Prey preferences for three aquatic hemipterans provide insights about their coexistence
Data files
May 08, 2026 version files 26.17 KB
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Bug_measurements_4may26.xlsx
10.89 KB
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prey_pref_data_4may26.xlsx
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README.md
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Abstract
We explored the potential of differences in foraging preferences to contribute to long-term species coexistence in aquatic predatory hemipterans. We hypothesized that predatory hemipterans would have distinct foraging preferences informed by their morphology. We used a prey choice experiment to test whether Belostoma flumineum, Pelocoris biimpressus, and Ranatra australis differed in their relative preferences of amphipod, damselfly naiad, and physid snail prey. We discovered that the predators showed complementarity in their foraging preferences with B. flumineum preferring snails, P. biimpressus damselfly naiads and R. australis amphipods as prey. Our results suggest that the disparate foraging preferences of aquatic hemipterans may facilitate their coexistence in aquatic systems but caution that studies need to explore whether patterns uncovered in the laboratory experiment reflect interactions in nature.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tb2rbp09q
Includes raw data from prey preference experiments and morphological measurements. We discovered that aquatic hemipterans have different foraging preferences that can be explained by their distinct morphologies and could contribute to their coexistence.
Description of the data and file structure
Prey Preference Data
Raw Data
Column A: System names are unique names given to experimental units.
Column B: We did the experiment in groups called "runs".
Columns C&E: Date that the preference trials were performed.
Columns D&F: Times that the preference trials were performed.
Column G: Predators were given unique identifications based on species and number.
Column H: Species of predator used in the trial.
Columns I, J & K: Number of snails, amphipods and damselflies consumed out of 7.
Column L: Total number of prey consumed out of 21.
Column M: % of prey consumed.
Column N: Predation rate (number of prey consumed per day)
n/a = missing these data because we do not have recorded run times for run number 3. This is also why we could not calculate predation rates for these trials.
Bug Morphology Data
Column A: type of predator
Column B: individual number assigned to bug
Column C: Total length in cm
Column D: Total length in mm
Column E: Pronotum width in mm
Column F: Tibia width in mm
Column G: Tibia length in mm
Column H: Tarsus length in mm
Column I: Beak length in mm
"n/a" = trait was too damaged to measure
See manuscript for details. The data includes raw data from a prey choice experiment and morphological measurments.