Mechanisms of invasion resistance: competition among intertidal mussels invasive species and displacement of native species
Shinen, J.S.; Morgan, S.G. (2009). Mechanisms of invasion resistance: competition among intertidal mussels invasive species and displacement of native species. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 383: 187-197. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps07982
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
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| Keywords |
Alien species
Displacement
Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment > Intertidal environment
Exploitation
Native peoples > Indigenous peoples
Rocky environments
Mytilus californianus Conrad, 1837 [WoRMS]; Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 [WoRMS]; Mytilus trossulus A. Gould, 1850 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Exploitation competition; Interference competition; Mytilus; Rockyintertidal communities |
| Authors | | Top |
- Shinen, J.S.
- Morgan, S.G.
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| Abstract |
Understanding interactions between invasive species and recipient communities is essential to determining whether invasive species will become established and spread. In this study, we explored the role of competition and the specific mechanisms of interaction in limiting the spread of the Mediterranean bay mussMytilus galloprovincialis within a Pacific Northwest invasion front. We examined the role of direct (interference) and indirect (exploitation) mechanisms of competition amongM. galloprovincialis and 2 native mussels (M. trossulus and M. californianus). As the fastest growing organisms are often competitively dominant in space-limited systems, such as rocky intertidal communities, we used changes in relative performance (growth and survival) in monocultures and polycultures to assess interactions among mussels. Performance of M. galloprovincialis was always greater than that of the 2 native species of mussels in both field and laboratory manipulations of species composition and density, indicating that interspecific competition did not strongly limit the growth or survival of the invader. Moreover, the presence of M. galloprovincialis consistently led to both reduced growth and survival of M. trossulus. Laboratory studies of mussel feeding and behavior revealed M. galloprovincialis to be a robust interference competitor. The invader restricted movement, smothered and interfered with filter feeding of the 2 native species of mussels. Rather than limiting invasion, interference competition gave M. galloprovincialis a competitive advantage over the native mussels. Our results suggest M. galloprovincialis may have contributed to the displacement ofM. trossulus along much of its historic southern range. |
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