Comparative energetics and the development of bioenergetics models for sympatric estuarine piscivores

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1647-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Hartman ◽  
Stephen B. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Striped Bass ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Consumption Rate ◽  
Morone Saxatilis ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Independent Model ◽  
Bioenergetics Models

Bioenergetics models for striped bass (Morone saxatilis), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) were developed from laboratory experiments on metabolism and consumption. Size-specific rates of consumption and metabolism were similar for bluefish and weakfish and higher than those for striped bass. Temperature effects on maximum consumption rate (Cmax) differed with fish size. Cmax of young fish (30 g) increased with temperature, then declined rapidly at higher temperatures; Cmax for larger fish of all three species (100–3000 g) increased rapidly to the maximum rate, but leveled off at higher (25–30 °C) temperatures. Results of Cmax experiments suggest that extrapolation of the temperature dependency of small fish to larger fish, as is commonly done, may misrepresent potential growth at higher temperatures. Independent model validation using laboratory experiments found consumption estimates (from growth) to be within −1.4 to +4.5% of known values for all species at temperatures above 19 °C; however, at 6.9°C consumption by striped bass was overestimated by 20–46%. Model estimates of growth (from consumption) were within −7.1 to +30.1% of known values in all validations. Overall, the growth physiology of the three species appeared to be related to the water temperatures encountered during estuarine residency and production.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals in Biota in Delaware Bay, NJ: Developing a Food Web Approach to Contaminants

Toxics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Joanna Burger ◽  
Nellie Tsipoura ◽  
Larry Niles ◽  
Amanda Dey ◽  
Christian Jeitner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Striped Bass ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Sublethal Effect ◽  
Delaware Bay ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Cadmium Lead

Understanding the relationship between heavy metal and selenium levels in biota and their foods is important, but often difficult to determine because animals eat a variety of organisms. Yet such information is critical to managing species populations, ecological integrity, and risk to receptors (including humans) from consumption of certain prey. We examine levels of cadmium, lead, mercury, and selenium in biota from Delaware Bay (New Jersey, USA) to begin construction of a “springtime” food web that focuses on shorebirds. Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs are one of the key components at the base of the food web, and crab spawning in spring provides a food resource supporting a massive stopover of shorebirds. Fish and other biota also forage on the crab eggs, and a complex food web leads directly to top-level predators such as bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis), both of which are consumed by egrets, eagles, ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), and humans. Metal levels in tissues were generally similar in algae, invertebrates, and small fish, and these were similar to those in blood of shorebirds (but not feathers). There was a significant direct relationship between the levels of metals in eggs of horseshoe crabs and mean metal levels in the blood of four species of shorebirds. Metal levels in shorebird feathers were higher than those in blood (except for selenium), reflecting sequestration of metals in feathers during their formation. Levels in feathers of laughing gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) were similar to those in feathers of shorebirds (except for selenium). Selenium bears special mention as levels were significantly higher in the blood of all shorebird species than in other species in the food web, and were similar to levels in their feathers. Levels of metals in bluefish and striped bass were similar or higher than those found in the blood of shorebirds (except for selenium). The mean levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in the blood and feathers of shorebirds were below any effect levels, but selenium levels in the blood and feathers of shorebirds were higher than the sublethal effect levels for birds. This is a cause for concern, and warrants further examination.

Impact of age-0 bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) predation on age-0 fishes in the Hudson River estuary: evidence for density-dependent loss of juvenile striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A Buckel ◽  
David O Conover ◽  
Nancy D Steinberg ◽  
Kim A McKown
Keyword(s):  
Striped Bass ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Morone Saxatilis ◽  
Hudson River ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Hudson River Estuary ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Density Dependent

We measured bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) weights, densities, and prey sizes during the summers of 1992 and 1993 and diets over a 4-year period (1990-1993) in the Hudson River estuary. This information was used to estimate the loss of young-of-the-year (YOY) striped bass (Morone saxatilis) resulting from YOY bluefish predation. We then compared this predation mortality with the total loss of striped bass in the system. Data from sampling surveys conducted since the mid-1970's were used to examine relationships between bluefish abundance and striped bass recruitment levels. YOY striped bass, bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), and Alosa spp. dominated YOY bluefish diets. There were ontogenetic and interannual differences in YOY bluefish diets. Bluefish avoided striped bass at low densities but selected for them at high densities, suggesting a density-dependent feeding response. In the early summer of 1993, bluefish predation accounted for 50-100% of the total estimated loss of YOY striped bass. A significant negative correlation exists between the relative magnitude of striped bass recruitment and bluefish abundance. We conclude that YOY bluefish are important predators of estuarine fish and can have a substantial impact on their recruitment.

Predatory demand and impact of striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish in the Chesapeake Bay: applications of bioenergetics models

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1667-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Harfmart ◽  
Stephen B. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Chesapeake Bay ◽  
Striped Bass ◽  
Atlantic Menhaden ◽  
Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽  
Brevoortia Tyrannus ◽  
Annual Biomass ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Trophic Linkages ◽  
Bioenergetics Models

We applied bioenergetics models for dominant Chesapeake Bay piscivores, striped bass (Morone saxatilis), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), along with site-specific data on diets, growth, and energy density, to examine trophic linkages and the relationship of predatory demand to prey supply. Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) accounted for 65–99% of the annual biomass of piscivore diets (excluding age-0 striped bass that ate mostly invertebrates). The diets of young piscivores were dominated by anchovy, but menhaden and spot became increasingly important to older fish. Young (age < 2) striped bass ate mostly benthic prey. Older striped bass fed increasingly on pelagic sources, primarily menhaden, but bluefish and weakfish increased benthic resource use from 10% at age 0 to 50% by age 2. Comparison of consumption (supply) to demand (potential consumption) measured the suitability of Chesapeake Bay for predator production. Bluefish came closest to achieving their demand for prey, suggesting that they are more successful predators than either striped bass or weakfish. Results suggest that Chesapeake Bay may be a better nursery than production area for older fish, and prey supply (not temperature) may account for the movements and use of the estuary by older piscivores.

Swimming Energetics of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) and Bluefish (Pomatomus Saltatrix): Gill Ventilation and Swimming Metabolism

1979 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-230
Author(s):  
M. A. FREADMAN
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Striped Bass ◽  
Morone Saxatilis ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Metabolic Characteristics ◽  
Body Drag ◽  
Gill Ventilation ◽  
Mode Energy

1. Striped bass and bluefish use cyclic ventilatory movements to accomplish gas exchange at rest and slow swimming speeds, whereas at intermediate and high velocities, both species routinely shift to ram gill ventilation. 2. Metabolic characteristics of the shift in respiratory behaviour indicate that as an animal adopts the ram mode, energy expenditure departs from an exponential relationship and increases at a shallow rate over the next 15 cm. S−1 range in speed. At higher, ram-supporting velocities, oxygen uptake increases once again at an exponential rate. 3. Similar determinations of oxygen uptake at imposed swimming velocities in hatchery-raised rainbow trout reveal an exponential relationship over the entire swimming range. Trout actively ventilate their gills over this velocity range as well. 4. In striped bass, the requisite trans-gill pressure for ram ventilation, as developed between the mouth and opercular door margins, is about 05 cm H2O. 5. Critical swimming velocities for striped bass are 2.9–3.3 bl.s−1 while bluefish can maintain station at 4.0–4.6 bl.S−1. 6. The adoption of ram gill ventilation is a velocity-dependent phenomenon over the size-range tested. 7. Transfer of the work load of ventilation from the branchial to the swimming musculature results in substantial metabolic savings well within the cruising ranges of striped bass and bluefish. The savings probably accrue from cessation of rhythmic pumping by the branchial musculature and a change in overall body drag at ram-supporting swimming speeds.

Emamectin benzoate is a safe and effective anthelmintic against coelomic nematode Philometra rubra in striped bass Morone saxatilis

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
K Béland ◽  
G Séguin ◽  
S Lair
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Striped Bass ◽  
High Mortality ◽  
Morone Saxatilis ◽  
Treatment Results ◽  
Emamectin Benzoate ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Fish Hatchery ◽  
Parasitic Burden

An unusually high mortality rate due to verminous (Philometra rubra) coelomitis was documented in wild-hatched striped bass Morone saxatilis raised in a fish hatchery as part of a stock restoration program. To decrease the parasitic burden and therefore potentially minimize mortality, the effectiveness of 2 different anthelmintics was evaluated. Two trials were conducted on wild-collected fingerlings naturally infected by P. rubra. In 2006, 144 yearling fish were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups: (1) levamisole (Levasol®) at 2 mg l-1 via immersion for 8 h once weekly for 3 wk; (2) levamisole at a dose of 2.5 mg kg-1 biomass via feed once daily for 7 d; (3) emamectin benzoate (Slice®) at a dose of 0.05 mg kg-1 biomass via feed once daily for 7 d; and (4) control. Emamectin successfully eliminated live nematodes in 84.9% of the fish, whereas the administration of levamisole, either via immersion or feed, was not successful in significantly reducing the number of live P. rubra. In 2007, the administration of the same dosage of emamectin to approximately 1000 naturally infected yearling striped bass was associated with a 100% mortality rate of P. rubra in the 30 fish randomly examined 5 wk after the beginning of the treatment. Results of these trials indicate that, at the dosage used, the administration of emamectin at the end of the summer is safe for striped bass yearlings and considerably reduces the prevalence and intensity of the infection by this parasite.

Feeding ecology of early life stages of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) along an estuarine salinity-turbidity gradient, St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Vanalderweireldt ◽  
P Sirois ◽  
M Mingelbier ◽  
G Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Striped Bass ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Morone Saxatilis ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Feeding Niche

Abstract After being extirpated from the St. Lawrence River in the 1960s, striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were reintroduced to the estuary in 2002 and by 2008, they were naturally reproducing. To document the habitat use and feeding ecology of this reintroduced population, we examined the gut contents of 333 larvae and juveniles. Samples were collected in four estuarine habitats in 2014: the upstream freshwater section (UP), the oligohaline (O-ETM) and the mesohaline (M-ETM) estuarine turbidity maximum zones, and the downstream polyhaline section (DOWN). In June, pelagic larvae developed in the UP and the O-ETM, feeding mainly on copepods such as Eurytemora affinis. The O-ETM exhibited better suitable feeding conditions compared to the UP, likely due to the presence of Bosmina sp. as a primary prey. After July, striped bass shifted to larger prey items, consuming mainly dipteran pupa in upstream littoral habitats and gammarids and mysids in downstream habitats. In the early summer, the UP provided a high-quality nursery habitat and as the season progressed, the smallest juveniles dispersed downstream and improved their feeding success by exploiting a new feeding niche. This observation suggests that being distributed throughout the estuary may increase the potential survival of striped bass early life stages.

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