Local consumers are the first line to control biological invasions: a case of study with the whelk Stramonita haemastoma (Gastropoda: Muricidae)

摘要: The increasing spread of invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea determines several alterations local food webs, changing feeding habits native organisms. whelk Stramonita haemastoma is a widespread gastropod that consumes bivalves, barnacles and limpets. Previous studies showed shift its diet from bivalve Mytilaster minimus to mussel Brachidontes pharaonis, presumably due higher energy gain. Here we tested whelks’ preference among natives novel prey, calculating profitability ratio, integrating those results with biochemical analysis on prey tissues routine metabolism whelks. Further, used scaled functional response as theoretical tool describe ability obtain their environment by using four different species: B. Mytilus galloprovincialis, M. Patella caerulea. Whelks evidenced Type II for all while displayed lower attack rate handling time. greater Brachidontes, resulted energetic content, second most profitable after Patella. This suggests gain behind change predator’s diet, possible effects budget.