scholarly journals Consequences of large temporal variability of zooplankton δ15 N for modeling fish trophic position and variation

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1404-1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake Matthews ◽  
Asit Mazumder
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Fish Trophic Position

Ecophysiological determinants of the variation in 137Cs concentrations between and within lacustrine fish populations

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 2727-2739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Sundbom ◽  
Markus Meili
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Chernobyl Fallout ◽  
Population Means ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Resource Specialization ◽  
Total Variability ◽  
Biomagnification Factors ◽  
Fish Trophic Position

One decade after the Chernobyl fallout, the variability of 137Cs activity concentrations among fish within a Swedish lake was >20-fold based on 1361 individuals from seven species collected continually during 1996–1999. Of the total variability, 64% was due to differences between species but only 7% due to temporal variation, which was 1.3-fold for the whole community and 1.3- to 2-fold for population means. Contamination increased with body size (0.6- to 6-fold) and decreased with body condition in most species (1.3-fold). Body size and time together accounted for about half of the total variation within populations. Fish 137Cs was related to differences in feeding ecology, both between and within populations. Biomagnification factors ranged from 2.4 to 5.8. Contamination was highest in piscivorous populations and individuals, intermediate in herbivores and zooplanktivores, and lowest in fish specialized in benthic invertebrates despite their association with contaminated sediments. The 137Cs variance within populations was not correlated with their niche width but moderately positively correlated with fish trophic position and strongly positively correlated with functional omnivory (diversity in prey 137Cs). We conclude that individual resource specialization is an important source of variation in 137Cs concentrations within fish populations.

Distinguishing trophic variation from seasonal and size-based isotopic (δ15N) variation of zooplankton

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake Matthews ◽  
Asit Mazumder
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Trophic Structure ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Daphnia Pulex ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Zooplankton Species ◽  
Selective Feeding ◽  
Level Variation ◽  
N Enrichment

We measured the δ15N of particulate organic matter (POM), Daphnia pulex (D), Holopedium gibberum (H), Leptodiaptomus tyrelli (LT), Epischura nevadensis (E), and Chaoborus trivittatus (C) over an annual cycle in Council Lake, a pristine, oligotrophic, fishless lake. Annual averages of the δ15N of plankton (C, LT, E > D, H > POM) matched expected differences in trophic position, but seasonal patterns differed among species. During midsummer, the δ15N of D, H, and LT increased above the δ15N of E and C, despite little temporal or spatial variation in the δ15N of POM (<41 µm). Larger size fractions of POM (41–200 µm) helped explain some of the temporal variability of zooplankton δ15N. Body size of zooplankton was correlated with δ15N for D, C, and E, which could indicate size-based, trophic-level variation; selective feeding; or physiological differences in 15N enrichment. We propose that detailed time series of δ15N for multiple zooplankton species can help determine the seasonal variability of trophic structure in zooplankton assemblages.

Predicting mercury levels in yellow perch: use of water chemistry, trophic ecology, and spatial traits

2001 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1419-1429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben K Greenfield ◽  
Thomas R Hrabik ◽  
Chris J Harvey ◽  
Stephen R Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Lake Chemistry ◽  
Fish Samples ◽  
Fish Trophic Position

Recent research suggests that wetland abundance surrounding lakes, fish trophic position, and fish community composition may influence the bioavailability of mercury (Hg) to fish. To compare the importance of these spatial and biological factors to chemical factors known to influence bioavailability, we determined the relationship between 24 lake traits and Hg concentrations in yellow perch (Perca flavescens; whole fish samples) for 43 northern Wisconsin lakes. Independent variables included biological traits such as fish trophic position and body condition, spatial traits such as lake hydrologic position and surrounding wetland abundance, and chemical traits such as pH and water color. The strongest predictor of fish Hg levels was pH (R2 = 0.42; p < 0.002). Of the biological traits measured, yellow perch body condition explained significant additional variation (final R2 = 0.54; p = 0.024). Trophic position explained limited variability and population abundance of planktivores and piscivores were not correlated to perch Hg levels. Regression tree models indicated that small lakes with greater than 6% wetland in their watershed have moderately elevated fish Hg levels. Our results indicate that within-lake chemistry and fish growth patterns are stronger correlates of Hg levels in yellow perch than spatial traits, trophic position, or fish community attributes.

Within- and among-population variation in the trophic position of a pelagic predator, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Jake Vander Zanden ◽  
Brian J Shuter ◽  
Nigel P Lester ◽  
Joseph B Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Total Variation ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Prey Fish ◽  
Fish Trophic Position

Many aquatic consumers have flexible feeding habits, and the diet and trophic position of a species can be expected to vary both within and among populations. In this study, we quantify the importance of both within- and among-population trophic variation for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) using stable isotope designations of trophic position from 13 Ontario and Quebec lakes. Lake-to-lake differences explained 78% of the total variation in lake trout trophic position. Analysis using both stable isotopes and published dietary data demonstrated that the trophic position of lake trout failed to increase appreciably as a function of animal body size. This finding was attributed to weak predator size - prey size relationships as well as to there being no relationship between prey fish trophic position and body size. The variance in trophic position of a population reflects the extent to which individuals forage as trophic specialists; however, we did not identify any one factor that was correlated with within-population trophic variation. Our finding that much of the total variation in trophic position represents among-population differences indicates that considering the average trophic position of a population does not mask substantial within-population trophic variation.

Isotopic characterization of lifetime movement by two demersal fishes from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 657 ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
JL Vecchio ◽  
JL Ostroff ◽  
EB Peebles
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Eye Lens ◽  
Outer Continental Shelf ◽  
Red Grouper ◽  
Lens Diameter ◽  
Isotopic Characterization

An understanding of lifetime trophic changes and ontogenetic habitat shifts is essential to the preservation of marine fish species. We used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) recorded within the laminar structure of fish eye lenses, reflecting both diet and location over time, to compare the lifetime trends of 2 demersal mesopredators. Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps inhabit burrows on the outer continental shelf, which results in exceptional site fidelity. Red grouper Epinephelus morio are spawned on the middle to outer continental shelf, move to the inner shelf for the juvenile period, and return offshore upon sexual maturity. Both species inhabit the eastern Gulf of Mexico, a region with a distinctive offshore-inshore gradient in background δ13C values. Within individual tilefish (n = 36), sequences of δ13C values and δ15N values had strong, positive correlations with eye-lens diameter, and strong correlations between the 2 isotopes (mean Spearman r = 0.86), reflecting an increase in trophic position with growth and little lifetime movement. In red grouper (n = 30), δ15N values positively correlated with eye-lens diameter, but correlations between δ15N and δ13C were weak (mean Spearman r = 0.29), suggesting cross-shelf ontogenetic movements. Linear mixed model results indicated strong relationships between δ15N and δ13C values in tilefish eye lenses but no convergence in the red grouper model. Collectively, these results are consistent with previously established differences in the life histories of the 2 species, demonstrating the potential utility of eye-lens isotope records, particularly for investigating the life histories of lesser-known species.

Fine-scale taxonomic and temporal variability in the energy density of invertebrate prey of juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

2020 ◽  
Vol 655 ◽  
pp. 185-198
Author(s):  
J Weil ◽  
WDP Duguid ◽  
F Juanes
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Temporal Differences ◽  
Juvenile Chinook Salmon ◽  
Juvenile Chinook

Variation in the energy content of prey can drive the diet choice, growth and ultimate survival of consumers. In Pacific salmon species, obtaining sufficient energy for rapid growth during early marine residence is hypothesized to reduce the risk of size-selective mortality. In order to determine the energetic benefit of feeding choices for individuals, accurate estimates of energy density (ED) across prey groups are required. Frequently, a single species is assumed to be representative of a larger taxonomic group or related species. Further, single-point estimates are often assumed to be representative of a group across seasons, despite temporal variability. To test the validity of these practices, we sampled zooplankton prey of juvenile Chinook salmon to investigate fine-scale taxonomic and temporal differences in ED. Using a recently developed model to estimate the ED of organisms using percent ash-free dry weight, we compared energy content of several groups that are typically grouped together in growth studies. Decapod megalopae were more energy rich than zoeae and showed family-level variability in ED. Amphipods showed significant species-level variability in ED. Temporal differences were observed, but patterns were not consistent among groups. Bioenergetic model simulations showed that growth rate of juvenile Chinook salmon was almost identical when prey ED values were calculated on a fine scale or on a taxon-averaged coarse scale. However, single-species representative calculations of prey ED yielded highly variable output in growth depending on the representative species used. These results suggest that the latter approach may yield significantly biased results.

Trophic position scales positively with body size within but not among four species of rocky reef predators

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Olson ◽  
A Frid ◽  
JBQ dos Santos ◽  
F Juanes
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Rocky Reef ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Predatory Fishes ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Interspecific Comparisons ◽  
Large Predators

Intra- and interspecifically, larger-bodied predators generally occupy higher trophic positions (TPs). With widespread declines in large predators, there is a need to understand their size-based trophic roles to predict ecosystem-level responses. In British Columbia, Canada, we examined size-based trophic interactions between predatory fishes—3 rockfish species (genus Sebastes) and lingcod Ophiodon elongatus—and their prey, converting predator δ15N signatures to TP and analyzing stomach contents. Intraspecifically, TP scaled positively with predator length and gape width, but the rates of change varied by species. Interspecifically, TP did not scale positively with the observed mean sizes or known maximum sizes of species. Lingcod TP was lower than that of yelloweye and quillback rockfishes, which were 51 and 37%, respectively, smaller than lingcod. Yellowtail rockfish had the smallest average size, yet their mean TP did not differ significantly from that of lingcod. Neither species differences in some morphometric traits known to influence body size-TP relationships nor phylogenetic history explained these results. Most prey consumed were <20% of the predator’s size, which might partially explain the lack of a size-based trophic hierarchy among species. Currently, large size classes of rockfishes are being lost due to fisheries and perhaps climate-driven changes. Our findings on intraspecific size-TP relationships indicate that fishery removals of large individuals may diminish trophic structures. Interspecific comparisons of TP suggest that, along with size, species remain an important factor in understanding trophic dynamics. In addition, smaller-bodied predator species may have significant ecological roles to be considered in ecosystem-based fisheries management.

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