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Tidal Stage Mediates Periodic Asynchrony Between Predator and Prey Nekton in Salt Marsh Creeks

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Abstract

In marine ecosystems, predator-prey interactions are known to structure critical processes (e.g., trophic transfer, nutrient regeneration) and have important implications for mediating community dynamics. However, the temporal and spatial scales over which these processes operate remain poorly understood mainly because the resolution provided by traditional sampling techniques is low. In particular, tides and physical forcing pose challenges due to sampling dynamics in coastal ecosystems. Examining the fine-scale temporal and spatial dynamics of predators and prey in tidally driven estuarine ecosystems requires implementing techniques that are robust to these challenges. Here, we examine data from a high-resolution multibeam imaging sonar (DIDSON) at the confluence of an intertidal and subtidal creek over six ebb-flood cycles and quantify the temporal and spatial scales of variance between the density of predators and prey. Densities of both groups were strongly and inversely related to tidal stage, irrespective of time of day. The potential for an encounter between functional groups and utilization of the estuarine intertidal-subtidal complex was mediated by the tidal stage. When the intertidal creek was flooded, both predator and prey fishes occupied the channel more than the slopes adjacent to the marsh edge. In addition, our study demonstrated fine-scale asynchronous timing in the distribution of predators and prey, with prey densities generally peaking prior to those of predators. This suggests that the scale of variation of prey occupying the intertidal creek, which is often thought to provide refuge, drives coincidental utilization by predators and mediates their interactions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the BMFL for the logistical support throughout the fieldwork; D. Johnson and A.M. Zenone for the assistance with data handling and processing; and J.C. Taylor for insightful feedback on earlier versions of this manuscript.

Funding

This project was funded by the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory Visiting Scientist Award presented to K.M.B. This is contribution #126 from the Center for Coastal Oceans Research in the Institute of Water and Environment at Florida International University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St., MSB 355, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA

    Kevin M. Boswell, Guillaume Rieucau, Dale A. Jacques & Daniel Correa

  2. Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, University of South Carolina, P.O. Box 1630, Georgetown, SC, 29440, USA

    Matthew E. Kimball & Dennis M. Allen

  3. Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA, 70344, USA

    Guillaume Rieucau

  4. Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK

    Julien G. A. Martin

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  1. Kevin M. Boswell
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  2. Matthew E. Kimball
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Correspondence to Kevin M. Boswell.

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Communicated by Wim J. Kimmerer

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Boswell, K.M., Kimball, M.E., Rieucau, G. et al. Tidal Stage Mediates Periodic Asynchrony Between Predator and Prey Nekton in Salt Marsh Creeks. Estuaries and Coasts 42, 1342–1352 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-019-00553-x

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