Within streams, tolerant macroinvertebrates such as snails, worms and fly larvae, may inhibit colonisation of other macroinvertebrates like mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies (EPT) through biotic interactions such as competitive dominance or priority effects. We evaluated whether top-down control by freshwater crayfish could disrupt dominance of tolerant stream fauna, and subsequently facilitate colonisation of EPT. Kekewai (freshwater crayfish), Paranephrops zealandicus, were addedto flow-through stream mesocosms containing EPT larvae and snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum).
Data associated with the paper Kekewai (freshwater crayfish) as a stream restoration tool to disrupt degraded faunal dominance and facilitate biological recovery (in prep).
