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Stable isotope analysis challenges wasp-waist food web assumptions in an upwelling pelagic ecosystem.


ABSTRACT: Eastern boundary currents are often described as 'wasp-waist' ecosystems in which one or few mid-level forage species support a high diversity of larger predators that are highly susceptible to fluctuations in prey biomass. The assumption of wasp-waist control has not been empirically tested in all such ecosystems. This study used stable isotope analysis to test the hypothesis of wasp-waist control in the southern California Current large marine ecosystem (CCLME). We analyzed prey and predator tissue for ?¹³C and ?¹?N and used Bayesian mixing models to provide estimates of CCLME trophic dynamics from 2007-2010. Our results show high omnivory, planktivory by some predators, and a higher degree of trophic connectivity than that suggested by the wasp-waist model. Based on this study period, wasp-waist models oversimplify trophic dynamics within the CCLME and potentially other upwelling, pelagic ecosystems. Higher trophic connectivity in the CCLME likely increases ecosystem stability and resilience to perturbations.

SUBMITTER: Madigan DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3440624 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Stable isotope analysis challenges wasp-waist food web assumptions in an upwelling pelagic ecosystem.

Madigan Daniel J DJ   Carlisle Aaron B AB   Dewar Heidi H   Snodgrass Owyn E OE   Litvin Steven Y SY   Micheli Fiorenza F   Block Barbara A BA  

Scientific reports 20120913


Eastern boundary currents are often described as 'wasp-waist' ecosystems in which one or few mid-level forage species support a high diversity of larger predators that are highly susceptible to fluctuations in prey biomass. The assumption of wasp-waist control has not been empirically tested in all such ecosystems. This study used stable isotope analysis to test the hypothesis of wasp-waist control in the southern California Current large marine ecosystem (CCLME). We analyzed prey and predator t  ...[more]

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