Lead, Zinc, and Manganese, in Dredge-spoil Pond Ecosystems

Pb, Zn, and Mn, levels in sediment and common estuarine plants and animals colonizing dredge-spoil disposal areas were compared with levels occurring in the same materials from a natural salt-marsh. Finegrained dredge-spoil had considerabily higher levels of all three metals than did natural salt-marsh sediment, and large differences in the metals content of the spoil were observed, depending on sediment type.Pb levels in the Grass Shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), Common Reed (Phragmites communis), Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and Saltmeadow Hay (Spartina patens), from dredge-spoil areas, were significantly higher at the 0.01 confidence level than in these species from the natural salt-marsh. Zn concentrations were significantly higher at this confidence level in the three plant species growing in dredge-spoil compared with those from the natural marsh. Mn content in Grass Shrimp from ponds in dredge-spoil disposal areas was significantly higher (0.05 confidence level) than in those from the natural marsh. Thus, dredge-spoil containing heavy metals, even though disposed of in specially designed diked containment areas, may act as a source of certain heavy metals that are potentially toxic to the biota.Data on the transfer of Pb and Mn in simple foodchains of the dredge-spoil pond ecosystem are presented and discussed in relation to feeding behaviour. Decreasing concentrations with increasing tropic level were observed for Pb and Mn, but no consistent pattern was noted with Zn.

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Chemical extractions of heavy metals in sediments as related to metal uptake by grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ◽

10.1007/bf01055782 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 749-757 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Joseph H. Rule

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Metal Uptake ◽

Grass Shrimp ◽

Mercenaria Mercenaria ◽

Palaemonetes Pugio ◽

Chemical Extractions

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The effects of the parasite Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard, 1879) (Isopoda, Bopyridae) on the behavior, transparent camouflage, and predators of Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis, 1949 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003501 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 88 (12-14) ◽

pp. 1265-1281 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Brigette A. Brinton ◽

Mary Carla Curran

Keyword(s):

Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽

Grass Shrimp ◽

Activity Budget ◽

Palaemonetes Pugio ◽

Black Paint ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Presence And Absence ◽

Predator Preference

The bopyrid isopod Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard, 1879) is a large, noticeable, hematophagous ectoparasite of palaemonid shrimps, including the daggerblade grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis, 1949. Bopyrids affect grass shrimp physiology and may also affect predator-prey dynamics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the isopod affected the behavior and/or camouflage of grass shrimp, thereby altering the predation preferences of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus, 1766). To determine whether the isopod affected predator preference through behavioral and/or camouflage alterations, paired combinations of unparasitized, parasitized, and marked shrimp were presented to mummichogs. One branchiostegite of some of the unparasitized shrimp was marked with black paint to mimic the bopyrid parasite. Mummichog predation preference and shrimp behavior immediately prior to predation events were recorded. All shrimp behavior was classified as motionless, walking, swimming, or backward thrusting. Immediately prior to predation, parasitized shrimp swam more () and backward thrusted less () than unparasitized shrimp. Mummichogs exhibited a preference for the more active shrimp (80.7% of shrimp; ), and also for the less camouflaged (parasitized or marked) shrimp (81.5% of shrimp; ) if there was no difference in shrimp behavior. Parasitized shrimp were preferentially consumed (51/85 shrimp) when paired with unparasitized shrimp (), but not with marked shrimp (). A 30-min activity budget was created for each type of shrimp both in the presence and absence of predators; neither the parasite nor marking affected their behavior over 30 min (). The major finding of this study was that P. pandalicola affected the predation preferences of F. heteroclitus by altering the behavior and/or camouflage of the grass shrimp. Parasitization alters predator-prey dynamics by decreasing the camouflage and the frequency of backward-thrusting behavior by the host when it is threatened by predation, which thereby decreases the ability of shrimp to escape from predators.

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Size-dependent interactions in salt marsh fish (Fundulus heteroclitus Linnaeus) and shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis)

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology ◽

10.1016/s0022-0981(99)00095-7 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 242 (2) ◽

pp. 179-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Randall E. Cross ◽

Alan E. Stiven

Keyword(s):

Salt Marsh ◽

Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽

Palaemonetes Pugio ◽

Size Dependent

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The effect of macrophytic cover on survival of Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris (grass shrimp) in the presence of predatory Fundulus heteroclitus (killifish)

Contributions to Zoology ◽

10.1163/18759866-07002001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 61-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Henry C. Merchant ◽

Ritindra N. Khan ◽

Robert E. Knowlton

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Green Alga ◽

Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽

Prey Species ◽

Grass Shrimp ◽

Predation Pressure ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Alternative Prey ◽

Palaemonetes Pugio ◽

Shrimp Species

Effects of three different macrophytic covers and the presence of alternative prey on survival of grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris) subjected to predation by killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were studied in the laboratory. Overall, survival of P. vulgaris was significantly greater (82%) than that of P. pugio (70%). This difference in survival was attributed to the greater tendency of P. pugio to swim outside the covers, making it more vulnerable to predation. Both prey species responded similarly to the different cover conditions. Survival without cover (gravel substrate) was 48%. In cover provided by a plastic plant made to resemble Ambulia, 75% of the starting population survived. In cover furnished by field-collected specimens of the flat chlorophyte, Ulva, survival was 71%, compared to 98% survival in the branched green alga, Codium. Predation pressure on neither species was significantly enhanced or diminished by the presence of a second prey species. For both grass shrimp species, increased survival in Codium in the presence of the predator was attributed to the physically more complex nature of this macrophytic cover.

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