Impact of crayfish predation on e×otic zebra mussels and native invertebrates in a lake-outlet stream

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.L. Perry ◽  
D.M. Lodge ◽  
G.A. Lamberti
1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
W L Perry ◽  
D M Lodge ◽  
G A Lamberti

To test the hypothesis that Orconectes spp. crayfishes could be a significant source of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) mortality in streams, we conducted a laboratory experiment and a field experiment. In the laboratory experiment, maximum zebra mussel size consumed increased with increasing crayfish size for Orconectes rusticus, Orconectes propinquus, and Orconectes virilis. Slopes differed among crayfish species but not between O. rusticus sexes. To quantify crayfish impacts on seminatural zebra mussel populations, we placed 16 enclosures (0.2 m2) lined with artificial cobble substrata in a midwestern lake-outlet stream (mean width 17 m). Zebra mussels were stocked in each cage (20000 individuals/m2) 14 days before male O. rusticus (20 individuals/m2) were stocked in each of eight enclosures. Densities of all sizes of zebra mussels were reduced in enclosures, with a total density reduction of 31% over the 28 days of the experiment, relative to the exclosures. Crayfish also reduced gastropod densities by 54%, but did not significantly affect other invertebrates. Laboratory and field results suggest that predation by Orconectes crayfishes may significantly reduce zebra mussel populations in streams.


1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Morin ◽  
Christian Back ◽  
Alain Chalifour ◽  
Jacques Boisvert ◽  
Robert H. Peters

Ingestion and assimilation rates of simullid (Diptera) larvae feeding on natural seston were estimated in an artificial stream and used to predict the impact of simuliids on seston transport in a 40-m section of the outlet stream of Petit Lac Fraser in southern Quebec. This prediction was then compared with changes in the seston flux above and below the population. Finally, we selectively killed simuliids with a larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis serovar. israelensis) to observe changes in seston transport after removal of simuliids. The stream population of simuliid larvae ingested between 32 and 55% of the seston flux and assimilated between 17 and 25% of the dry mass of ingested seston. The change in assimilation of seston in the stream section before and after the larvicide treatment was similar to that predicted from assimilation rate of larvae and standing stock. Larvae ingested 0.8–1.4% of the seston per linear meter of stream, about 10–1000 times more than what has been reported for other populations of stream filter-feeders. The high values observed can be explained by high specific ingestion rates, high standing stock, and low discharge. Our results suggest that simuliid populations can be food limited and may help to explain the downstream decrease in abundance and growth rates of filter-feeders in lake outlets.


1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauli Bagge

Temporal and spatial occurrence and upstream flight of lotic mayflies and caddisflies were studied by means of kick netting, slit traps and floating emergence traps in Lake Konnevesi and its outlet stream (Siikakoski), mainly in 1983. Twenty species of mayflies and 78 species of caddisflies were recorded. Clearly lotic mayflies in the material were Baetis subalpinus, Heptagenia sulphurea and Ephemerella mucronata, which occurred only in the stream samples. Females of lotic Baetis rhodani had a long distance upstream flight in the area and occurred frequently in the floating emergence traps especially in sandy littoral habitats of L. Konnevesi. Procloeon bifidum and Nixe joernensis, which in some regions occur mainly in streams, were frequently found in the stony littoral belt of L. Konnevesi. Most of the mayflies recorded in the area were univoltine, but Baetis rhodani and Centroptilum luteolum at least had two generations in 1983. Strictly lotic species among caddisflies were Ceratopsyche nevae, Hydropsyche saxonica, Halesus digitatus, Ceraclea perplexa, Ylodes detruncatus, Athripsodes commutatus and Hydroptila forcipata. These were mainly found in stream samples. A short distance upstream flight of females (c. 0.1-0.4 km) was observed in the populations of H. siltalai, Psychomyia pusilla and Oxyethira frici and a moderate distance flight (at least 0.6 km) by females of Hydropsyche pellucidula, Cheumatopsyche lepida and Polycentropus irroratus. The most abundant caddisflies of the stream Siikakoski (Brachycentrus subnubilus, Neureclipsis bimaculata, Rhyacophila nubila, Agapetus ochripes, Micrasema setiferum and Hydroptila cornuta) were frequently found also in floating emergence traps in the lake (3. 7 km from the rapids). Females of Brachycentrus, Neureclipsis and Rhyacophila favoured traps on sandy substrata while females of Hydroptila were usually found in the stony belt. In the trap material of Agapetus ochripes, males were more abundant than females. According to emergence data, all caddisflies recorded in the area were univoltine though the emerging period of several species such as Rhyacophila nubila and Neureclipsis bimaculata was long. Maximum emergence was observed in early June when brachycentrids were swarming and another peak in August when limnephilids and leptocerids were abundant.


1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kownacki ◽  
Elzbieta Dumnicka ◽  
Joanna Galas ◽  
Barbara Kawecka ◽  
Krzysztof Wojtan

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 758-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger S. Wotton ◽  
Constantine P. Joicey ◽  
Björn Malmqvist

Suspension feeders in streams trap particles from the water column and their egesta can be captured by other individuals downstream. The resultant retention and cycling of organic matter has been termed spiralling. We investigated its significance in a lake-outlet stream that had dense aggregations of suspension-feeding black fly and midge larvae in a thin film of water. We examined the abundance of dye particles, added as a pulse, in larval guts at six sites along the outlet stream (0.15–6.94 m from the top of the dam). Samples were taken 15 min, 60 min, and 24 h after the dye had been added. From samples taken after 15 min we estimated the average spiralling length to be 5.6 m. After 24 h very few particles remained, but there were significantly more in both black fly and midge larvae at sites downstream than in those upstream.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document