Sea lamprey nests promote the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274719
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15T18:34:35Z
• Authors: Marius Dhamelincourt; Jacques Rives; Marie Pons; Aitor Larrañaga; Cédric Tentelier; Arturo Elosegi
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 570; Food Chain; 550; Science; lamprey; habitat; 01 natural sciences; Rivers; benthic macroinvertebrate; Humans; Animals; Petromyzon; 14. Life underwater; Ecosystem; nest; Q; R; 15. Life on land; Invertebrates; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Medicine; [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology; Research Article; Environmental Monitoring

The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis states that increased promotes species diversity through availability of ecological niches. We aimed at describing the local-scale (i.e. nest and adjacent substrate) effects nests sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus L.) as ecosystem engineer on macroinvertebrate assemblages. hypothesized streambed physical caused by spawning would modify invertebrate assemblages specific biologic traits promote reach-scale diversity. sampled thirty Nive River, a river south western France with length 79.3 km tributary Adour in three zones: unmodified riverbed (upstream) zones corresponding to nest: area excavated (pit) downstream accumulation pebbles cobbles (mound). created was accompanied biological reduced density invertebrates (3777 ± 1332 individuals per m2 upstream, 2649 1386 pit 3833 1052 mound) number taxa (23.5 3.9 for 18.6 21.2 4.5 compared other zones. However overall 82 14 69 8 estimated upstream zone. Diversity indices were consistent previous results indicating loss α but higher β between mound than two zones, especially considering Morisita index accounting abundance. Trait analysis showed high functional within proportion collectors, scrapers, shredders, litter/mud preference small mound, while "slabs, blocks, stones pebbles" largest increased. Pit presented opposite trend, had globally intermediate trait proportions. Our highlight important due nest-building species, what can ultimately influence food webs nutrient processes ecosystems.