Da. Lopez et al., SUBLETHAL EFFECTS PROVOKED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE PREDATOR NUCELLA CRASSILABRUM (LAMARCK) UPON THE MUSSEL PERUMYTILUS-PURPURATUS (LAMARCK) IN CHILE, REV CHIL HN, 68(4), 1995, pp. 469-475
Biotic interactions in marine invertebrates were analyzed under labora
tory conditions. An oxygen debt was observed for the intertidal mussel
Perumytilus purpuratus (Lamarck) in contact with the gastropod predat
or Nucella crassilabrum (Lamarck). This response was detected after a
short contact with the snail. The oxygen debt was similar to that dete
rmined after anoxia (N2 supply). Mussels maintained in the presence of
whelks and control animals without predators, were sequentially subje
cted to high temperatures during 2 h of air exposure. The mortality ra
te was higher in experimental individuals (previously in contact with
predators) than in controls. Experimental animals (previously exposed
to predators) experienced greater water losses (weight drop) than cont
rols, after high emersion temperature treatment. The results suggest t
hat predators could be the cause of mortality not only when organisms
are directly consumed, but also due to cumulative sublethal effects.