Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predator-dependent diel migration by Halocaridina rubra shrimp (Malacostraca: Atyidae) in Hawaiian anchialine pools

  • Published:
Aquatic Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Diel migration is a common predator avoidance mechanism commonly found in temperate water bodies and increasingly in tropical systems. Previous research with only single day and night samples suggested that the endemic shrimp, Halocaridina rubra, may exhibit diel migration in Hawaiian anchialine pools to avoid predation by introduced mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, and perhaps reverse migration to avoid the predatory invasive Tahitian prawn, Macrobrachium lar. To examine this phenomenon in greater detail, we conducted a diel study of H. rubra relative abundance and size at 2-h intervals in three anchialine pools that varied in predation regime on the Kona-Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island. We found two distinct patterns of diel migration. In two pools dominated by visually feeding G. affinis, the abundance of H. rubra present on the pool bottom or swimming in the water column was very low during the day, increased markedly at sunset and remained high until dawn. In contrast, in a pool dominated by the nocturnal predator M. lar, H. rubra density was significantly lower during the night than during the day (i.e., a pattern opposite to that of shrimp in pools containing fish). In addition, we observed that the mean body size of the shrimp populations varied among pools depending upon predator type and abundance, but did not vary between day and night in any pools. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that H. rubra diel migratory behavior and size distributions are influenced by predation regime and suggest that diel migration may be a flexible strategy for predator avoidance in tropical pools where it may be a significant adaptive response of endemic species to introduced predators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilera X, Crespo G, Declerck S, De Meester L (2006) Diel vertical migration of zooplankton in tropical, high mountain lakes (Andes, Bolivia). Pol J Ecol 54:453–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey-Brock JH, Brock RE (1993) Feeding, reproduction, and sense organs of the Hawaiian anchialine shrimp Halocaridina rubra (Atyidae). Pac Sci 47:338–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Bezerra-Neto JF, Pinto-Coelho RM (2007) Diel vertical migration of the copepod Thermocyclops inversus (Kiefer, 1936) in a tropical reservoir: the role of oxygen and the spatial overlap with Chaoborus. Aquat Ecol 41:535–545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boscarino BT, Rudstam LG, Loew ER, Mills EL (2009) Predicting the vertical distribution of the opossum shrimp, Mysis relicta, in Lake Ontario: a test of laboratory-based light preferences. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 66:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock VE (1960) The introduction of aquatic animals into Hawaiian waters. Internat Rev Ges Hydrobiol 45:463–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock RE (1987) Status of the anchialine pond system of the Kona-Hawaii Coast. B Mar Sci 41:633–634

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock RE, Kam AKH (1997) Biological and water quality characterization of anchialine resources in Kaloko-Honokohua. National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i Tech Rep 112

  • Burks RL, Lodge DM, Jeppesen E, Lauridsen TL (2002) Diel horizontal migration of zooplankton: costs and benefits of inhabiting the littoral. Freshw Biol 47:343–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capps KA, Turner CB, Booth MT, Lombardozzi DL, McArt SH, Chai D, Hairston NG (2009) Behavioral responses of the endemic shrimp Halocaridina rubra (Malacostraca: Atyidae) to an introduced fish, Gambusia affinis (Actinopterygii: Poeciliidae) and implications for the trophic structure of Hawaiian anchialine ponds. Pac Sci 63:27–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chai DK, Cuddihy LW, Stone CP (1989) An inventory and assessment of anchialine pools in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from Waha’uia to Ka’aha, Puna and Ka’u, Hawai‘i. National Park Resources Study Unit, University of Hawai‘i Tech Rep 69

  • Dawidowicz P, Pijanowska J, Ciechomski K (1990) Vertical migration of Chaoborus larvae is induced by the presence of fish. Limnol Oceanogr 35:1631–1637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decaestecker E, DeMeester L, Ebert D (2002) In deep trouble: habitat selection constrained by multiple enemies in zooplankton. P Natl Acad Sci USA 99:5481–5485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudreau N, Boisclair D (2000) Influence of moon phase on acoustic estimates of the abundance of fish performing daily horizontal migration in a small oligotrophic lake. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 57:581–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliwicz ZM (1986) A lunar cycle in zooplankton. Ecology 67:883–897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez MJ (1998) Spatial segregation between rotifers and cladocerans mediated by Chaoborus. Hydrobiologia 388:427–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hairston NG (1980) The vertical distribution of diaptomid copepods in relation to body pigmentation. In: Kerfoot WC (ed) Evolution and ecology of zooplankton communities. University Press of New England, Hanover

    Google Scholar 

  • Hairston NG, Hairston NG (1993) Cause-effect relationships in energy-flow, trophic structure, and interspecific interactions. Am Nat 142:379–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hambright KD, Drenner RW, McComas SR, Hairston NG (1991) Gape-limited piscivores, planktivore size refuges, and the trophic cascade hypothesis. Archiv Hydrobiol 121:389–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Haupt F, Stockenreiter M, Baumgartner M, Boersma M, Stibor H (2009) Daphnia diel vertical migration: implications beyond zooplankton. J Plankton Res 31:515–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holthius LB (1963) On red coloured shrimps (Decapoda, Caridea) from tropical land-locked saltwater pools. Zool Meded 38:261–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthius LB (1973) Caridean shrimps found in land-locked saltwater pools at four Indo-West Pacific localities (Sinai Peninsula, Funafuti Atoll, Maui and Hawaii islands), with the description of one new genus and four new species. Zool Verh 128:1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine K (1997) Food selectivity and diel vertical distribution of Chaoborus edulis (Diptera, Chaoboridae) in Lake Malawi. Freshwater Biol 37:605–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanayama RK (1967) Hawaii’s aquatic animal introductions. Proc Annu Conf W Assoc St Game Fish Comm 47:123–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampert W (1989) The adaptive significance of diel vertical migration of zooplankton. Funct Ecol 3:21–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lass S, Spaak P (2003) Chemically induced anti-predator defences in plankton: a review. Hydrobiologia 491:221–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leech DM, Williamson CE (2001) In situ exposure to UV radiation alters the depth distribution of Daphnia. Limnol Oceanogr 46:416–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leech DM, Padeletti A, Williamson CE (2005) Zooplankton behavioral responses to solar UV radiation vary within and among lakes. J Plankton Res 27:461–471

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loose CJ, Dawidowicz P (1994) Trade-offs in diel vertical migration by zooplankton- the costs of predator avoidance. Ecology 75:2255–2263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maciolek JA, Brock RE (1974) Aquatic survey of Kona coast ponds, Hawai‘i Island. Sea Grant Advis Rep AR-74-04 US Dept Commerce and Hawai‘i Coop Fish Unit, Honolulu, HI

  • Ohman MD, Frost BW, Cohen EB (1983) Reverse diel vertical migration- an escape from invertebrate predators. Science 220:1404–1407

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos-Jiliberto R, Zuniga LR (2001) Depth-selection patterns and diel vertical migration of Daphnia ambigua (Crustacea: Cladocera) in lake El Plateado. Rev Chil Hist Nat 74:573–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhode SC, Pawlowski M, Tollrian R (2001) The impact of ultraviolet radiation on the vertical distribution of zooplankton of the genus Daphnia. Nature 412:69–72

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stearns SC (1983) A natural experiment in life-history evolution–field data on the introduction of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to Hawaii. Evolution 37:601–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tjossem SF (1990) Effects of fish chemical cues on vertical migration behavior of Chaoborus. Limnol Oceanogr 35:1456–1468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voss S, Mumm H (1999) Where to stay by night and day: size-specific and seasonal differences in horizontal and vertical distribution of Chaoborus flavicans larvae. Freshwater Biol 42:201–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winder M, Boersma M, Spaak P (2003) On the cost of vertical migration: are feeding conditions really worse at greater depths? Freshwater Biol 48:383–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaret TM, Suffern JS (1976) Vertical migration in zooplankton as a predator avoidance mechanism. Limnol Oceanogr 21:804–813

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank M. Hamabata and the Kohala Center, Waimea, Hawai‘i, for enthusiastic and generous support. The Cornell University Biogeochemistry and Biocomplexity Initiative and NSF IGERT (DGE 0221658), the Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, and the Center in Tropical Ecology and Evolution in Marine and Terrestrial Environments (NSF CREST 0833211) provided funding. The staff of the Hualalai Resort were extremely accommodating during sampling visits. C. M. Kearns assisted with sample analysis, and members of the Cornell Graduate Field Course in Tropical Ecology helped in the field and provided suggestions on our project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Cayelan C. Carey, Sarah M. Collins, Angela M. Early & Nelson G. Hairston Jr.

  2. Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, University of Hawai‘i–Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hale Aloha 209, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA

    Moana P. Ching

  3. Cornell Biological Field Station, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, 900 Shackelton Point, Bridgeport, NY, 13030, USA

    William W. Fetzer

  4. Hualalai Resort, 72-100 Ka’upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI, 96740, USA

    David Chai

Authors
  1. Cayelan C. Carey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Moana P. Ching
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sarah M. Collins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Angela M. Early
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. William W. Fetzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. David Chai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Nelson G. Hairston Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cayelan C. Carey.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Piet Spaak.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carey, C.C., Ching, M.P., Collins, S.M. et al. Predator-dependent diel migration by Halocaridina rubra shrimp (Malacostraca: Atyidae) in Hawaiian anchialine pools. Aquat Ecol 45, 35–41 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-010-9321-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-010-9321-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation