Interactive effects of darter predation and elevated discharge on macroinvertebrates of a gulf coast stream

Abstract

Interactive effects of darter predation and elevated discharge on macrobenthic assemblages were examined in a 2nd-order Gulf Coastal Plain stream, USA. Benthic invertebrates were sampled using paired wood-block artificial substrates as split plots. Darters were continually removed from a treatment site during a period of moderately high lotic discharge; a reference site was simultaneously monitored. Benthic invertebrates were sampled before and after removal of darters. Principal component analysis generated ten factors describing macroinvertebrate variation. Analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed significant temporal and spatial differences in the benthic assemblages suggesting that the elevated discharge had a major impact on the benthic community and that darter predation may have also influenced these invertebrate assemblages. Among prey types most affected by darters were medium-sized (1–5 mm) chironomid larvae. © 1997, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.