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TROPHIC INTERACTIONS OF OCTOPUS VULGARIS AND THE IMPACTS OF PLASTIC LEACHATE OLEAMIDE
- Date Issued:
- 2023
- Abstract/Description:
- Octopus predation and species selection contribute to community structure in benthic habitats, where plastic pollution accumulates. This study investigated how the bioactive plastic additive oleamide alters trophic interactions and behaviors of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and its prey. We quantified activity budgets and trophic interactions for octopuses and multiple prey types (hermit crabs, free-living crabs, bivalves, and gastropods) before and after exposure to oleamide. Our analysis suggested that some taxa (octopuses and hermit crabs) exhibit more active behaviors during oleamide exposure. Free living crabs responded primarily to the threat of octopus predation, while other taxa did not show clear behavioral responses. Exposure to oleamide increased trophic interactions and the probability of mobile prey taxa being observed on the same side of the aquarium as the octopus, thus increasing the opportunity for predation. Our results support previous research showing that plastic leachates can impair decision-making, making prey more susceptible to predation.
Title: | TROPHIC INTERACTIONS OF OCTOPUS VULGARIS AND THE IMPACTS OF PLASTIC LEACHATE OLEAMIDE . |
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Name(s): |
Hair, Madelyn A. , author McCoy , Michael, Thesis advisor Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor Department of Marine Science and Oceanography Charles E. Schmidt College of Science |
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Type of Resource: | text | |
Genre: | Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation | |
Date Created: | 2023 | |
Date Issued: | 2023 | |
Publisher: | Florida Atlantic University | |
Place of Publication: | Boca Raton, Fla. | |
Physical Form: | application/pdf | |
Extent: | 76 p. | |
Language(s): | English | |
Abstract/Description: | Octopus predation and species selection contribute to community structure in benthic habitats, where plastic pollution accumulates. This study investigated how the bioactive plastic additive oleamide alters trophic interactions and behaviors of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and its prey. We quantified activity budgets and trophic interactions for octopuses and multiple prey types (hermit crabs, free-living crabs, bivalves, and gastropods) before and after exposure to oleamide. Our analysis suggested that some taxa (octopuses and hermit crabs) exhibit more active behaviors during oleamide exposure. Free living crabs responded primarily to the threat of octopus predation, while other taxa did not show clear behavioral responses. Exposure to oleamide increased trophic interactions and the probability of mobile prey taxa being observed on the same side of the aquarium as the octopus, thus increasing the opportunity for predation. Our results support previous research showing that plastic leachates can impair decision-making, making prey more susceptible to predation. | |
Identifier: | FA00014278 (IID) | |
Degree granted: | Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023. | |
Collection: | FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection | |
Note(s): | Includes bibliography. | |
Subject(s): |
Common octopus Predation (Biology) Plastics--Environmental aspects |
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Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014278 | |
Use and Reproduction: | Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. | |
Host Institution: | FAU |