Strong impact of temperature on hatching success of aquatic invertebrates dispersed by two waterbirds

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Waterbirds are key agents of passive dispersal for aquatic invertebrates, particularly through internal transport of their propagules. In this study, we assessed the potential dispersal of invertebrates through endozoochory by two Anatidae species, the mallard and the common shelduck, in Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. We aimed at comparing the hatching success of invertebrate propagules egested by both ducks, under two temperatures, simulating cold (15 °C) and warm (25 °C) conditions. We performed a controlled hatching experiment using faecal samples (30 per species) collected from the roosting areas of both ducks. A total of 34 invertebrate taxa hatched, including rotifers, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, ciliates, and microturbellarians. Species richness and hatching rates were higher under warm conditions, and shelduck samples showed more diverse assemblages than mallards. Five of the detected taxa are considered invasive non-native to the region. Some of the rotifer and ostracod species found, as well as microturbellarians, represent first records of internal dispersal by waterbirds. Our findings suggest that temperature can influence hatching success and may shape the community composition of colonizing organisms through endozoochory. Moreover, Anatidae can be effective vectors for aquatic invertebrates, including non-native species, with potential implications for metacommunity dynamics and invasions in Mediterranean wetlands.

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