Life-history trade-off in two predator species sharing the same prey: a study on cassava-inhabiting mites

: Magalhaes S, Brommer JE, Silva ES, Bakker FM, Sabelis MW

Publisher: BLACKWELL MUNKSGAARD

: 2003

Oikos

OIKOS

: OIKOS

: 102

: 3

: 533

: 542

: 10

: 0030-1299

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.12430.x

To monitor the prey densities experienced by the two predator species in their micro-environment, we assessed prey and predator populations in apices and on the leaves of cassava plants in the field. Prey densities peaked from November to January and reached the lowest levels in July. They were higher on leaves than in the apices. To test whether the life histories of the two predator species are tuned to the prey density they experience, we measured age-specific fecundity and survival of the two predators under three prey density regimes (I prey female/72 h, I prey female/24 h and above the predators level of satiation). T. manihoti had a higher growth rate than T. aripo at high prey densities, mainly due to its higher fecundity. T. aripo had a higher growth rate at low prey density regimes, due to its late fecundity and survival. Thus, each of the two species perform better under the prey density that characterizes their micro-habitat within the plant.