertebrates, First edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc
Bruijs M.C.M., Kelleher B., Van der Velde G., Bij de Vaate A. (2001). Oxygen consumption, temperature and salinity tolerance of the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus: indicators of further dispersal via ballast water transport. Arch. Hydrobiol. 152: 633–646
Cereghino R. (2002). Shift from a herbivorous to a carnivorous diet during the larval development of some Rhyacophila species (Trichoptera). Aquat. Insect. 24: 129–135
Cole G.A. and Watkins, R.L. (1977). Hyalella montezuma, a new species (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Montezuma Well, Arizona. Hydrobiologia 52: 175–184
Crouau Y.(1989). Feeding mechanisms of the Mysidacea. In: Felgenhauer B.E., Watling L. and Thistel A.B. (eds), Functional Morphology of Feeding and Grooming in Crustacea. AA Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 153–172
Cummins K.W. (1973). Trophic relations of aquatic insects. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 18: 183–206
Cummins K.W. (1974). Structure and function of stream ecosystems. Bioscience 24: 631–641
Cummins K.W. and Klug M.J. (1979). Feeding ecology of stream invertebrates. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Systemat. 10: 147–172
Dahl E. (1977). The amphipod functional model and its bearing upon systematics and phylogeny. Zool. Scripta. 6: 221–28
Devin S., Piscart C., Beisel J.N. and Moreteau J.C. (2003). Ecological traits of the amphipod invader Dikerogammarus villosus on a mesohabitat scale. Arch. Hydrobiol. 158(1): 43–56
Dick J.T.A. and Platvoet D. (2000). Invading predatory crustacean Dikerogammarus villosus eliminates both native and exotic species. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 267: 977–983
Dick J.T.A., Platvoet D. and Kelly D.W. (2002). Predatory impact of the freshwater invader Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea: Amphipoda). Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59: 1078–1084
Gladyshev M.I., Emelianova A.Y., Kalachova G.S., Zotina T.A., Gaevsky N.A. and Zhilenkov M.D. (2000). Gut content analysis of Gammarus lacustris from a Siberian lake using biochemical and biophysical methods. Hydrobiologia 431: 155–163
Gladyshev M.I., Sushchik N.N., Skoptsova G.N., Parfentsova L.S. and Kalacheva G.S. (1999). Use of biochemical markers provides evidence of selective feeding in zoobenthic omnivorous organisms of a fish-rearing pond. Dokl. Biol. Sci. 364: 67–69
Gowing M.M. and Wishner K.F. (1992). Feeding ecology of benthopelagic zooplankton on an eastern tropical Pacific seamount. Mar. Biol. 112: 451–467
Gruner H.- E. (1993). 4. Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie begründet von Alfred Kaestner, Band 1: Wirbellose Tiere Teil 4: Arthropoda (ohne Insecta). Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, 1209 pp
Hargrave B.T. (1970). The utilization of benthic microflora by Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda). J. Anim. Ecol. 39: 427–437
Holmquist J.G. (1982). The functional morphology of gnathopods: importance in grooming, and variation with regard to habitat, in talitroidean amphipods. J. Crust. Biol. 2: 159–179
Holmquist J.G. 1989. Grooming structure and function in some terrestrial Crustacea. In: Felgenhauer B.E., Watling L. and Thistle A.B. (eds), Functional Morphology of Feeding and Grooming in Crustacea, Crustacean Issues 6, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 95–114
Kelly D.W., Dick J.T.A. and Montgomery W.I. 2002a. The functional role of Gammarus (Crustacea, Amphipoda): shredders, predators, or both? Hydrobiologia 485: 199–203
Kelly D.W., Dick J.T.A. and Montgomery W.I. 2002b. Predation on mayfly nimph, Baetis rhodani, by native and introduced Gammarus: direct effects and the facilitation of Predation by salmonids. Freshwater Biol. 47: 1257–1268
Kelly D.W., Dick J.T.A., Montgomery W.I. and MacNeil C. 2003. Differences in composition of macroinvertebrate Communities with invasive and native Gammarus spp. (crustacea, Amphipoda). Freshwater Biol. 48: 306–315
Kley A. and Maier G. (2005). An example of niche partitioning between Dikerogammarus villosus and other invasive and native gammarids: a field study. J. Limnol. 64: 85–88
Krisp H. and Maier G. (2005). Consumption of macroinvertebrates by invasive and native gammarids: a comparison. J. Limnol. 64: 55–59
MacNeil C., Dick J.T.A. and Elwood R.W. (1997). The trophic ecology of freshwater Gammarus spp. (Crustacea: Amphipoda): Problems and perspectives concerning the functional feeding group concept. Biol. Rev. 72: 349–364
Müller J.C., Schramm S. and Seitz A. (2002). Genetic and morphological differentiation of Dikerogammarus invaders and their invasion history in Central Europe. Freshwater Biol. 47: 2039–2276
Schram F.R. 1986. Crustacea. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0-19-503742-1
Streble H. and Krauter D. 2002. Das Leben in Wassertropfen. Mikroflora und Mikrofauna des Suesswassers. Ein Bestimmungsbuch. Kosmos Naturfuehrer 9th ed., Franckh-Kosmos Verlags, Stuttgart
Sushchik N.N., Gladyshev M.I., Moskvichova A.V., Makhutova O.N. and Kalachova G.S. (2003). Comparison of fatty acid composition in major lipid classes of the cominant benthic invertebrates of the Yenisei river. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. 134: 111–122
Wijnhoven S., Van Riel M.C. and Van der Velde G. (2003a). Exotic and indigenous freshwater gammarid species: physiological tolerance to water temperature in relation to ionic content of the water. Aquat. Ecol. 37: 151–158
Wijnhoven S., Van Riel, M.C. and Van der Velde G. (2003b). Reply to comments on Wijnhoven et al. (2003). Aquat. Ecol. 37: 449–450
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Prof. (Em.) Frederick Schram (IBED) for his critical comments on the manuscript. We also thank Prof. Dr. Jef Huisman and Mrs. Corrien Sigon from the Aquatic Microbiology Department of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) of the University of Amsterdam for providing us with the algae used in this study, and Mr. Jan van Arkel (IBED) for his photographic contribution. Also, the editor of the journal and two unknown referees are thanked for their critical remarks.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10452-006-9034-6
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Platvoet, D., Dick, J., Konijnendijk, N. et al. Feeding on micro-algae in the invasive Ponto-Caspian amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894). Aquat Ecol 40, 237–245 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-005-9028-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-005-9028-9