Abstract Interactions between multiple predators can profoundly affect prey risk, with implications for prey population stability and ecosystem functioning. In austral temporary wetlands, arid-area adapted specialist copepods are key predators for much of the hydroperiod. Limited autoecological information relating to species interactions negates understandings of trophic dynamics in these systems. In the present study, we examined multiple predator effects of two key predatory paradiaptomid copepods which often coexist in austral temporary wetlands, Lovenula raynerae Suarez-Morales, Wasserman and Dalu 2015 and Paradiaptomus lamellatus Sars, 1985. Predation rates towards larval mosquito prey across different water depths were quantified. Using a comparative functional response approach, individual L. raynerae exhibited significantly higher feeding rates than P. lamellatus, characterised by higher attack rates, shorter handling times and higher maximum feeding rates. Increasing water depth tended to negatively affect prey consumption, particularly for L. raynerae. Interspecific multiple predator consumption combined additively, and thus prey risks were well-predicted from consumption rates by individual paradiaptomid copepod species, irrespective of water depth. Our results suggest that increasing copepod predator diversity in austral temporary wetland ecosystems additively heightens prey risk across different water volumes, and may help to regulate disease vector mosquito populations. Therefore, the numerical extent, phenology and diversity of predator hatching events during the hydroperiod may substantially mediate interaction strengths in these ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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两种特殊的桡足类副桡足类对幼虫蚊子的多重捕食作用

摘要 多个捕食者之间的相互作用可以深刻影响猎物风险，对猎物种群稳定性和生态系统功能产生影响。在南方临时湿地，适应干旱地区的专业桡足类动物是大部分水期的主要捕食者。与物种相互作用有关的有限自身生态信息否定了对这些系统中营养动态的理解。在本研究中，我们研究了经常在南方临时湿地共存的两种主要掠食性桡足类动物的多重捕食效应，Lovenula raynerae Suarez-Morales、Wasserman 和 Dalu 2015 和 Paradiaptomus lamellatus Sars，1985 年。不同水域捕食蚊子幼虫的捕食率深度进行了量化。使用比较功能反应方法，个体 L. raynerae 表现出明显高于 P. lamellatus 的摄食率，其特点是攻击率更高，处理时间更短，最大摄食率更高。水深的增加往往会对猎物的消耗产生负面影响，特别是对于 L. raynerae。种间多种捕食者的消耗相加地结合在一起，因此无论水深如何，都可以从单个桡足类桡足类动物的消耗率中很好地预测猎物风险。我们的研究结果表明，增加南方临时湿地生态系统中桡足类捕食者的多样性会增加不同水量的猎物风险，并可能有助于调节疾病媒介蚊子种群。因此，在数值范围内，