Mechanisms underlying lack of functional compensation by insect grazers after tadpole declines in a Neotropical stream

Abstract Resilience of ecosystems to the sudden decline large‐bodied species is dependent on characteristics surviving guild members. However, that response may also be mediated by local habitat conditions. Here, we examine mechanisms behind observed lack functional compensation in algal‐grazing insect grazers following tadpole a forested Panamanian stream. We examined: (1) shifts individual size distribution between pre‐ and post‐tadpole declines pool riffle habitats; (2) preferences for small‐, medium‐, large‐sized diatoms; (3) causal explanation why insects did not functionally compensate declines. The differed habitats, becoming uniform pools more right skewed toward smaller class riffles. In both tadpoles selectively consumed medium‐sized diatoms but avoided largest‐sized diatoms. contrast, grazing small‐sized diatoms, switched after Tadpole led loss strongest interactions consumers Smaller‐bodied could duplicate these interactions, even with shift resource use, providing an compensation. Furthermore, different community structures each indicating conditions This suggests does lead singular outcome community.