Body and Fin Form and Strike Tactics of Four Teleost Predators Attacking Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Prey

1984 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Response Threshold ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
Rock Bass

Experiments with teleosts attacking fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) prey showed that piscivore locomotor tactics vary with body/fin morphology. Predators were tiger musky (Esox sp.), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) representing several morphological series from more flexible to more rigid bodies, elongate to gibbose bodies, soft-rayed to acanthopterygian median/paired fin patterns, and more to less myotomal muscle. Two predicted optimal tactics were common to the four predators: (1) strike at the prey center of mass and (2) strike prey from the side. Other tactics varied among the predators. Tiger musky always used S-start fast-starts, rainbow trout used steady swimming with body/caudal fin movements, and smallmouth and rock bass used steady swimming with body/caudal fin movements for closer prey and started attacks on distant prey with pectoral propulsion. Tiger musky overshot prey, this being prevented by the use of paired fins as brakes in the two centrarchids. Rainbow trout regularly chased prey, but effective braking coupled with suction feeding appeared to make chases less necessary for smallmouth and rock bass. Speeds in strikes increased according to rock bass < smallmouth bass < rainbow trout < tiger musky consistent with expectations based on morphology. Each species used attack speeds likely to minimize closure times, which is the general optimal strategy for interceptors. Tiger musky attacked at maximum speeds but rainbow trout and smallmouth and rock bass attacked at speeds very much lower than their maximum potential. The prey has a low response threshold for these three species compared with tiger musky when high speeds and associated large prey reaction distances would increase closure times.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Binary Mixtures of Cyanide and Hexavalent Chromium, Zinc, or Ammonia to the Fathead Minnow(Pimephales Promelas) And Rainbow Trout (Salmo Gairdneri)

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Broderius ◽  
Lloyd L. Smith Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Joint Action ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Sublethal Effects ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Using Data

Various models have been proposed to predict the combined interactive effect on fish of mixtures of poisons from separate toxicities of individual substances. The success of these models was tested, using data describing the lethal and sublethal effects of individual substances or binary mixtures of HCN and Cr(VI), Zn(II), or ammonia to the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Using the strictly additive toxic unit and additive index approach, it was determined from log-dosage mortality curves that the Zn–HCN and ammonia–HCN mixtures were more acutely toxic and Cr–HCN less toxic than predicted. The concentration and response addition models, which have been proposed for toxicants whose joint action is similar or independent, respectively, could not be used to predict dosage–mortality curves for the HCN mixtures. Linear regression lines representing the growth response of fish to log concentration for toxicants alone and in binary combinations were not significantly different. Thus, for the toxic substances tested, the sublethal joint action of individual toxicants was not predictable from existing models and, in most cases, no interaction was indicated. The interactive nature of toxicants may be a function of the concentrations tested causing different biological processes to be affected (e.g. mortality vs. growth), and therefore different responses to be measured. A need still exists for development of a valid multiple toxicity approach for evaluating and predicting the toxicity of chemical combinations. Key words: multiple toxicity, binary mixtures, joint action, fish, bioassay, toxic substances

Biological and Toxicologtcal Effects of Environmental Contaminants in Fish and Their Eggs

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Niimi
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
White Bass ◽  
Morone Chrysops ◽  
Contaminant Transfer

Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), white bass (Morone chrysops), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were collected from Lakes Ontario and Erie to examine the relationship between contaminant levels in females and their eggs. Factors such as the percent lipid in the fish and percent of total lipid deposited in the eggs significantly influenced (P < 0.01) contaminant transfer. The percentages of the 9–11 organic contaminants transferred generally showed less variation within a species than the percentages for a substance transferred among the five species examined. This relationship was consistent even though there was over a 10-fold range in contaminant concentrations within a given species. Mercury did not demonstrate this response because the percentage in eggs was low for all species. The levels of PCB monitored in eggs of rainbow trout collected from Lake Ontario suggest that egg and fry survival rates could be affected based on the toxicological evidence from other studies. An examination of the possible effects of spawning on the kinetics of contaminants among these species suggests that relative body concentrations of organic contaminants may be decreased by 5% or be increased by 10%, and mercury levels may be increased by 6–22% following the deposition of eggs. The amount of change varies with species and is influenced by the percent egg weight of body weight, and the rate of contaminant transfer from females to eggs.Key words: toxicology, contaminants, reproduction, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie

Toxicological mechanisms of a multicomponent agricultural seed protectant in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1387-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W Greene ◽  
Richard M Kocan
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Alcohol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Sublethal Concentration ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss

Ethylene glycol (EG) and thiram, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, are components of the seed protectant Vitavax-200. EG is a common solvent, thought to be nontoxic, whereas thiram, a dithiocarbamate known to be toxic to fish, is an active ingredient in Vitavax-200. When the\i toxicities of EG and thiram were investigated individually and as a mixture in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), a strong synergistic toxic effect was observed. Using a constant sublethal concentration of thiram, a 5- to 19-fold increase and a 2- to 2.4-fold increase in EG toxicity was observed in fathead minnow and rainbow trout, respectively. The toxicity of EG following pretreatment of rainbow trout with pyrazole, an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, was decreased by 22% whereas pretreatment with cyanamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, increased toxicity 3.4-fold. The results indicate that thiram inhibits the complete metabolism of EG, resulting in the buildup of a toxic aldehyde intermediate and increasing the toxicity of EG.

Effect of Body Form and Response Threshold on the Vulnerability of Four Species of Teleost Prey Attacked by Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Response Threshold ◽  
Body Depth ◽  
Prey Escape ◽  
Response Thresholds

Experiments were performed using four prey species (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, and tiger musky, Esox sp.) with various body and fin forms attacked by largemouth bass predators to determine how body and fin morphology, performance, and response thresholds influenced prey vulnerability. Prey differed in three factors that could affect the outcome of predator–prey interactions: body depth, the presence of spiny rays, and locomotor performance capability. Captures were only successful for strikes near the center of mass. The presence of spines was not shown to substantially affect predator strike targets on prey, but large body depth misdirected strikes from the center of mass area and increased the probability of prey escaping. Prey escape speeds were variable and not maximum. Acceleration rates in the startle response varied among the prey species. Tiger musky had the highest acceleration rates (11.7–12.2 m∙s−2). Acceleration rates decreased for the other prey in the order bluegill, largemouth bass, and fathead minnow. Predators attacking prey with higher acceleration performance were more likely to abort attacks and less likely to chase prey. Prey response thresholds were defined as the rate of change of the angle subtended by the predator as viewed by the prey at the start of the prey's motor response. This looming threshold varied among the species tested, and predators were more likely to abort attacks on prey with low thresholds. Low prey response thresholds correlated with high acceleration rates. The basis for multiple, rather than complementing, adaptations facilitating prey escape is not known, but may be related to risks and benefits during foraging by fish with different diets.

Toxicity of Trace Metal Mixtures to Alevin Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Larval Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) in Soft, Acidic Water

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1348-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Hickie ◽  
N. J. Hutchinson ◽  
D. G. Dixon ◽  
P. V. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Mixture Toxicity ◽  
Acidic Water ◽  
Metal Mixtures ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Acid Tolerant

The acute lethality of a fixed-ratio mixture of Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Pb (75:60:60:12:12:6:6 μg∙L−1 = 1.0 acid lake concentration or ALC, representative of Ontario lakes acidified to pH 5.8) was examined with alevin rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and larval fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). All testing was done in extremely soft, acidic water (2.5 mg Ca∙L−1; pH 4.6–5.8). For the acid-tolerant trout alevins (144-h LC50 = pH 4.32), median lethal metal mixture levels at pH 5.8 were 5.0 ALC. Toxicity of the mixture increased at lower pHs, with a median lethal threshold of 1.0 ALC at pH 4.9. A mixture of Al, Zn, and Cu was equivalent in toxicity to the full mixture; mixture toxicity was caused by Cu alone at pH 5.8 and by Al alone at pH 4.9. For the acid-sensitive fathead minnow larvae (144-h LC50 = pH 5.54), the mixture of metals typical of lakes acidified to pH 5.8 was lethal (LC50 = 0.84 ALC); again, toxicity was associated with Al, Cu, and Zn. This research implies that Cu could be an important factor contributing to the demise of acid-sensitive fish at pHs above those associated with increased Al solubility and toxicity.

Vulnerability of Some Fishes to Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Predation

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 957-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilbur L. Mauck ◽  
Daniel W. Coble
Keyword(s):  
Ictalurus Punctatus ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Northern Pike ◽  
Esox Lucius ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Pike Esox Lucius ◽  
Golden Shiner

To compare vulnerability to predation by northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus), several species of fish in various combinations were held with pike in plastic swimming pools with and without cover and in small ponds. The most vulnerable species in order were gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), carp (Cyprinus carpio), bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui). White sucker (Catostomus commersoni), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) showed intermediate vulnerability. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), northern pike, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and black bullhead (Ictalurus melas) were least vulnerable. In two experiments in which fish were put in cages in turbid water, relative vulnerability was the same as in clearer water. Pike could not be conditioned to eat golden shiner or bluegill. There was a tendency for certain sizes of pike to select the smaller carp, fathead minnow, and bluegill within the size ranges tested.

Comparison of intermittent and continuous exposure to mercuric chloride in rainbow trout (Oncothynchus mykiss), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and the fathead minnow (Pimephales ptomelas)

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Handy
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Mercuric Chloride ◽  
Exposure Duration ◽  
Carassius Auratus ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Exposed Fish ◽  
Goldfish Carassius Auratus ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) were exposed continuously or intermittently (24-h exposure: 24-h recovery) to a nominal peak concentration of 3 μg∙L−1 mercuric chloride for 120 h. There were no differences in the target organs or the distribution of the toxicant within internal organs between the two exposure regimes. Mercury concentrations in the tissues of intermittently exposed fish were less than those of continuously exposed fish. The lower mercury concentrations in the intermittently exposed groups arose from reduced or negligible accumulation during recovery periods rather than mercury excretion. The accumulation of mercury during intermittent exposure is roughly proportional to the exposure duration, and could therefore be predicted from a continuous exposure of equivalent total exposure duration. This proportionality exists when (1) peak concentrations of mercury are the same in both regimes, and (2) the recovery periods are short compared with the biological half-life for mercury.

Effects of Median-Fin Amputation on Fast-Start Performance of Rainbow Trout (Salmo Gairdneri)

1977 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. WEBB
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Ventral Lobe ◽  
Dorsal Lobe ◽  
Progressive Reduction ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
Lateral Body ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Fast Start ◽  
Major Variation

Fast-start performance of eight groups of rainbow trout with various finrays removed was measured to test the hydromechanical theory (Weihs, 1973) that large fins are required for acceleration. A trend towards decreasing performance was found for the following sequence of fin-ray amputations: control (pelvic rays amputated); dorsal fin; anal fin; dorsal lobe of caudal fin and ventral lobe of caudal fin; ventral lobe of caudal fin and anal fin; dorsal and ventral lobes of caudal fin; both caudal-fin lobes and anal fin. The series represents progressive reduction in fin and body area, as well as reduction in these areas where lateral movements are largest. Effects of fin amputation on performance were statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05) in comparison with controls only for the last three groups lacking the caudal fin. The results confirm the hydromechanical theory, and lead to the conclusion that mechanically optimum lateral body profiles for faststart and for steady (cruising and sprint) performance are mutually exclusive. This mechanical restriction can be circumvented only in bony fish, with the evolution of flexible, collapsible fins that permit major variation in lateral body profile.

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