Emergent trophic interactions following the Chinook salmon invasion of Patagonia

In their native range, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) have strong interactions with a multitude of species due to the annual pulse marine-derived nutrients that they deliver streams and forests when spawn die. Over past few decades, Chinook tshawytscha) has established non-native populations throughout Patagonia region southern South America. Here, we provide first assessment pathways through which salmon-derived enter stream forest food webs in by surveying multiple Chile identify invertebrate vertebrate consumers carcasses summarizing all documented trophic Patagonia. Blowflies (Calliphoridae) were dominant colonizer riparian zone, midge flies (Chironomidae) most common on submerged carcasses. Camera trap monitoring zone revealed consumption or carcass-associated invertebrates insectivorous passerine bird “chucao” (Scelorchilis rubecula), small rodents (black rat Rattus rattus, house mouse Mus musculus, and/or colilargo Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), American fox “culpeo” (Lycalopex culpaeus), invasive mink (Neovison vison). A was filmed transferring carcass from streambank, indicating scavenging likely increases degree terrestrial webs. The taxa consume are closely related benefit North America, suggesting nutrient incorporation functionally re-emerged Similarly, trout mykiss Salmo trutta) Patagonia, eco-evolutionary history coexistence could mean preadapted for thus be key beneficiaries this invasion. Expanded abundance impacts will vital understanding how these novel inputs alter Patagonian