Dynamic species interactions associated with the range-shifting marine gastropod Mexacanthina lugubris

Piper D Wallingford,Cascade J B Sorte

doi:10.1007/s00442-022-05128-5

Piper D Wallingford, Cascade J B Sorte

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-022-05128-5

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Abstract

Globally, species are undergoing range shifts in response to climate change. However, the potential impacts of climate-driven range shifts are not well understood. In southern California, the predatory whelk Mexacanthina lugubris has undergone a northward range shift of more than 100 km in the past four decades. We traced the history of the whelk’s range shift and assessed potential effects using an integrated approach, consisting of field surveys, as well as feeding and thermotolerance experiments. We found that at sites where Mexacanthina and native species co-occurred, native whelks distributions peaked lower in the intertidal. In laboratory experiments, we found that the presence of Mexacanthina led to reduced growth in native whelks (Acanthinucella spirata). Additionally, the range-shifting whelk was able to tolerate higher temperatures than common native species (A. spirata and Nucella emarginata), suggesting further impacts as a result of climate warming. Many species are likely to undergo range shifts as a coping mechanism for changing climatic conditions. However, communities are unlikely to shift as a whole due to species-specific responses. By studying the impacts of range-shifting species, like Mexacanthina, we can better understand how climate change will alter existing community structure and composition.

Highlights

Climate change is altering populations and communities at an unprecedented scale, with the potential for irreversible losses of biodiversity (Bellard et al 2012)
We found the highest densities of Mexacanthina at Thousand Steps
In southern California, we found that Mexacanthina is continuing to expand northward and that the range-shifting whelk can impact native whelks

Summary

Introduction

Climate change is altering populations and communities at an unprecedented scale, with the potential for irreversible losses of biodiversity (Bellard et al 2012). The impacts of novel species in communities have been well studied in the invasion literature, and range-shifting species may alter community dynamics. Range shifts vary greatly in rate and extent (Chen et al 2011), and communities are unlikely to shift as a whole in response to climate change. Few studies have assessed the effects of range-shifting species (e.g., species that are not directly introduced by anthropogenic activity) as they establish in new communities, despite the potential for significant impacts to communities and ecosystems (Sorte et al 2010; Pecl et al 2017; Aguilera et al 2020)

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