The effect of cover on in situ predation in early benthic phase European lobster Homarus gammarus

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom Vol. 81; no. 4; pp. 639 - 642
• Main Authors: Ball, Brendan, Linnane, Adrian, Munday, Brian, Browne, Ronan, Mercer, John P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2001
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinus; Carcinus maenas; Ciliata mustela; Crustaceans; Decapoda; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gravel; Homarus gammarus; Marine; Pomatoschistus minutus; Predation; Predators; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Research Article; Shellfish; Europe; Ireland; Northeast Atlantic; United Kingdom > UK; ANE, Eire, Galway Bay; Predator prey relation; Benthic organism; Habitat selection; Spatial variation; Survival; Young animal; Coastal zone; Macrura; Crustacea; Marine environment; Substrate; Arthropoda; Shelter; Homarus gammarus; Decapoda; Antipredator behavior; Predation; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0025-3154; 1469-7769
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315401004301

This study examined the role of predation in restricting early benthic phase (EBP) lobsters to shelter-providing substrata. In the field, the survival of animals provided with cover in the form of cobble and gravel substrata was significantly higher than unsheltered controls. Small benthic fish, particularly gobies Pomatoschistus minutus and rockling Ciliata mustela were the primary predators subtidally while crabs Carcinus maenus appeared to be the dominant intertidal predator. Predatory attack primarily occurred within minutes of the lobsters being deployed. The study reinforces the role played by predation in restricting EBP European lobsters to shelter-providing substrata.