Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of the sandy beach gastropod Olivella minuta

Author(s)

Corte, Guilherme N. ; Yokoyama, Leonardo Q. ; Checon, Helio H. ; Turra, Alexander

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NVERTEBRATE BIOLOG; v. 138, n. 4, p. 9-pg., 2019-11-13.

Abstract

Marine gastropods exert a strong influence on the structure of marine ecosystems through their foraging activities, yet little is known about how environmental differences in space and time may affect their feeding behavior. To enhance the knowledge about the trophic ecology of coastal benthic species, we investigated temporal and spatial variations in the diet of the sandy beach gastropod Olivella minuta. We collected individuals of O. minuta seasonally, over 1 year, at two sandy beaches with different morphodynamic characteristics (Araca Bay, an ultra-dissipative tidal flat, and Barequecaba Beach, a dissipative beach) and analyzed the stomach contents of specimens of O. minuta. We identified approximately 15,000 food items, which we grouped into 14 categories. Thirteen food categories were found at each area, but significant differences in diet were observed between sites and sampling periods. Individuals from Araca consumed an overall larger quantity and diversity of food items, which consisted mainly of foraminiferans, polychaetes, and crustaceans. At Barequecaba, diatoms were the most important item, followed by crustaceans and polychaetes. Temporal variation depended on sites: the number of food items in the stomachs of individuals of O. minuta and dietary composition was roughly constant over time at Araca, whereas larger variations were observed at Barequecaba. Although O. minuta has been previously characterized as a carnivore/scavenger, our results show that the diet of this species varies in space and time and comprises a large variety of food resources. The species thus plays a role in the cycling of both vegetal and animal organic matter. This generalist behavior may allow individuals to shift their diet according to habitat alterations and food availability, thereby enhancing the persistence and resilience of O. minuta in different environments or future climate change scenarios. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/17071-9 - Preserving sandy beaches: biodiversity, goods and services, and impacts on a neglected ecosystem
• Grantee: Guilherme Nascimento Corte
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/03804-9 - Environmental governance of macrometropolis paulista in face of climate variability
• Grantee: Pedro Roberto Jacobi
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/17585-6 - Population ecology of Olivella minuta (Link, 1807) (Gastropoda, Olividae) in the intertidal of Araçá and Barequeçaba beaches, northern coast of São Paulo State
• Grantee: Alexander Turra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/15893-5 - Interpopulation variability in sandy beaches: case study about the zonation, reproduction, and growth of Olivella minuta (Gastropoda, Olividae)
• Grantee: Leonardo Querobim Yokoyama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral