Bioenergetic relations in submerged aquatic vegetation: an experimental test of prey use by juvenile bluegills

Abstract— We experimentally tested the hypotheses that bluegills in vegetated habitats grow more rapidly than in nonvegetated habitats because (1) vegetated habitats contain a greater caloric density and (2) are less susceptible to energetic depletion. The 10-week experiment was conducted in enclosures containing factorial combinations of the presence or absence of Vallisneria americana and juvenile bluegills Lepomis macrochirus . After 6 weeks, Vallisneria -only treatments contained a mean of 1048 cal/m² in the benthos, whereas treatments with both Vallisneria and bluegills contained 610 cal/m². Hyalella azteca , a preferred prey of bluegill, were nearly depleted in nonvegetated enclosures, whereas Hyalella densities in enclosures with Vallisneria were much less effected by fish. Bluegill growth was significantly greater with Vallisneria than without but declining water temperatures after week 6 resulted in slower growth despite abundant prey. Ultimately, growth of bluegill resulted from an interaction between availability and ingestion of prey, and water temperature.     

Patterns of foraging and distribution of bluegill sunfish in a Mississippi River backwater: influence of macrophytes and predation

Abstract— We studied the trophic interactions and spatial distributions of bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in a macrophyte bed in Lake Onalaska, a backwater lake in the upper Mississippi River. The diets of adult and age-0 bluegills were similar and changed seasonally probably in response to changes in life stages of macroinvertebrates (i. e. emergence of winged adults). Diets and diel patterns of abundance of bluegill suggest that age-O and adults were feeding in the vegetated, littoral zone. Predation by age-O largemouth bass appears to influence use of vegetated habitat by age-0 bluegills. In summer, when most age-O bluegills were vulnerable to predation by age-O largemouth bass, bluegill abundance was strongly correlated with vegetation biomass. In October and November, piscivory by age-O largemouth bass was limited by gape. Consequently, the relationship between the abundance of age-O bluegills and vegetation biomass was weakened because predation risk by age-O largemouth bass was reduced.     

Seasonal abundance,diet, and energy consumption of round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) in Lake Erie tributary streams

Pennuto CM, Krakowiak PJ, Janik CE. Seasonal abundance, diet, and energy consumption of round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) in Lake Erie tributary streams.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 206–215. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – The invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a benthic invertivore that has become established in many lake and river systems of Europe and the United States, especially within the Great Lakes basin. Multiple reports document its negative impact on benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes in lakes and recent studies show fish and invertebrate communities in streams are equally at risk. We assessed the seasonal abundance of round gobies and their summer diet composition in tributary streams to Lake Erie. Populations of round gobies in the lower reaches of two tributary streams peaked in abundance in early fall, were absent in late winter, and reappeared in early spring, suggesting a possible out‐migration to the lake in winter. Population size distributions show a peak recruitment of young round gobies in July and low‐level recruitment through October. In this study, round gobies obtained most of their energy from amphipods, chironomids, and caddisflies compared to other invertebrates, and midges were consumed in greater proportion than their availability suggesting a preference for these prey. As the stream lacked molluscs, large round gobies remained generalist invertivores without a diet shift to molluscivory as has been reported in lake studies. The observations on recruitment and abundance, and possible out‐migration suggest the lower reaches of tributary streams may act as source populations for lake‐bound round gobies. It may be possible to take advantage of this out‐migration behaviour as a control strategy to capture large numbers of round gobies each winter.     

Habitat characteristics at bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lake

Abstract –  Bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) primarily reproduce in spawning colonies. We assessed habitat characteristics at 15 bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lake. Nesting sites were visually identified and angling was used to verify the species of nesting fish. Habitat characteristics were measured at each nesting site and compared with those measured at 75 randomly selected sites. In Lake Cochrane, mean water depth of spawning colonies was 1.0 m. Of the 13 habitat characteristics measured, four (substrate type, substrate firmness, vegetation density and dissolved oxygen levels) were significantly different ( P  ≤ 0.05) between nesting and random sites. Every bluegill nest site contained gravel substrate, despite the availability of muck, sand and rock. Substrate firmness was indexed at 0-cm penetration and vegetation density was low at all nesting sites. Additionally, bluegills selected nesting locations with relatively moderate dissolved oxygen levels. Lake Cochrane bluegill nest sites consisted of shallow, gravel areas with short, low-density, live submergent Chara vegetation.     

Generalist versus specialist: the performances of perch and ruffe in a lake of low productivity

Abstract –  To elucidate the performances of perch and ruffe in oligotrophic lakes, we carried out a field study in reoligotrophic Upper Lake Constance. Both these percids used the same habitat, albeit with different activity patterns. Interspecific competition for food was relevant only in summer when both species fed on zoobenthos. Even then, niche overlap was low, while intraspecific diet overlap was moderate to high throughout the season. Perch did not perform fixed, ontogenetic diet shifts, but used a wide range of prey. During spring and early summer, all size classes were planktivorous, then switched to benthivory and cannibalism in summer, and part of the population reverted to planktivory in autumn. Ruffe, by contrast, fed mainly on chironomid larvae and pupae throughout the year. It is suggested that in lakes of low productivity the euryphagous characteristics of perch, including cannibalism, provide a clear advantage over the benthivorous specialist ruffe in two ways: (i) it allows perch to switch to alternative prey types if one prey type becomes scarce; and (ii) reduces both intra- and interspecific competition for food.     

Growth and mortality of juvenile sunfishes (Lepomis sp.) under heavy predation

The relationship among growth, energy storage and mortality of juvenile bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus, Rafinesque) experiencing heavy predation was experimentally investigated in a large reservoir where piscivorous largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, Lacépède) were abundant. I conducted experiments evaluating interspecific competition, density-dependent growth and lipid content and habitat-specific growth and mortality rates of juvenile bluegills in this reservoir. Enclosure experiments showed that the growth rates of bluegills were unaffected by presence of other Lepomis species but decreased with increasing bluegill density. However, at densities corresponding to those found in the reservoir, the growth rates of bluegills were high, and competition appeared to be relatively unimportant. The percentage lipid content of bluegills was unaffected by the presence of other species, density of bluegills or habitat. The growth rates of bluegills in vegetated refuge areas were significantly higher and mortality rates were significantly lower compared with open water habitats. The low densities and high growth rates of juvenile bluegills in refuge environments suggests that there is a strong lethal effect of predators on this population of bluegills.     

Prey resource use by bluegill and channel catfish in small impoundments

Abstract  Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), are commonly stocked into small impoundments that contain bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, and these species may compete for food resources because both prey on macroinvertebrates. Prey selectivity and diet overlap of sympatric bluegill and channel catfish were evaluated in two small impoundments. Both fish species fed primarily on macroinvertebrates; but diet overlap between the species generally was not extensive because channel catfish consumed a more diverse array of foods, including more crayfish, fish and plant material. The use of foods other than macroinvertebrates increased as channel catfish grew larger. Bluegill also ingested large quantities of plant material at times, and ingestion of plants increased with fish size. Results of this study suggest that food competition between bluegill and channel catfish may occur when small channel catfish are abundant because, like bluegill, they feed almost entirely on macroinvertebrates and may reduce macroinvertebrate abundance. Thus, overstocking channel catfish in small impoundments managed for bluegill should be avoided.     

Potential direct and indirect effects of climate change on a shallow natural lake fish assemblage

Much uncertainty exists around how fish communities in shallow lakes will respond to climate change. In this study, we modelled the effects of increased water temperatures on consumption and growth rates of two piscivores (northern pike [Esox lucius] and largemouth bass [Micropterus salmoides]) and examined relative effects of consumption by these predators on two prey species (bluegill [Lepomis macrochirus] and yellow perch [Perca flavescens]). Bioenergetics models were used to simulate the effects of climate change on growth and food consumption using predicted 2040 and 2060 temperatures in a shallow Nebraska Sandhill lake, USA. The patterns and magnitude of daily and cumulative consumption during the growing season (April–October) were generally similar between the two predators. However, growth of northern pike was always reduced (?3 to ?45% change) compared to largemouth bass that experienced subtle changes (4 to ?6% change) in weight by the end of the growing season. Assuming similar population size structure and numbers of predators in 2040–2060, future consumption of bluegill and yellow perch by northern pike and largemouth bass will likely increase (range: 3–24%), necessitating greater prey biomass to meet future energy demands. The timing of increased predator consumption will likely shift towards spring and fall (compared to summer), when prey species may not be available in the quantities required. Our findings suggest that increased water temperatures may affect species at the edge of their native range (i.e. northern pike) and a potential mismatch between predator and prey could exist.     

Invasive gobies in the Danube: invasion success facilitated by availability and selection of superior food resources

Abstract –  We investigated somatic condition, growth rate, diet and food resources of the native (lower Danube) and non-native (upper Danube) populations of invasive bighead goby Neogobius kessleri and round goby N. melanostomus within the Danube River to answer the question whether prey availability and type may have facilitated successful goby invasion to the upper Danube. The non-native populations of both species were in better somatic condition and grew faster. The biomass of nonmollusc macrozoobenthos, dominated by Amphipoda, was markedly higher in the non-native range while molluscs were recorded frequently in both the native and non-native ranges. Amphipods were far the most consumed prey by non-native fish, whereas native fish combined two main prey types – amphipods and fish (bighead goby) and amphipods and bivalves (round goby). A laboratory experiment was conducted to reveal whether the low consumption of bivalves by the round goby in the non-native range reflects prey encounter rates or alternatively prey selectivity. When bivalves and amphipods were offered simultaneously in excess to the experimental fish, round goby showed strong preference towards amphipods. Molluscs are hypothesised to be an alternative rather than the most preferred prey for the round goby. Rich food resources utilised by the non-native bighead and round goby contribute to their invasive success in the upper Danube.     

太湖流域城市湖泊大型底栖动物群落结构及影响因素研究

太湖流域城市湖泊富营养化问题严重,研究不同营养水平城市湖泊底栖动物群落的差异及成因,可为丰富底栖动物生态学研究和城市湖泊生态系统恢复提供参考。本研究于2018年12月、2019年3月、6月、9月在太湖流域15个城市湖泊开展了四个季度的调查,结果显示,重度、中度、轻度富营养和中营养水体分别占10.03%、36.89%、42.07%和11.00%。随水体营养下降,透明度显著上升,浊度、总磷和叶绿素a浓度显著下降,大型底栖动物总生物量、蚌类密度和生物量上升,寡毛类密度和生物量下降。在重度富营养水体中,底栖动物总生物量显著小于其他类型水体（P<0.01）;在轻度富营养和中营养水体中,蚌类密度和生物量显著大于重度和中度富营养水体（P<0.01）,寡毛类密度则显著小于重度和中度富营养水体（P<0.01）。Shannon-Wiener、Simpson和Pielou指数随水体营养水平下降,先上升再下降,在轻度富营养水体中最高。结构方程模型分析发现,在轻度富营养和中营养湖泊中,水温、总磷和叶绿素a浓度是影响底栖动物群落的关键环境因子。总磷浓度升高会显著促进软体动物增长（P<0.01）,对螺、蚌的路径系数分别高达0.414和0.440。总磷浓度与水温上升都能显著促进多毛类种群增长（P<0.01）,抑制水生昆虫种群（P<0.01）,路径系数分别为0.376和-0.423。本研究认为,城市湖泊水体中总磷和叶绿素a浓度对大型底栖动物群落结构有重要影响,对磷和藻类的控制,对城市湖泊底栖动物群落恢复和水生态系统修复有重要参考价值。     

Diet overlap of non‐native alewife with native yellow perch and spottail shiner in nearshore waters of southwestern Lake Michigan, 2000–2007

Abstract – Lake Michigan has experienced many ecological changes as a result of introductions of non‐native species. Arguably the most significant was that of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), yet studies on diet overlap with native species are lacking. We analysed diet trends of alewife, spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) collected in summer and fall 2000–2007 near Waukegan, IL, in 3–10 m depths. Mean percentage composition by dry weight for 23 prey taxa was used in multivariate analysis to test whether diet differed across species and size classes. We also tested whether zooplankton and benthic invertebrate community composition changed over time. Fish diets were similar over all years but differed seasonally. In summer, diets of large alewife were similar to both small alewife and small yellow perch, with Bosminidae, chironomid larvae and copepods as primary common prey. During fall, alewife and yellow perch size classes exhibited strong intraspecific diet overlap, while there was low diet overlap between species. Primary distinctions between species’ diets in fall were higher consumption of amphipods by yellow perch and dreissenids by spottail shiners compared to alewife, which consumed higher proportions of zooplankton. Overall, high yellow perch diet overlap with alewife during summer and with their larger conspecifics during fall could lead to negative implications for yellow perch growth before the critical overwintering period. Detailed insights into diet overlap and prey availability are critical first steps in understanding competitive interactions between native and non‐native fish that dominate the nearshore community in southwestern Lake Michigan.     

Rearing Male Bluegills Indoors May Be Advantageous for Producing Food-size Sunfish

Abstract.— An indicated demand for sunfish ( Lepomis spp.) as a food fish remains untested because of continuing inability to efficiently rear these fishes to required large sizes (≥227 g; 0.5 lbs). A recent study involving parallel, indoor rearing of two sunfishes under favorable conditions showed that bluegills Lepomis macrochirus possessed markedly higher growth capacity than B × G hybrids (F₁: male bluegill × female green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus ). B × G hybrids had been thought to possess superior growth capacity and so have received more attention than bluegills as a food-fish candidate in many areas of the USA. Reanalysis of data from the recent study with emphasis on gender differences revealed that the male bluegills possessed much higher growth capacity than male B × G hybrids, at least from May to March as Age 1 and then early Age 2 fish. Male bluegills reached 67% of food-market weight within the 10-mo period from a starting weight of 7 g; male B × G hybrids reached only 24% of this weight. Male bluegills' more rapid growth versus male B × G hybrids' apparently involved less growth energy allocation to gonad development. Female bluegills grew slower than male bluegills but also outgrew male and female B × G hybrids whose growth trajectories declined in midsummer (June) and remained largely flat through March. The previous view that B × G hybrids possess higher growth capacity than bluegills was fostered by studies in ponds where bluegill growth can be impeded by high reproduction rates and, as this study reveals, by high densities and exposure to suboptimal temperatures when their growth potential is high. Indoor rearing of male bluegills should ameliorate most pond-related growth impediments and take fuller advantage of their rapid growth capacity.     

Seasonal intestinal coccidiosis in wild bluegill Lepomis macrochirus is associated with a spring bacterial epizootic

Wild bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, succumb to seasonal mortality in the early spring during cool water temperatures, shown previously to be related to bacteraemia caused by a psychrotrophic bacterium, Pseudomonas mandelii. In the study herein, intestinal coccidiosis in wild bluegill had seasonal prevalence causing heavy intestinal infections and sloughing of intestinal epithelium occurring in late winter/early spring. Infections were predominantly related to two different species, Goussia washuti n. sp., an epicellular coccidium, and a coccidium closely resembling Goussia desseri Molnár 1996, previously only described in percid fish in Europe. In 2019, co‐infections of bacteraemia and intestinal coccidiosis occurred in bluegills. Evaluating coccidium infection intensity by fresh parasite examination and histology, an association was observed in which fish with moderate‐to‐heavy intestinal coccidiosis were 8–12 times more likely to have bacteraemia compared to fish with no or light coccidiosis. The association of these co‐infections suggests that intestinal coccidiosis could contribute to seasonal bacterial epizootics of wild bluegill.     

Long-term variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocking success in a large lake: interplay between availability of suitable prey and size at release

Abstract –  Factors affecting long-term variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocking success were examined in a large lake, Lake Oulujärvi, in central Finland. Brown trout were stocked in spring (late May to early June) in 1974–1991 and in summer (late June to early July) in 1992–2001. The biomass of the vendace, Coregonus albula (L.), population (prey) at release time had the largest positive effect on stocking success within both periods: biomass of adult vendace in spring and both 0+ and adult vendace in summer. Increasing the size of stocked fish had a positive effect if the vendace available at release were only adults. The increasing trend of predator-catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) [combined CPUE of northern pike Esox lucius L., burbot Lota lota (L.), and pike-perch Stizostedion lucioperca (L.)] through the study period and its negative effect on trout stocking success suggested an increasing effect of predation within the entire time series.     

Interannual and interdecadal variability in juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) diets in relation to environmental changes in the northern California Current

The feeding habits of juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, in the northern California Current were examined using samples from two different time periods (1980–85 and 1998–2003) of highly contrasting oceanographic conditions. The goal was to test the influence of interannual and interdecadal changes in taxonomic composition of prey, feeding intensity, and size spectra of teleost prey. Analyses were done for samples taken both early in the summer (June) shortly after the salmon enter the ocean, and also in late summer (September) following some ocean residency. Fish prey dominated coho salmon diets by weight during most years, but this trend was more pronounced during the 1980–85 sampling period. In terms of numerical composition, the diets were more variable on an interannual basis, but decapod larvae and euphausiids were important prey in most years. Pteropods and copepods were important prey during weak upwelling or El Niño years, whereas euphausiids were important during strong upwelling or otherwise highly productive years. Hyperiid amphipods comprised a substantial proportion of the diets only in 2000. Coho salmon showed highly significant differences in prey composition among years or between decades both in weight and numerical composition. The percentage of empty stomachs was highly variable by year in both June and September, but was significantly different only for September between decades. In contrast, an index of feeding intensity did not show many significant changes in either comparison. However, the relative size ratios for fish prey consumed were highly variable by year, and larger than average fish prey were consumed during 1998, leading to the highest feeding intensity observed.     

凤凰山天池断线麦穗鱼的摄食生态研究

为了解断线麦穗鱼(Pseudorasbora interrupta)在凤凰山天池的种群生物学特征,对其基础生物学特征进行了系统研究。2016年4月-2017年3月,于凤凰山天池共采集断线麦穗鱼281尾,利用胃(肠)含物分析法,分析其摄食强度、食物组成和摄食生态位。结果表明:断线麦穗鱼的摄食强度春季最低,夏、秋季较高,春秋季节差异明显。其饵料生物包括18个类群,以硅藻门占绝对优势(IRI=79.25%),其余依据IRI大小依次为绿藻门、水生昆虫、枝角类、甲藻门等。断线麦穗鱼的食物组成呈现季节变化,除全年均占绝对优势的硅藻外,次优势类群的四季差异明显。其中春季以水生昆虫和花粉较为常见;夏季以绿藻门和甲藻门较为常见;秋季以枝角类最多;冬季则为绿藻门占优。以特定饵料丰度和出现频率作图对摄食策略分析结果表明:断线麦穗鱼属于广食性鱼类,具有较为宽广的营养生态位。     

江苏省6个典型湖泊水生植物分布及其与环境因子的关系

针对近30年来江苏省湖泊富营养化问题较为严重的现状,2016年4-5月(春季)和7-9月(夏季)进行了6个典型湖泊(白马湖、宝应湖、高邮湖、邵伯湖、长荡湖、滆湖)水生植物的野外分布情况调查,计算其优势度,判定典型湖泊的水生植物优势种。结果表明,江苏省6个典型湖泊常见水生植物19科、29种,呈现明显的季节及地域差异,主要优势种为芦苇(Phragmites australis)、茭草(Zizania latifolia)、菹草(Potamogeton crispus)、穗状狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum)、荇菜(Nymphoides peltata)、空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)及野菱(Trapa natans),生活型主要以挺水植物为主。综合营养指数法评价结果显示,6个典型湖泊均属于富营养化湖泊;其中长荡湖和滆湖为中度富营养水平,白马湖、宝应湖、高邮湖、邵泊湖均达到轻度富营养化水平。结合环境因子相关性和冗余分析(RDA),认为总氮(TN)、五日生化需氧量(BOD_5)是影响江苏省湖泊优势水生植物生长分布最主要的环境因子。     

Comparative feeding, growth and movements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr from riverine and estuarine environments

Abstract– The diet composition, movcments and growth of Atlantic salmon parr rearing in the estuary of Western Arm Brook, Newfoundland were compared with those of parr from riverine habitats over 2 years. Estuarine parr consumed a variety of prey, including many freshwater taxa (mainly insects), which indicated a dependence on freshwater drift from the river. Prey of estuarine origin (amphipods and sticklebacks) were increasingly consumed between spring and autumn. Prey volume per fish and number of prey per fish increased significantly for estuarine parr between spring and autumn, suggesting an improvement in food availability. Riverine parr, however, realized a general decrease in both parameters between spring and autumn. The recapture of 16% ( n = 131) of the 829 parr marked in the estuary in 1987 and 1988 indicated a directed movement toward the head of the estuary and river mouth, as also suggested by the diet analysis. Parr from outer estuary sites were very mobile compared with parr from the estuary site closest to the river mouth, which behaved more like parr in the river proper in displaying strong site fidelity. Movement patterns of parr were primarily along the shoreline. Individual growth rates were highly variable in both environments but especially in the estuary. The mean growth of estuarine parr was 0.23 mm. d⁻¹ between May and October with some evidence of fastest growth having occurred in late spring and early summer (approx. 0.4 mm. d⁻¹); mean growth rate of riverine parr was slower, at 0.12 mm. d⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context that estuarine rearing by salmon parr represents an alternative life-history tactic for the species in river systems in eastern Canada.     

Patterns of movement of adult northern pike (Esox lucius L.) in a regulated river

Abstract –  We performed a tagging study on one of the spawning populations of northern pike ( Esox lucius L.) of the River Kajaaninjoki in Finland. Northern pike is the main predator in many lakes and rivers in the northern hemisphere. Previous tagging studies have shown a general tendency to sedentary behaviour by pike. Whether individuals in a fish population adapt a sedentary or moving strategy may affect population persistence. To study if the spawning population consists of sedentary or moving individuals and the pattern of movements, we tagged 40 pike with radio transmitters and followed them from May 2002 to June 2003. Pike were caught and tagged during the spawning season in the mouth of the River Kajaaninjoki which flows into one of the largest lakes in Finland, Lake Oulujärvi. Our results suggest that the pike spawning population consisted of sedentary pike ( N  = 16) dwelling the whole year in the river, and moving pike ( N  = 24) which moved to Lake Oulujärvi after the spawning period. Pike exhibited homing behaviour, as most of the migrating pike returned to the same spawning area in the following year. Large pike had a higher movement rate than small pike during the summer and seasonally the movement rate was lowest during the spring and highest during the summer.     

Selective feeding in a generalist invertivore, age-0 striped bass

Abstract –  Age-0 striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) and potential benthic and epibenthic invertebrate prey were collected at three sites in the mid-estuarine region of the Hudson River, New York, USA. Diet was related to prey availability to investigate the role of selectivity in feeding behaviour. The effects of prey availability and selectivity on stomach fullness were also examined. Gammarid amphipods and chironomid larvae were most numerous as stomach contents; and chironomid larvae, polychaetes, and isopods were the most numerous invertebrates captured. When selective feeding occurred, gammarid amphipods, Crangon spp. shrimp, and chironomid larvae were most commonly the preferred prey. Selective feeding correlated with higher stomach fullness. Fullness was also higher when the preferred prey was categorized as epibenthic versus benthic. Interaction between prey availability and environmental conditions appears to be an important determinant of age-0 striped bass feeding behaviour.