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Galled leaves as an improved resource for benthic detritivores

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Abstract

Galled leaves are very frequent in southern beech (Nothofagus pumilio) forests. We compared the consumption of leaves (galled and ungalled) by two detritivores and the effect of this consumption on detritivore nutrient content. The amphipod Hyalella curvispina and larvae of the caddisfly Monocosmoecus hyadesi were fed with two diet treatments for 30 days: (1) ungalled leaves and (2) galled leaves. Fungal biomass, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) content were measured in leaves and detritivores, and C:N:P molar ratios were calculated. We hypothesized that galls produce changes in litter nutrient content, affecting invertebrate consumption and nutrient content. Galled leaves had higher N and ergosterol content, and lower C:N ratios than ungalled leaves. Galled leaf consumption was higher than the ungalled for both detritivores. The two species differed in the content of N and C (caddisfly > amphipod) and P (caddisfly < amphipod). The N:P ratio of the amphipods was similar to the ungalled leaf ratio and increased when fed on galled leaves. In contrast, the N:P ratio of the caddisflies was considerably higher than the ungalled leaves and decreased when fed on galled leaves. Galls alter nutrient content in leaves and increase fungal biomass. Both detritivore species were highly homeostatic with regard to C:N ratio, but caddisflies could overcome the limited P content by increasing consumption. We highlight the impact of galls on aquatic detritivores, which in turn are relevant in forested streams for recycling organic matter and cascading effects through brown detritus-based aquatic food webs.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mariana Langeheim for laboratory assistance for ergosterol measurements in the HPLC. We appreciate valuable suggestions of two anonymous reviewers and the handling editor for substantial contributions that helped us improve the manuscript. The study was funded by FONCyT (Grant no. PICT 2018-4385) and CONICET (P-UE 2016).

Funding

(Information that explains whether and by whom the research was supported): The research was carried out with funds from FONCyT (PICT 2018-4385 to V.D.V.) and CADIC-PUE 2016 (to C.C.B. and M.T.). L.W. was supported by a CONICET postdoctoral fellowship. M.T., V.D.V., and C.C.B. are CONICET researchers.

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  1. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Houssay 200, 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Marina Tagliaferro, Laura Wolinski & Claudia Clementina Boy

  2. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA), Quintral 1250, R8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

    Verónica Díaz Villanueva

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  1. Marina Tagliaferro
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  2. Verónica Díaz Villanueva
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  3. Laura Wolinski
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  4. Claudia Clementina Boy
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(Optional: please review the submission guidelines from the journal whether statements are mandatory): MT, CCB, and VDV conceived and designed the experiments. MT and LW performed the sampling and experiments. MT and VDV did individual and chemical analysis, and analyzed the data. MT and VDV wrote the manuscript; all authors provided editorial advice, revised, and corrected the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Marina Tagliaferro.

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Tagliaferro, M., Díaz Villanueva, V., Wolinski, L. et al. Galled leaves as an improved resource for benthic detritivores. Aquat Sci 83, 68 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-021-00826-3

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