Quantifying individual feeding variability: implications for mollusc feeding experiments

Journal article


Hanley, M. E., Bulling, Mark T. and Fenner, M. 2013. Quantifying individual feeding variability: implications for mollusc feeding experiments.
AuthorsHanley, M. E., Bulling, Mark T. and Fenner, M.
Abstract

1. In order to quantify the level of variability in seedling consumption displayed by individual molluscs, we placed one snail ( Helix aspersa ) in each of 51 trays containing (7-day-old) Taraxacum officinale seedlings for 7 days. 2. Initially, individual snails displayed considerable variability in their consumption of seedlings; however, this variability declined with time. The consumption of seedlings was not related to individual snail mass. 3. A second grazing experiment, using five different snail densities in similar experi- mental conditions to the first, showed that increasing snail number reduced variability within treatment groups. 4. A computer simulation, based on data from the first experiment correctly predicted the basic form of the decline in feeding variability with increasing snail density found in the second. Post hoc changes to the model, based on empirical analysis of the second experiment to account for mutual interference, reduced discrepancies between empirical and model results. 5. This study highlights the consequences that individual feeding behaviour has on feeding trials with molluscs, and provides a simple method by which this variability can be quantified and accommodated within experimental design.

1.

In order to quantify the level of variability in seedling consumption displayed by
individual molluscs, we placed one snail (

Helix aspersa

) in each of 51 trays containing
(7-day-old)

Taraxacum officinale

seedlings for 7 days.

2.

Initially, individual snails displayed considerable variability in their consumption of
seedlings; however, this variability declined with time. The consumption of seedlings
was not related to individual snail mass.

3.

A second grazing experiment, using five different snail densities in similar experi-
mental conditions to the first, showed that increasing snail number reduced variability
within treatment groups.

4.

A computer simulation, based on data from the first experiment correctly predicted
the basic form of the decline in feeding variability with increasing snail density found
in the second.

Post hoc

changes to the model, based on empirical analysis of the second
experiment to account for mutual interference, reduced discrepancies between empirical
and model results.

5.

This study highlights the consequences that individual feeding behaviour has on
feeding trials with molluscs, and provides a simple method by which this variability can
be quantified and accommodated within experimental design.

Year2013
Web address (URL)http://hdl.handle.net/10545/292720
hdl:10545/292720
Publication dates24 May 2013
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Deposited24 May 2013, 08:42
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