Evaluation of competition between age-0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) in Oneida Lake, New York

We used long-term data on Oneida Lake, New York, to evaluate hypotheses about the effects of introduced zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on yellow perch (Perca flavescens). We detected no change in survival, diet, or numbers of young-of-the-year (YOY) yellow perch. YOY growth increased in association with zebra mussel introduction and was marginally correlated with zooplankton size, which increased after zebra mussel introduction. Low numbers of YOY in recent years did not explain their increased growth rate. The percentage of age 3 and older yellow perch that consumed zooplankton and benthos increased after zebra mussel introduction. Water clarity, which has increased since zebra mussel introduction, was inversely related to the percentage of the adult population with empty stomachs and positively related to the percentage that consumed benthos. The percentage of adult yellow perch that consumed zooplankton was positively related to zooplankton size. Despite the increase in percentage of adults consuming both types of invertebrate prey, we detected no changes in adult growth associated with zebra mussel introduction. This suggests that the principal effects of zebra mussels on yellow perch in Oneida Lake were not via benthic pathways but through modifications of water clarity and zooplankton. Thus far, these effects have not been negative for the yellow perch population.

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Effect of High Winds on Eggs of Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens, in Oneida Lake, New York

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society ◽

10.1577/1548-8659(1975)104<524:eohwoe>2.0.co;2 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 524-525 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Michael Clady ◽

Brendan Hutchinson

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

High Winds

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Effect of Zooplankton Abundance and Body Size on Growth of Age-0 Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York, 1975–86

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f89-113 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 46 (5) ◽

pp. 880-886 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Edward L. Mills ◽

Ruth Sherman ◽

Douglas S. Robson

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Size Structure ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Zooplankton Abundance ◽

Data Set ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

Taxonomic Groups

We examined an 11-yr (1975–86) field data set to determine whether annual differences in age-0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) growth in weight were related to the abundance, size structure, and species composition of zooplankton in Oneida Lake, New York. A model for prediction of age-0 yellow perch weight was determined using a multiple regression technique; age-0 yellow perch wet weight (grams) was the dependent variable while age-0 yellow perch density, water temperature, calendar day, and cumulative biomass of both zooplankton taxonomic groups (daphnids, "other cladocerans," calanoids, cyclopoids, and nauplii) and zooplankton size classes (< 1.1 mm, 1.1–1.7 mm, and > 1.7 mm) were the independent variables. Analyses were based on an integrated approach where time was measured in cumulative temperature units and yellow perch weight was considered a function of the cumulative amount of food available. Below a cumulative temperature of 1350 °C∙d−1, none of the independent variables were related significantly (P < 0.05) to yellow perch weight. Beyond 1350 °C∙d−1 age-0 yellow perch weight was strongly correlated with the biomass of Daphnia and significant (P < 0.05) prey size variables shifted toward larger prey as fish grew. Our results indicate size- and species-based interactions between fish and zooplankton play an important role in regulating growth of age-0 fish.

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Sustained Swimming Ability of Larvae of Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f69-148 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1647-1659 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Edward D. Houde

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Current Velocity ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Yolk Sac ◽

Length Class ◽

Swimming Ability ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

Experimental Apparatus ◽

Better Than

Sustained swimming ability of limnetic larvae of walleye and yellow perch from Oneida Lake, New York, was compared in an experimental apparatus. The current velocity that 50% of the larvae could sustain in 1-hr tests was recorded for each 1-mm length class. Yellow perch larvae swam better than walleye larvae for length classes less than 9–10 mm total length (TL), but swimming ability of the two species was equal for length classes from 9 to 15 mm. Velocities that larvae under 9.5 mm TL could sustain were less than 3.0 cm/sec, and it was concluded that newly hatched young of both species would be subject to transport by lake currents of greater velocity. Relative swimming ability, expressed as the number of body lengths/sec that a larva could sustain for 1 hr, approached an asymptote between 3 and 4 lengths/sec for larvae longer than 9.5 mm. The greater swimming ability of newly hatched yellow perch larvae, compared with that of walleyes, appeared to be related to the smaller yolk sac of yellow perch at hatching.

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Ontogenetic Changes in Prey Selection and Visual Acuity of the Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f93-085 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 743-749 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Christina M. Wahl ◽

Edward L. Mills ◽

William N. McFarland ◽

Joseph S. DeGisi

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Larval Fish ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Ontogenetic Changes ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

Visual Improvement ◽

Newly Hatched Larvae

Age-0 yellow perch, Perca flavescens, shift from pelagic to demersal waters of Oneida Lake, New York, between late June to mid-July, when they reach standard lengths of 24–31 mm. The timing of this habitat shift coincides with the size range over which yellow perch achieve a degree of visual resolution that nearly equals that of adult yellow perch, from 174 min of arc in newly hatched larvae to 9–12 min in adults. This visual improvement is reflected in the yellow perch's diet, which consists of an increasingly wider range of prey sizes and types. If twin cones are counted as functionally separate photoreceptors, there is a significant improvement of the calculated visual acuity in larval fish with lenses < 1 mm in diameter but not in older fish with larger lenses. During its rapid growth phase the most optimistic calculation of visual acuity in a young yellow perch is insufficient to explain the feeding success necessary at this time. We suggest therefore that young yellow perch spend more time in search of prey than their adult counterparts.

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Effect of Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) Predation on Juvenile Mortality and Recruitment of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f80-002 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 11-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Larry A. Nielsen

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Fish Predation ◽

Frequency Of Occurrence ◽

Juvenile Mortality ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Class Strength ◽

Lines Of Evidence

The abundance of 12 year-classes of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York, was estimated at intervals between ages 0 and II from catch and area swept by trawls. Rankings of abundance of year-classes changed between the ends of the first and third growing seasons, suggesting that ultimate year-class strength was influenced strongly by mortality of age I and II fish. Predation by walleyes was probably the principal cause of mortality of age I and II perch. Although frequency of occurrence of age I and II perch in stomachs of walleyes was low, several lines of evidence suggested that density of juvenile perch also was low and that walleyes consumed a large proportion of each perch cohort. Rates of mortality were modified by perch length, perch density, and density of age 0 perch, all of which relate to intensity of walleye predation.Key words: yellow perch, walleye; mortality, predation; Oneida Lake

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Individual-based model simulations of a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) induced energy shunt on walleye(Stizostedion vitreum) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) populations in Oneida Lake, New York

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f99-133 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 56 (11) ◽

pp. 2148-2160 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Edward S Rutherford ◽

Kenneth A Rose ◽

Edward L Mills ◽

John L Forney ◽

Christine M Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Zebra Mussel ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Perca Flavescens ◽

Forage Fish ◽

Stizostedion Vitreum ◽

Individual Based Model ◽

Oneida Lake ◽

Model Predictions

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) recently invaded North American aquatic ecosystems and are hypothesized to impact lakes by increasing water clarity through filtration and shunting energy from pelagic to benthic pathways (ES effect). We used an individual-based model of Oneida Lake, New York, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) populations to simulate ES effects on percids by lowering zooplankton density and production rates and increasing benthos rates. We performed 50-year simulations involving both zooplankton and benthos changes together and each change alone. We also performed simulations to determine robustness of model predictions under different assumed levels of zooplankton and benthos, increased forage fish and mayflies, and walleye stocking. Predicted ES effects were elimination of walleye high-recruitment years, resulting in a 30% reduction in adult walleye abundance. Yellow perch adult abundance increased by 6% due to reduced walleye predation. Neither component (zooplankton or benthos) of ES generated the same total response for yellow perch as both components together. Simulated walleye stocking and increased forage fish density had little effect on model predictions. Increased mayfly densities offset predicted ES effects by buffering predation on juvenile percids. Model predictions of ES impacts on percids generally were consistent with observed changes in Oneida Lake since zebra mussel arrived.

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