Abstract
Foraging decisions shape the structure of food webs. Therefore, a behavioural shift in a single species can potentially modify resource-flow dynamics of entire ecosystems. To examine this, we conducted a field experiment to assess foraging niche dynamics of semi-arboreal brown anole lizards in the presence/absence of predatory ground-dwelling curly-tailed lizards in a replicated set of island ecosystems. One year after experimental translocation, brown anoles exposed to these predators had drastically increased perch height and reduced consumption of marine-derived food resources. This foraging niche shift altered marine-to-terrestrial resource-flow dynamics and persisted in the diets of the first-generation offspring. Furthermore, female lizards that displayed more risk-taking behaviours consumed more marine prey on islands with predators present. Our results show how predator-driven rapid behavioural shifts can alter food-web connectivity between oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems and underscore the importance of studying behaviour-mediated niche shifts to understand ecosystem functioning in rapidly changing environments.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e14335 |
Journal | Ecology Letters |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2024 |
Keywords
- Anolis lizards
- cascading effects
- d13C stable isotopes
- ecological interactions
- experimental ecology
- food webs
- niche shifts
- predator–prey interactions
- risk-taking behaviour
- trophic interactions