Hypoxia modifies planktivore–zooplankton interactions in Lake Erie

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 2018-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Pothoven ◽  
Henry A. Vanderploeg ◽  
Tomas O. Höök ◽  
Stuart A. Ludsin
Keyword(s):  
Lake Erie ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Bythotrephes Longimanus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Leptodora Kindtii ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Zooplankton Production

We evaluated vertical distributions of fish and zooplankton, planktivore consumption, and prey production in Lake Erie during 2005 to determine how hypolimnetic hypoxia alters fish (i.e., rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides)) and invertebrate planktivore (i.e., Bythotrephes longimanus and Leptodora kindtii) relationships with their mesozooplankton prey. Hypoxia concentrated 45%–76% of fish into a narrow (<2 m) metalimnetic layer, but only 3%–13% of zooplankton production was in this layer. The epilimnion may have served to some degree as a refuge for mesozooplankton because high temperatures may have excluded rainbow smelt. High concentrations of fish above the hypolimnion likely resulted in increased competition for large prey (i.e., predatory claodcerans). Although hypoxia did not result in overall high predation demands by planktivores relative to total zooplankton production, planktivore consumption rates within the metalimnion exceeded zooplankton production in that layer.

Energetic consequences of diet shifts in Lake Erie rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
SL Parker Stetter ◽  
L D Witzel ◽  
L G Rudstam ◽  
D W Einhouse ◽  
E L Mills
Keyword(s):  
Lake Erie ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Bythotrephes Longimanus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Diet Shifts ◽  
Bioenergetics Models

The diet of eastern Lake Erie rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) has changed since the 1960s, reflecting food resource shifts due to phosphorus reductions and the invasion of exotic species (dreissenid mussels and Bythotrephes longimanus). Since rainbow smelt growth was lower in the 1990s than in the 1960s, we considered diet changes as an explanation. A decrease in the proportion of zooplankton occurred in the summer (May–August) diet of two size classes (63–88 and 89–114 mm fork length) between 1961 and 1999. Within the zooplankton, the proportion of Bythotrephes increased. In spite of these changes, energy density (joules per gram) of the summer (June–August) diet has not changed since 1961. However, during the late-summer and fall, predation on Bythotrephes, and therefore the proportion of indigestible spines in the stomach, increases. Using bioenergetics models, we show that Lake Erie rainbow smelt could achieve 66%–155% greater growth between June and October if Bythotrephes spines were replaced with digestible prey items, resulting in end-of-season weights and lengths similar to the 1985–1990 period. Our results indicate that indigestible Bythotrephes spines may reduce growth by occupying space in the stomach but providing no nutritional value to the fish, thereby reducing the realized daily ration for rainbow smelt.

Planktivory by alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) on microcrustacean zooplankton and dreissenid (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) veligers in southern Lake Ontario

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 925-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward L. Mills ◽  
Connie Adams ◽  
Robert O'Gorman ◽  
Randall W. Owens ◽  
Edward F. Roseman
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
South Shore ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Veliger Larvae

The objective of this study was to describe the diet of young-of-the-year and adult alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in nearshore waters coincident with the colonization of Lake Ontario by Dreissena. Laboratory experiments and field observations indicated that alewife and rainbow smelt consumed dreissenid veligers and that the veligers remained intact and identifiable in the digestive tract for several hours. Dreissenid larvae were found in field-caught alewife and rainbow smelt in August 1992, even though veliger densities were low (<0.1/L). Zooplankton dominated the diet of all fish and veliger larvae were <0.1% of the biomass of prey eaten by these fish. Density of veligers and the distribution of settled dreissenids declined from west to east along the south shore of Lake Ontario. Based on veliger consumption rates we measured and the abundance of veligers and planktivores, we conclude that planktivory by alewife and smelt in the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario did not substantially reduce the number of veligers during 1991–1993. However, our results indicate that if the density of veligers in Lake Ontario decreases, and if planktivores remain abundant, planktivory on veliger populations could be significant.

Mysid and fish zooplanktivory in Lake Ontario: quantification of direct and indirect effects

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2734-2747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Gal ◽  
Lars G Rudstam ◽  
Edward L Mills ◽  
Jana R Lantry ◽  
Ora E Johannsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Fish Feed ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Mysis Relicta ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Potential Rate

Mysis relicta and planktivorous fish feed on zooplankton in Lake Ontario and form a trophic triangle that includes intraguild predation by fish on mysids. Thus, fish affect zooplankton both directly and indirectly. To evaluate the importance of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), and mysids as zooplanktivores in Lake Ontario, we measured abundances and distributions, assessed diets, and computed mysid and fish consumption rates based on bioenergetics models. We further estimated indirect effects by comparing clearance rates given observed and potential mysid distributions. Estimated consumption rates varied widely with season and water depth and ranged between 2.6 × 10–3 and 1.3 g·m–2·day–1 for mysids and between 1.4 × 10–3 and 0.5 g·m–2·day–1 for fish, representing a daily removal of zooplankton of up to 10.2%·day–1 and 2.0%·day–1 by mysids and fish, respectively. Mysid planktivory exceeded fish planktivory in May and August, but fish planktivory dominated in October. Estimated mysid planktivory rates were 2- to 90-fold lower than the potential rate if mysids moved to temperatures that maximized their predation rates, suggesting an indirect positive effect of fish on zooplankton.

An evaluation of light-mediated vertical migration of fish based on hydroacoustic analysis of the diel vertical movements of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Appenzeller ◽  
W. C. Leggett
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Ambient Light ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Vertical Movements ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Lower Light

We used hydroacoustics to examine diel changes in the vertical distributions of rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, in Lake Memphremagog, Quebec/Vermont. Our objective was to evaluate hypotheses linking diel vertical movements of fish with light levels. Smelt distributions were also monitored from June through October (1988 and 1990) to evaluate seasonal changes in their behavior. A strong relationship (r2 = 0.83) between ambient light intensities and the upper fish layer in the water column was observed. Fish depth was also related to the depth of the thermocline during the night and when surface water temperatures were > 18 °C. The most characteristic feature was the strong avoidance of light levels > 0.1 μW/cm2. However, we found considerable variation in lower light levels experienced by the whole fish population. The results suggest that existing models of anti-predation behavior relating light and fish depth are consistent, with some limitations, with patterns of diel vertical migration in rainbow smelt.

Evaluating the effect of pelagic zooplankton community composition and density on larval walleye (Sander vitreus) growth with a bioenergetic-based foraging model

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1039-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin N. McDonnell ◽  
Brian M. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Zooplankton Community ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Community Influences ◽  
Prey Preferences ◽  
Class Strength ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Zooplankton Communities

We developed a bioenergetic-based foraging model to evaluate how the composition of the pelagic zooplankton community influences the growth of zooplanktivorous larval walleye (Sander vitreus). Our model incorporates field observations of pelagic zooplankton composition and density as well as size-specific prey preferences of larval walleye to simulate both foraging and consumption rates. The model was evaluated in four lakes in northern Wisconsin: two with invasive populations of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and two without populations of rainbow smelt. Invasive rainbow smelt are known to alter the composition of pelagic zooplankton communities as well as cause declines in walleye recruitment, thus providing a unique opportunity to evaluate our model. The results suggest that larval walleye growth is slowed in systems that lack high densities of large-bodied Daphnia. Such conditions may create an energetic bottleneck for larval walleye. This approach could easily be applied to other species that are also affected by rainbow smelt or more generally where success of larval foraging is suspected to have a large influence on year-class strength.

Growth rate and condition of walleye (Sander vitreus), sauger (Sander canadensis), and dwarf walleye in a large Canadian lake

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 739-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.T. Sheppard ◽  
B.J. Hann ◽  
G.K. Davoren
Keyword(s):  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Bythotrephes Longimanus ◽  
The South ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Lake Winnipeg ◽  
South Basin ◽  
The North ◽  
North And South

The second largest inland walleye (Sander vitreus (Mitchill, 1818)) and sauger (Sander canadensis (Griffith and Smith, 1834)) fishery in Canada is found in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. To manage the fishery for a sustainable future, the growth and condition of these fish must be understood. Objectives were to (1) examine baseline growth and condition of walleye and sauger in Lake Winnipeg, (2) evaluate variation between the North and South basins, and (3) contribute observational findings on the distribution of dwarf walleye. Gill nets were set to catch walleye, sauger, and dwarf walleye throughout both basins at various locations and in all seasons during 2010 and 2011. North Basin walleye and sauger had higher growth rates and condition relative to the South Basin. This may be due to differential exploitation rates or diets such as the consumption of invasive rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax (Mitchell, 1814)) in the North Basin and not in the South Basin. Dwarf walleye were observed more frequently in the South Basin than in the North Basin. Overall, this study provides important baseline data on the growth and condition of walleye and sauger populations prior to invasion of the spiny waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus Leydig, 1860) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)).

Population dynamics of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in Lakes Ontario and Erie: a modeling analysis of cannibalism effects

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1594-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian F Lantry ◽  
Donald J Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Modeling Analysis ◽  
Daily Time Step ◽  
Annual Time ◽  
Daily Time

We used a stochastic stage-based matrix model (annual time step) and a bioenergetics model (daily time step) to simulate population dynamics, production, consumption, and conversion efficiency for rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) populations in Lakes Ontario and Erie. Cannibalism on young-of the-year (YOY) smelt by yearlings was the only scenario that reproduced alternate-year recruitment cycles observed in Lakes Ontario and Erie. Assuming constant survivorship and 5% variation in cannibalism, less than one YOY consumed per yearling smelt per year in both lakes could produce fluctuations greater than those observed. We found that at estimated daily mortality rates and during the pelagic phase of larvae only, 2% of the yearling smelt in Lake Erie and 5.1% in Lake Ontario need to consume one YOY per day to induce the observed abundance fluctuations. Bioenergetics simulations of alternating recruitment produced fluctuations in simulated values for annual gross production of approximately 6-7 and 31-59% for the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie smelt populations, respectively.

scholarly journals Leptodora kindtii Population Dynamics in the Island Region of Western Lake Erie before and after the Invasion of the Predacious Cladoceran Bythotrephes longimanus

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
K. E. Simpson ◽  
W J Edwards ◽  
Douglas Donald Kane
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Bythotrephes Longimanus ◽  
Western Basin ◽  
Leptodora Kindtii ◽  
Western Lake ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Marked Decline

Competition among native and non-native species can cause decreases in population size and production of both species.  The native predaceous crustacean zooplankter Leptodora kindtii shares a similar niche with the invasive Bythotrephes longimanus in Lake Erie.  This niche overlap may contribute to the decline in abundance and production of Leptodora in the western basin of Lake Erie.  Historical (1946) and recent (2006) data were used to determine if the decline in Leptodora abundance and production was associated with the effects of Bythotrephes, which invaded Lake Erie in the mid-1980’s.  Pre-invasion abundances and lengths of L. kindtii were compared with current data (2006).  A change in prey community abundance, composition and dynamics were observed, relative to pre-invasion, with a marked decline in.abundance and size of L. kindtii after the invasion of Bythotrephes. Competition for food and direct predation are two explanations, among others, for the declines observed in L. kindtii size, abundance and production that have occurred since B. longimanus invasion.

Glycerol and water balance in a near-isosmotic teleost, winter-acclimatized rainbow smelt

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1849-1854 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Raymond
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Freezing Point ◽  
Urine Flow ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Drinking Rate ◽  
Osmotic Water ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Reduced Drinking

Rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, have previously been shown to produce high concentrations of glycerol in winter to avoid freezing, becoming almost isosmotic in a marine environment when temperatures reach the freezing point of seawater. Here it is shown that osmotic water losses, as shown by drinking rate, decrease dramatically in winter as a result of the increased osmolality. Urine flow also appears to decrease in winter in response to reduced drinking. Glycerol is lost through the skin and gills, and probably through intestinal discharge, at total rates ranging from 3.5 to 9.5 mg∙100 g−1∙h−1. Combined permeabilities to glycerol of the gills and skin in the head were in the range 0.9–2.6 × 10−7 cm∙s−1. Glycerol concentrations, efflux, and permeability of the gills were comparable to those for urea in marine elasmobranchs. However, mechanisms for conserving the two osmolytes may differ.

A Comparison of Spawning, Harvested, and Die-Off Rainbow Smelt, Osmerus Mordax, in Eastern Lake Erie

1981 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Nsembukya-Katuramu ◽  
Eugene K. Balon ◽  
Robin Mahon
Keyword(s):  
Lake Erie ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Rainbow Smelt
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