Hobart

Seminar Abstract

Friday 11 April 2008, 11.30am (Tas time)
CSIRO Auditorium, Hobart

L David Smith
Associate Professor in Biological Sciences
and Director of Environmental Science and Policy
Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA

An arms race at a snail’s pace: the importance of phenotypic plasticity in a marine biological invasion

Following a biological invasion, both introduced and resident species must adjust to changes in their environment, and phenotypic plasticity (environmentally induced change in a character) provides a means for within-generation response. The role of phenotypic plasticity in marine invasions has received little study, but its influence may be great for several reasons. First, plastic phenotypes are ubiquitous in marine organisms. Second, phenotypic plasticity can impact ecological interactions between introduced and native species. Third, phenotypic responses have the potential to generate temporal and spatial patterns in ecologically important traits rapidly after an introduction. The spread of the European green crab Carcinus maenas to the northwest Atlantic Ocean provides an excellent opportunity to study post-invasion effects of phenotypic plasticity. Experiments show that claw size in C. maenas responds to natural variation in breakage resistance of the native snail, Littorina obtusata. In turn, L. obtusata builds thicker shells in the presence of the introduced crab. Latitudinal differences in water temperature in the region influence the rate and the magnitude of induced responses in both species. Taken together, our data suggest that phenotypic plasticity may explain historical shifts and biogeographic patterns in predator trophic morphology and prey defenses in this invaded system.

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Location:
CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
To schedule a seminar, contact:
Bernadette Sloyan, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5152
Thomas Kunz, (Biological seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
(03) 6232 5076
Natalie Dowling, (Fisheries Modelling) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
(03) 6232 5148
Jillian Enraght-Moony, (seminar administrator) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5320
Jess Tyler, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 2265
Margaret Hazelwood, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2971

Last updated 4/04/08