Species Diversity Enhances Predator Growth Rates

Olson, Mark H.; Jacobs, Robert P.; O'Donnell, Eileen B.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/94587

International Journal of Ecology

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Research Letter | Open Access

Volume 2007 | Article ID 094587 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/94587

Species Diversity Enhances Predator Growth Rates

Mark H. Olson,¹Robert P. Jacobs,²and Eileen B. O'Donnell²

Academic Editor: Oswald J. Schmitz

Received20 Sept 2007

Accepted10 Dec 2007

Published28 Jan 2008

Abstract

Predators can be important top-down regulators of community structure and are known to have both positive and negative effects on species diversity. However, little is known about the reciprocal effects of species diversity on predators. Across a set of 80 lakes in Connecticut, USA, we found a strong positive correlation between prey species diversity (using the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index) and growth rates of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). This correlation was strongest for small predators and decreased with body size. Although the underlying mechanisms are not known, the correlation is not driven by total fish abundance, predator abundance, or productivity.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2007 Mark H. Olson et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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