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Does microplastic ingestion by zooplankton affect predator-prey interactions? An experimental study on larviphagy
Van Colen, C.; Vanhove, B.; Diem, A.; Moens, T. (2020). Does microplastic ingestion by zooplankton affect predator-prey interactions? An experimental study on larviphagy. Environ. Pollut. 256: 113479. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113479
In: Environmental Pollution. Elsevier: Barking. ISSN 0269-7491; e-ISSN 1873-6424
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 341170 [ download pdf ]
Author keywords
    Microplastics; Embryogenesis; Trophic transfer; Predator-prey interactions; Larviphagy
Authors  Top 
  • Van Colen, C.
  • Vanhove, B.
  • Diem, A.
  • Moens, T.
Abstract
    Litter is omnipresent in the ocean where it can be ingested by marine biota. Although ingestion of microplastics (MPs) is abundantly reported, insights into how MP can influence predator-prey interactions currently limits our understanding of the ecological impact of MPs. Here we demonstrate trophic transfer of MPs from zooplankton to benthic filter feeders, through consumption of contaminated prey (i.e. prey with ingested MP). However, predation rates of contaminated prey were significantly lower as compared to predation rates of prey that had no MPs ingested. As filter feeder clearance rates were not affected by consumption of MPs, the lower predation rates of contaminated prey appear to be primarily explained by disruption in zooplankton swimming behaviour that reduces their filtration risk. This is the first study that shows how MPs can change predator-prey interactions that are involved in the coupling between the pelagic and seabed habitat.
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