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Snail communities improve submerged macrophytes growth by graze epiphytic algae and phytoplankton in a mesocosm experiment
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  • Tian Lv,
  • Xin Guan,
  • Shufeng Fan,
  • Chunhua Liu
Tian Lv
Wuhan University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Xin Guan
Wuhan University
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Shufeng Fan
Wuhan University
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Chunhua Liu
Wuhan University
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Abstract

The relationship between producers (e.g., macrophyte, phytoplankton and epiphytic algae) and snails plays an important role in maintaining the function and stability of the shallow ecosystems. A complex relationship exists among macrophytes, epiphytic algae, phytoplankton and snails. An outdoor mesocosm experiment with two-way factorials was carried out, three species submerged macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillate, Vallisneria natans or one exotic submerged plant Elodea nuttallii) and two grazing treatments (4 snail species present or absent) to elucidate those relationships. The results showed that the snail communities reducing the biomass of phytoplankton and epiphytic algae indirect then enhanced the growth of the submerged macrophytes. The macrophyte with complex architecture supported more snail and epiphytic algae, and snails preferred to feed on native plants. Competition drove snails change the grazing preferences to achieve coexistence, so that led to the assembling of snail communities towards the direction of highest resource utilization.
01 May 2021Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
03 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
03 May 2021Assigned to Editor
07 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Aug 20211st Revision Received
02 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
02 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
02 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Dec 20212nd Revision Received
10 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
10 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
10 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
14 Jan 20223rd Revision Received
15 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
15 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
15 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Accept