scholarly journals Elucidating patterns of size-dependent predation on larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Michigan: an experimental and modeling approach

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S Fulford ◽  
James A Rice ◽  
Thomas J Miller ◽  
Fred P Binkowski
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Larval Phase ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Recruitment Failure ◽  
Productive Systems

Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Michigan have experienced sustained recruitment failure since 1990 as a result of increased mortality during the pelagic larval phase. Increased mortality of larval yellow perch has been tied indirectly to increased alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) predation, but effects of predation on larval survival variability must be better understood. We compared the relative importance of predation by alewife and two other fish predators to larval survival in laboratory experiments and developed an individual-based predation model (IBM) to examine patterns in size-dependent predation vulnerability. Simulations exposing larval perch to predation by all predators suggest that larval mortality resulting from alewife predation is more size-dependent than mortality resulting from the other two predators, and the range of sizes vulnerable to alewife is smaller. Alewife predation may not be an important mortality source for larval yellow perch in Lake Michigan at present because of the narrow range of vulnerable sizes and low densities of larval perch in the open lake. Predation is more likely to be important in smaller, more productive systems where other predators are abundant. Modeling results also indicate IBM analysis of date of hatch distributions of surviving larvae is a valuable tool for identifying factors most important to larval survival.

scholarly journals Dynamics of the Lake Michigan food web, 1970–2000

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 736-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles P Madenjian ◽  
Gary L Fahnenstiel ◽  
Thomas H Johengen ◽  
Thomas F Nalepa ◽  
Henry A Vanderploeg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis

Herein, we document changes in the Lake Michigan food web between 1970 and 2000 and identify the factors responsible for these changes. Control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) populations in Lake Michigan, beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, had profound effects on the food web. Recoveries of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and burbot (Lota lota) populations, as well as the buildup of salmonine populations, were attributable, at least in part, to sea lamprey control. Based on our analyses, predation by salmonines was primarily responsible for the reduction in alewife abundance during the 1970s and early 1980s. In turn, the decrease in alewife abundance likely contributed to recoveries of deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsoni), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and burbot populations during the 1970s and 1980s. Decrease in the abundance of all three dominant benthic macroinvertebrate groups, including Diporeia, oligochaetes, and sphaeriids, during the 1980s in nearshore waters ([Formula: see text]50 m deep) of Lake Michigan, was attributable to a decrease in primary production linked to a decline in phosphorus loadings. Continued decrease in Diporeia abundance during the 1990s was associated with the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion, but specific mechanisms for zebra mussels affecting Diporeia abundance remain unidentified.

Complementarity in the Use of Food and Thermal Habitat by Lake Michigan Fishes

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry B. Crowder ◽  
John J. Magnuson ◽  
Stephen B. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Thermal Habitat ◽  
Young Of The Year

The potential for ecological segregation of Lake Michigan fishes was examined by comparing diets and thermal habitat use of common species. Samples were collected by bottom trawling (N = 68) off Grand Haven, Michigan, September 7–13, 1977. Five common species exhibited complementarity in the use of food and thermal habitat resources. During the day, adult alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) had similar diets but occupied somewhat different thermal habitats. Young-of-the-year (YOY) alewives segregated from adult alewife and rainbow smelt on both habitat and food. Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), YOY alewives, and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) used similar thermal habitats but fed on different prey. Trout-perch (Percopsis osmiscomaycus) tended to segregate from the others based on both food and thermal habitat but may experience diffuse competition. Adults of the three native species consume entirely different prey than exotic alewife and rainbow smelt. The native species which declined during the invasion of alewife and rainbow smelt were those with apparently similar habitat and food requirements to the exotics. These data suggest that competition is important in maintaining the structure of the Lake Michigan fish community.Key words: competition, fishes, food, habitat, Lake Michigan, predation, temperature

Changes in Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Populations of Lake Michigan, 1954–75

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1821-1829 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaRue Wells
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Exploitation Competition ◽  
Sport Fishery ◽  
High Production

In the early and mid-1960s the abundance of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Michigan declined abruptly. The decline began in the northern part of the lake and spread progressively southward. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the nonnative alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), by interfering with perch reproduction, was the primary cause of the decline. The alewife was first reported in northeastern Lake Michigan in 1949, and had become extremely abundant throughout the lake before an enormous die-off in 1967 reduced its numbers by an estimated 70%. An intensive fishery hastened the decline of perch. In most areas the decline was immediately preceded by a period of conspicuously high commercial production. This high production appears to have been related in part to increased growth rates of perch resulting from much lower density of younger fish. A sport fishery for perch in shallow water collapsed a few years before the species declined in abundance. The most logical explanation is that heavy concentrations of alewives physically displaced the perch from nearshore areas. Although perch populations increased in some areas in the 1970s, a full recovery is unlikely unless alewife numbers are further reduced. Key words: Percidae, Lake Michigan, Perca, population dynamics, exploitation, competition

scholarly journals Foraging selectivity by larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens): implications for understanding recruitment in small and large lakes

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S Fulford ◽  
James A Rice ◽  
Thomas J Miller ◽  
Fred P Binkowski ◽  
John M Dettmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Large Lakes ◽  
Prey Composition ◽  
Foraging Decisions ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Relative Selectivity

Growth and survivorship of larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) have been examined in many systems but can conclusions from well-studied perch populations in smaller lakes be applied to populations in meso-oceanic systems like Lake Michigan, USA? Laboratory experiments were conducted with yellow perch (hatch to 35 mm total length) to develop an empirical selectivity function based on Chesson's α to describe larval diet as a function of changes in prey community composition. This function was used in an individual-based foraging and growth model (IBM) to describe changes in foraging decisions resulting from changes in prey composition between different systems. Larval perch made three selective transitions during ontogeny. Initial positive selection for rotifers and the relative selectivity for cladocerans vs. copepods in late-stage larvae were both dependent on prey composition. Larvae exposed to prey assemblages differing only in composition had different diets. The empirically based IBM accurately predicted these dietary differences and resulting differences in larval growth and likelihood of starvation between systems at equal prey density. The importance of feeding behavior to larval survival will differ between Lake Michigan and smaller lakes, and these results are important for comparisons of recruitment dynamics between large and small systems.

Understanding Recruitment of Lake Michigan Fishes: The Importance of Size-Based Interactions Between Fish and Zoopiankton

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. s141-s147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry B. Crowder ◽  
Michael E. McDonald ◽  
James A. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Rate Dependent ◽  
Zooplankton Size ◽  
Predation Mortality ◽  
The 1960S

Mechanisms controlling recruitment of fishes appear to be strongly size dependent. It is now established that size-selective predators can dramatically reduce zooplankton size, but little is known about the effects of zooplankton size on growth and recruitment of fish through the post-larval stage. As fish grow, their optimal prey size increases; if large zooplankton are uncommon, growth rates may be reduced, prolonging vulnerability to predation or other size-dependent mortality sources and thus reducing recruitment. Most Lake Michigan fishes, including offshore species such as bloater (Coregonus hoyi) and nearshore species such as yellow perch (Perca flavescens), shift from feeding on zooplankton in their early years to feeding on benthic prey or to piscivory. Predation mortality on many larval and juvenile fishes including bloater and yellow perch has been shown to be size or growth rate dependent. As alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) increased in abundance in Lake Michigan in the 1960s, large zooplankton declined and both bloater and perch recruitment was poor. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, alewife declined, large zooplankton increased, and strong year classes of bloater and perch were formed. Based on these dynamics and recent research on resource use, foraging behavior, and recruitment dynamics of larval and juvenile fishes, we suggest two hypotheses. First, young-of-year and juvenile pelagic fishes may have the major size-structuring effects on epilimnial zooplankton in Lake Michigan. And second, if large zooplankton are uncommon, as they were in Lake Michigan in the 1960s, growth rates and recruitment of native fishes will be reduced. Size-based interactions between fish and zooplankton appear to have important implications for growth and recruitment success of fishes.

scholarly journals Maternal effects as a recruitment mechanism in Lake Michigan yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

2001 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1477-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J Heyer ◽  
Thomas J Miller ◽  
Fred P Binkowski ◽  
Elaine M Caldarone ◽  
James A Rice
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Larval Traits

Changes that occurred in the distribution of adult Lake Michigan yellow perch (Perca flavescens) phenotypic traits suggest that maternal effects on larval traits may be substantially influencing the recruitment of this heavily exploited species. We investigated maternal effects on yellow perch larvae at hatching in 10 maternal lines to test the null hypothesis of no effect of maternal phenotype on offspring phenotype and condition. Analyses lead to a rejection of the null hypothesis and indicated that the observed maternal effects likely resulted from differences among females in size, age, gonadosomatic index, and egg production. The observed maternal effects were expressed in the offspring by differences in larval total length, yolk volume, dry weight, and DNA quantity. Older, larger females were found to have high fecundity, yet low gonadosomatic index. Furthermore, older, larger females produced offspring that were, on average, short with large yolk sacs and high quantities of body reserves, as measured by dry weight and total DNA content. We conclude that the distribution of Lake Michigan yellow perch larval traits at hatching is linked to maternal influences and that this linkage may provide a mechanism through which managers can help rebuild the population.

scholarly journals Size-dependent foraging niches of European Perch Perca fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) and North American Yellow Perch Perca flavescens (Mitchill, 1814)

2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Linzmaier ◽  
Laura A. Twardochleb ◽  
Julian D. Olden ◽  
Thomas Mehner ◽  
Robert Arlinghaus
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Perca Fluviatilis ◽  
European Perch ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Perch Perca Fluviatilis

Effects of Intensified Fishing, Species Changes, and Spring Water Temperatures on Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens, in Saginaw Bay

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1830-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Eshenroder
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Spring Temperature ◽  
Saginaw Bay ◽  
Size Limit ◽  
History Of

A combination of intensified effort and size limit removal in the mid-1960s resulted in exceptional landings of yellow perch, Perca flavescens, from Saginaw Bay. Though gillnet effort increased from insignificance to account for more than half of the annual catch, gillnet catch per unit of effort (CPE) did not decline during the period of intensified fishing (1964–71) despite severe depletion on some grounds. Trapnet landings and CPE peaked in 1966, when the size limit was removed, but by the early 1970s both statistics were only one-third of the 1966 peaks. A fishing-up sequence began in outer Saginaw Bay and the stocks there were depleted. The fishery then shifted to the inner bay, where the stocks also declined, but to a lesser degree. With intensification of the fishery yellow perch growth rate increased, age-groups V–VII were no longer prominent in the catch and females became relatively scarce shortly after attaining vulnerability. The low recruitment of the late 1960s and early 1970s may have been related to the reduced brood stocks.Within the past 35 yr those changes in the fish community which appeared to affect yellow perch most included loss of the walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, in the 1940s and proliferation of smelt, Osmerus mordax, and alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, in the 1950s. However, these changes occurred well before the late 1960s, and were probably not involved in the recent yellow perch decline.A comparison of the rate and regularity of the spring warming with the strengths of the strongest and weakest year-classes for the years 1957–75 suggested that spring temperature had an important role in reproductive success. Key words: Percidae, Perca, yellow perch, exploitation, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, water temperature, fish community, population trends, history of fishery, Great Lakes

Cyclopoid Predation on Lake Michigan Fish Larvae

1982 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1563-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Hartig ◽  
David J. Jude ◽  
Marlene S. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Fish Larvae ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Diacyclops Thomasi ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Cyclopoid predation on fish larvae, as evidenced by copepods attached to larvae in field collections, was quantitatively investigated during 1975–76 in southeastern Lake Michigan. Although six species of fish larvae were collected, predation occurred primarily (98%) on alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus); 2% of the predators were attached to spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) larvae. No cyclopoids were observed on rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), or sculpin (Cottus spp.) larvae. Most alewife larvae attacked were 3–8 mm long; older larvae and larvae of more robust species, such as yellow perch and spottail shiner, are apparently immune to such predation. Most predation (99%) occurred in July when alewife larvae were numerous and cyclopoids abundant. Fish larvae with attached copepods were found only in night collections. Most cyclopoid predators (99%) were adult female Diacyclops thomasi and Acanthocyclops vernalis. Other predaceous species of zooplankton, that occurred in close temporal and spatial proximity to fish larvae, apparently were not predaceous on these organisms.Key words: Alosa pseudoharengus larvae, Notropis hudsonius larvae, Diacyclops thomasi, Acanthocyclops vernalis, cyclopoid predation, Lake Michigan

Recent Changes in Lake Michigan's Fish Community and Their Probable Causes, With Emphasis on the Role of the Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. s53-s60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Eck ◽  
Larue Wells
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pink Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Gorbuscha ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Poor Recruitment ◽  
Emerald Shiner

Major changes in fish populations occurred in Lake Michigan between the early 1970s and 1984. The abundance of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and several nonnative species of salmonines increased greatly as a result of intensive stocking. The exotic alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), which had proliferated to extremely high levels of abundance in the mid-1960s, declined, particularly in the early 1980s. We believe that the sharp decline in alewives in the 1980s was caused primarily by poor recruitment during the colder than normal years of 1976–82. Several of Lake Michigan's endemic species of fish appeared to be adversely affected by alewives: bloater (Coregonus hoyi), lake herring (C. artedii), emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsoni), and possibly spoonhead sculpin (Cottus ricei). All declined when alewives were abundant, and those that did not become rare, i.e. the bloater, perch, and deepwater sculpin recovered when alewives declined. We present evidence suggesting that the mechanism by which alewives affect native species is not by competition for food, as has often been hypothesized, and discuss the possibility that it is predation on early life stages. Despite the decreased availability of alewives in the early 1980s, salmonines continued to eat mainly alewives. The highly abundant alternate prey species were eaten only sparingly, but alewives still may have been abundant enough to meet the forage requirements of salmonines. Two new exotics, the pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), increased in abundance in the 1980s, and could become detrimental (particularly the salmon) to other species.

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