Clay larvae do not accurately measure biogeographic patterns in predation

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560167
• Publication Date: 2023-10-02T23:15:15Z
• Authors: Antonio Rodriguez...; Olivia Rahn; Mariana Chiuffo; Anna Hargreaves
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

Abstract Aim Spatial variation in predation can shape geographic patterns ecology and evolution, but testing how varies across ecosystems is challenging as differing species compositions defensive adaptations mask underlying patterns. Recently, biogeography has borrowed a tool from –clay prey models. But clay models have not been adequately tested for comparisons, well-known problem –that only appeal to subset of potential predators– could lead inaccurate detection whenever the relative importance predator guilds among sites. Here, we test whether larvae accurately capture differences on real larvae. Location 90° latitude >2000 m elevation Americas Taxon vertebrate invertebrate ‘superworms’ ( Zophobas larve) Methods Across six sites that vary dramatically latitude, elevation, biome, quantified live, dead, We physically excluded predators some distinguish total invertebrate-only predation. Results Predation live superworms almost doubled our high-elevation high-latitude site out low-elevation tropical site. Geographic were highly consistent dead larvae, missed extremely high at therefore mismeasured true Clay did particularly bad job capturing by invertebrates. Main conclusions are inappropriate large-scale tests predation, should be abandoned biogeographic studies. Biogeographic experiments instead employ realistic baits, reserved comparisons within, rather than across, communities.