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Predation and Competition Within an Assemblage of Larval News (Triturus)

Griffiths, Richard A., Dewijer, P., May, R.T. (1994) Predation and Competition Within an Assemblage of Larval News (Triturus). Ecography, 17 (2). pp. 176-181. ISSN 0906-7590. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01218.x;) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:20235)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01218.x...

Abstract

The impact of crested newts (Triturus cristatus) on the smaller-bodied palmate and smooth newts (T. helveticus and T. vulgaris) was studied during the larval stages using a combination of field and laboratory experiments. In pond enclosures T. cristatus larvae had no effect on the two smaller species over the first four weeks of development. By eight weeks, however, T. cristatus had achieved a size advantage which enabled it to eliminate T. helveticus and severely reduce T. vulgaris by predation. In laboratory trials under food-limited conditions, T. helveticus and T. vulgaris were slightly smaller when raised with T. cristatus, suggesting that this predatory effect was complemented by interspecific competition during early development. Predation of the smaller species started when T. cristatus reached a threshold size of c. 27 mm. No reciprocal effects on T cristatus growth or survival were observed. Although T. cristatus may be a significant predator of congeneric species in natural ponds, other factors, such as differences in microhabitat selection, higher-order predator-prey interactions, and the occasional desiccation of pond habitats may facilitate coexistence between the species.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01218.x;
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: P. Ogbuji
Date Deposited: 26 Jun 2009 08:27 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/20235 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Griffiths, Richard A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5533-1013
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