HR: 16:15h
AN: NB44D-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Interactions of Amphibians, Fish, and Macroinvertebrates in a Southeastern Wetland
AU: * Schultheis, R D
EM: rschultheis@bugs.ent.uga.edu
AF: Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Batzer, D P
EM: dbatzer@bugs.ent.uga.edu
AF: Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 United States
AB: In fishless habitats, amphibians often compete with and are predators of macroinvertebrates. Unlike fish, the effects these interactions have on macroinvertebrate communities have been largely unexplored. We conducted an experiment in a semi-permanent oxbow wetland in the Piedmont region of Georgia to explore interactions between amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The predator community was dominated by Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander) and Notophthalmus viridescens (Eastern Newt). Salamanders and newts were excluded from areas of wetland habitat using wire mesh cages (1.5M x 1.5M, 3mm mesh). The macroinvertebrate communities within the cages were then compared to the ambient habitat outside the cages. Fish, mostly Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) and Gambusia affinis (Mosquito Fish), colonized the wetland late in the first year of the study, and became common by year two. Also in year two, Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog) became established. Thus, we were able to explore the variable effects on the macroinvertebrate community of a changing predator complex over a two year period.
DE: 9810 New fields (not classifiable under other headings)
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly