R code and data for the publication "Mismatches in thermal performance between ectothermic predators and prey alter interaction strength and top-down control" Article Swipe
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· 2023
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.19323719
· OA: W4394176273
<strong>Abstract</strong> Climate change can alter predator-prey interactions when predators and prey have different thermal preferences as temperature change can exacerbate thermal mismatches (also called thermal asymmetry) with population-level consequences. We tested this using microarthropod predators (<em>Stratiolaelaps scimitus</em>) and prey (<em>Folsomia candida</em>) that differ in their temperature optima to examine predator-prey interactions across two temperature ranges, a cool (12 and 20 °C) and warm (20 and 26 °C) range. We predict that the lower thermal preference and optimum in <em>F</em>. <em>candida</em> will alter top-down control (i.e., interaction strength) by predators with interaction strength being strongest at intermediate temperatures, coinciding with <em>F</em>. <em>candida</em> thermal optimum. Predators and prey were placed in mesocosms, whereafter we measured population (predator and prey abundance), trait-based (average predator and prey body mass, and prey body length distribution), and predator-prey indices (predator-prey mass ratio (PPMR), Dynamic Index, and Log Response Ratio) to determine how temperature affected their interactions. Prey populations were highest at intermediate temperatures (average temperature exposure: 16 – 23 °C) but declined at warmer temperatures (average temperature exposure: 24.5 – 26 °C). Predators consistently lowered prey abundances and average prey mass increased when predators were added. Top-down control was greatest at intermediate temperatures (indicated by Log Response Ratio) when temperatures were near or below the thermal optimum for both species. Temperature-related prey declines negated top-down control under the warmest conditions suggesting that mismatches in thermal performance between predators and their prey will alter the strength and dominance of top-down or bottom-up forces of predator-prey interactions in a warmer world.
