The impact of a range-shifting predator is affected by prey preference and composition

Global biodiversity is undergoing a grand reshuffling with species across taxa and biomes shifting their ranges in response to climate change. Research on the ecological impacts of range-shifting species has prioritized linking the traits of the range-shifting species themselves to impacts, with studies giving more limited attention to the characteristics of the recipient community. Understanding how community composition and structure can alter the impact of novel species is important for predicting and managing ecological changes. We used the range-shifting predatory whelk Mexacanthina lugubris as a case study to investigate how the presence of shellfish prey might influence range shift impacts. We hypothesized that the structure of a recipient community would influence Mexacanthina lugubris’ consumptive effects. We tested this hypothesis via a field experiment in southern California, where we caged whelks at a gradient of densities and observed their predation on mussels, barnacles l..., , # Data from: The impact of a range-shifting predator is affected by prey preference and composition

#### Kyle Suen

#### 2025-06-26

[Access this dataset on Dryad](https://datadryad.org/submission/10.5061/dryad.69p8cz9ds)

The dataset consists of data gathered from caging experiments that were conducted to monitor the consumption of prey by a range-shifting predator. At Dana Point and Scripps Reef, CA, cages were placed at the intertidal zone on plots that contained California mussels and acorn barnacles. Varying densities of *Mexacanthina lugubris*, a range-shifting predatory whelk that feeds on mussels and barnacles, were placed in the cages. Observations were made of their feeding rates and prey preferences over the course of eight weeks in order to see how the presence of mussels may affect the feeding habits of barnacles by *Mexacanthina lugubris*. Results were displayed via consumption rates of barnacles on bare rock and of barnacles on mussels, and through changes in preference ...,