Experimental Study of the Impacts of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) on Pond Community Structure

We examined community impacts of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a summer experimental pond study of factorial design with four treatment combinations (fishless, bluegill, largemouth bass, and bluegill with largemouth bass). Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Daphnia pulicaria, Chaoborus sp., Volvox sp., anisopteran and zygopteran nymphs, and dissolved oxygen levels were suppressed in the presence of bluegill. Diaptomus sp., Conochiloides sp., Cyclotellas sp., Navicula sp., Oocystis sp., Anabaena sp., Ceratium sp., algal fluorescence, turbidity, 5- to 12.7-μm particles, and total phosphorus and total nitrogen were enhanced in the presence of bluegill. Daphnia pulicaria was enhanced and Cyclotella sp. and Oocystis sp. were suppressed in the presence of largemouth bass. Although the effects of the two fish were not independent, as indicated by significant bluegill × largemouth bass interactions for some plankton taxa, we found little evidence of bluegill impacts being reversed by largemouth bass. While total bluegill biomass was reduced and bluegill biomass distributions were shifted toward larger individuals, bluegill remained abundant in the presence of largemouth bass.

Download Full-text

Prey handling time in two piscivores, Esox americanus vermiculatus and Micropterus salmoides, with contrasting mouth morphologies

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z88-079 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 540-542 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

James A. Hoyle ◽

Allen Keast

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Body Weight ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Lepomis Macrochirus ◽

Handling Time ◽

Maximum Size ◽

Ecological Significance ◽

Mouth Width ◽

Prey Handling

An experimental study was carried out on prey handling time (from initial seizure of prey to completion of swallowing movements) in the grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), using bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) as prey. Esox differs from the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which was studied previously, in having a more specialized dentition. It was found that for individuals of the same mouth width (20 mm), handling time was 40–80% less in Esox for bluegill prey of total length 20–50 mm. Further, "optimal" and maximum size of prey consumed were 56 and 46% larger, respectively, for the esocid. The results are also related to body weight and age in Esox and Micropterus and the ecological significance of the findings is discussed.

Download Full-text

Effect of the Human Utilization of Northern Snakehead (Channa argus Cantor, 1842) on the Settlement of Exotic Fish and Cladoceran Community Structure

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13052486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 2486

Author(s):

Jong-Yun Choi ◽

Seong-Ki Kim

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Fish Species ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Lepomis Macrochirus ◽

Nakdong River ◽

Exotic Fish ◽

Carnivorous Fish ◽

Channa Argus ◽

The Nakdong River ◽

Exotic Fish Species

Empirical studies suggest that changes in the density of top predators, such as carnivorous fish, in freshwater food webs, strongly affect not only fish communities but also various primary and secondary consumers. Based on these findings, we explored how differences in the utilization of carnivorous fish (i.e., Northern Snakehead, Channa argus) by humans affected the fish and cladoceran community structure as well as the settlement of exotic fish species (i.e., Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides) in 30 wetlands located in the upper and lower reaches of the Nakdong River. Our results show that in the mid–lower reaches of the Nakdong River, the density of C. argus was low, while high densities of L. macrochirus and M. salmoides were observed. Exotic fish species are frequently consumed by C. argus, leading to a low density of L. macrochirus and M. salmoides in the upper reaches, which supported a high density of C. argus. However, in the mid–lower reaches, the density of L. macrochirus was high because of the frequent collection of C. argus by fishing activities. The dominance of L. macrochirus significantly changed the structure of cladoceran communities. L. macrochirus mainly feeds on pelagic species, increasing the density of epiphytic species in the mid–lower reaches. The continued utilization of C. argus by humans induced a stable settlement of exotic fish species and strongly affected the community structures of primary consumers in the 30 wetlands. The frequency of C. argus collection has to be reduced to secure biodiversity in the mid–lower reaches of the Nakdong River, which will reduce the proportion of exotic fish species and increase the conservation of native fish.

Download Full-text

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas ◽

10.47886/9781888569728.ch17 ◽

2005 ◽

Keyword(s):

Relative Abundance ◽

Mississippi River ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Lepomis Macrochirus ◽

Large River ◽

Frequency Of Occurrence ◽

Abundance And Distribution

Abstract.—An investigation of historical fisheries information for pools 4–13 of the upper Mississippi River (UMR) was conducted to 1) determine the pre-1938 relative abundance and distribution of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, 2) determine the composition and relative abundance of the preimpoundment fish assemblage, and 3) determine if a shift in frequency of occurrence and relative abundance has occurred due to impoundment.

Download Full-text

Effects of Cage Culture on Growth, Abundance, and Survival of Resident Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f78-024 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 157-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Raj V. Kilambi ◽

James C. Adams ◽

William A. Wickizer

Keyword(s):

Stomach Content ◽

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Condition Factor ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Lepomis Macrochirus ◽

Salmo Gairdneri ◽

Cage Culture ◽

Content Analyses ◽

Culture Growth

Growth, population size, and survival of resident largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were estimated before, during, and after the cage culture of Salmo gairdneri and Ictalurus punctatus. Growth in length, length–weight relationship, and condition factor were similar among the periods; however, abundance and survival of largemouth bass increased through the 3 yr of investigation. Stomach content analyses showed that the bass fed on fishes (mostly Lepomis macrochirus), crayfish, insects, and zooplankton (predominantly entomostracans). Increase in the standing crops of L. macrochirus and entomostracans during the study periods have provided forage to the increased bass population and thus resulted in greater survival of the young and adult bass of the cage culture and postcage culture periods. Key words: largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, cage culture, growth, abundance, survival

Download Full-text