Choice of feeding station in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, parr: effects of predation risk, season and life history strategy

The current speed at which underyearling salmon parr held feeding stations was examined from late summer to early winter in laboratory flume tanks that offered a choice between (a) areas with high water flow, high food availability but high predation risk and (b) areas with low flow, little food but shelter from predators. In August, those fish that would become smolts aged 1 + (and which by late winter formed the upper modal group, UMG, of the bimodal size distribution) adopted positions in faster currents than did the fish which would take a further year to reach the smolt stage (the lower modal group, LMG). However, the chosen current speed of UMG fish decreased through the period of study, so that by December all fish were found in areas of low flow, and hence little food. Both date and water temperature had independent effects on the chosen current speed of UMG fish.
The effect of predation risk was investigated using a model trout. A brief sight of this predator caused 47% of fish that had been in the main, exposed currents to move to slacker, sheltered areas; they took 1 h, on average, to return to their previous position. The fish that remained in position upon seeing the predator reduced their rate of tail beating, presumably increasing crypticity. Eventual UMG parr were less likely than were LMG fish to move away upon seeing a predator. The fish moved to faster currents than normal 2–3 h after seeing the predator, possibly compensating for the earlier reduction in feeding rate.     

Sex differences in habitat distribution of a planktonic copepod, Eudiaptomus gracilis

The spatial distribution of adult males and females in a population of the copepod Eudiaptomus grachs ; was studied throughout one year The sexes were markedly segregated in spring and under ice in late winter This skewed distribution was mainly due to a strong concentration of females in deep water in the lake centre Males were more evenly distributed but dominated in relative terms strongly over females near the surface and the littoral zone Among females, those carrying eggs were most concentrated in deep regions Also during summer, females in the lake centre showed a marked abundance peak in deep water but the distribution of egg-carrying females did not differ from other females During autumn and early winter, differences in the distribution of the sexes were minor The distribution of the sexes is discussed in relation to predators, temperature, food, and mates Female copepods are susceptible to fish predation when carrying eggs Fish may contribute to the over-representation of females in deep regions by eating or scaring away this category of vulnerable prey from littoral areas and from the surface waters The fish predation hypothesis does not accurately predict the seasonal occurrence of the skewed distribution, however Feeding rate of fish is most likely low under ice Reproductive advantages in the warmer deep water may have contributed to female choice of habitat in late winter In spring and late winter proportionally fewer females near the surface and shore carried eggs, but they earned more spermatophores This indicates that these females were more receptive to matings Phytoplankton biomass was higher near the surface Thus, males may have gamed mating advantages and more food by avoiding deep water in the centre of the lake     

Density,length distribution,and diet of age-0 arctic charrSalvelinus alpinus in the surf zone of Thingvallavatn,Iceland

Synopsis Population densities of age-0 arctic chaff in the surf zone averaged 1.83 and 4.70 fish m^-2 in August 1984 and June 1985, respectively. Length variation of the littoral fish was low in early summer, increasing in late summer and autumn. Newly emerged charr, ∼ 20 mm long, appeared in the stony shallow water zone during both May and June. From length variation and variation in mouth position of the young charr, it is concluded that at least two of the four chaff morphs in the lake are present in the surf zone during spring and summer. In August, some of the larger age-0 charr had moved out from the surf zone, into the pelagic and the deeper epibenthic waters. The food of young littoral charr was dominated by large chironomid larvae (instar 3 and 4) and pupae Contribution from the Thingvallavatn project     

Spatial and temporal separation of littoral zone fishes of Lake Geneva (Switzerland-France)

The spatial (distance from the shore) and seasonal (summer-winter) distributions of the ichtyofauna in the littoral zone of Lake Geneva were studied between October 1991 and December 1992. Gill nets were set simultaneously at three different sites of a chosen littoral zone: shore, middle and far (50, 300 and 550 m from the shore, respectively).The results show that in summer more species and individuals are present in the littoral zone than in winter. Throughout the year, species richness is greater at the shore site than at the middle or far site. In summer, total abundance is greater at the far site, whereas there are more fish at the shore site during winter. Perch (juveniles and adults), roach and gudgeon (adults only), have maximum abundance during the summer, while lake trout, grayling and whitefish (adults) have maximum abundance during the winter. For five species (adults only) the site comparison shows spatial segregation of the habitats: greater numbers of perch are present at the far site while roach, tench, lake trout and grayling prefer the shore site.     

Seasonal habitat selection by lake trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus namaycush</Emphasis>) in a small Canadian shield lake: constraints imposed by winter conditions

The need for cold, well-oxygenated waters significantly reduces the habitat available for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) during stratification of small temperate lakes. We examined the spatial and pelagic distribution of lake trout over two consecutive summers and winters and tested whether winter increased habitat availability and access to littoral regions in a boreal shield lake in which pelagic prey fish are absent. In winter, lake trout had a narrowly defined pelagic distribution that was skewed to the upper 3 m of the water column and spatially situated in the central region of the lake. Individual core areas of use (50% Kernel utilization distributions) in winter were much reduced (75%) and spatially non-overlapping compared to summer areas, but activity levels were similar between seasons. Winter habitat selection is in contrast to observations from the stratified season, when lake trout were consistently located in much deeper waters (>6 m) and widely distributed throughout the lake. Winter distribution of lake trout appeared to be strongly influenced by ambient light levels; snow depth and day length accounted for up to 69% of the variation in daily median fish depth. More restricted habitat use during winter than summer was in contrast to our original prediction and illustrates that a different suite of factors influence lake trout distribution between these seasons.     

Spatial distribution and diet of the Neotropical otter<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lontra longicaudis</Emphasis> in the Ibera Lake (northern Argentina)

The seasonal spatial distribution and diet of the Neotropical otterLontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) were studied on Ibera Lake within the Esteros del Ibera, an important wetland of NE Argentina (Ramsar site no. 1162). Twelve lake perimeter sites were regularly checked for otter tracks and signs. The amount of signs was compared to environmental parameters to test their influence on otter presence and movements. A positive correlation was found between the amount of signs and the physical structure of the littoral areas, as well as vegetation structure. Lakeside otter presence decreased during the summer sampling throughout all sites. In order to determine otter diet, 205 spraints were examined. Otters fed mainly on fish (mostly Cichlidae), but also on crustaceans and molluscs. Other fish consumed were Characidae, Synbranchidae, Loricariidae and Erythrinidae. Seasonal variation was observed in diet composition: in summer, diet crustaceans and vertebrates other than fish increased. A higher percentage of benthic fish species was also observed in summer, while pelagic and benthopelagic species increased in winter. Such dietary changes may be explained by the different habitat use of otters in different seasons, from the lake coast (winter) towards more internal marshy areas of the wetland (summer).     

Evidence of yellow perch, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed metapopulations in coastal embayments of Lake Ontario

Coastal embayments have been and will continue to be constructed along the northwest shoreline of Lake Ontario to restore and create warmwater fish habitat. However, very little is known about the biological connections among embayments. Using otolith microchemistry on pumpkinseed, largemouth bass and yellow perch collected from three constructed embayments in 2006?C2009, we confirm that these three species of fish each exist in a metapopulation. We find that juvenile pumpkinseed, largemouth bass and yellow perch occupy embayments different from their natal habitat after their first winter, and for at least pumpkinseed, continue to move among embayments after their second winter. We hypothesize that these fishes move among embayments after haphazardly dispersing from their overwintering habitat to the littoral zone each spring. Habitat restoration and remediation efforts in coastal Great Lakes habitats should take a system-based management approach that considers the spatial proximity of embayments, and attempts to create or preserve connected networks.     

Top‐Down Control of Reed Detritus Processing in a Lake Littoral Zone: Experimental Evidence of a Seasonal Compensation between Fish and Invertebrate Predation

We investigated whether predatory fish exert a top‐down control on reed leaf packs processing in a lake littoral zone through a trophic cascade. Exclosure experiments were repeated in summer and winter, under high and low natural fish abundance, respectively. Fish exclusion effects on detritus processing and fungal conditioning were consistent with trophic cascade predictions only in summer. In winter, however, results indicated that a trophic cascade was induced by predatory invertebrates. In both seasons, variations in detritivores abundance generally supported a cascade scenario, whereas several taxon‐specific departures occurred during the experimental periods. We conclude suggesting that predators may continuously regulate leaf detritus processing in lake littoral zones, through a seasonal shift in the relative contribution of fish and invertebrate predation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Habitat, diet and food assimilation of Arctic charr under the winter ice in two subarctic lakes

The Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations of the subarctic lakes Takvatn and Fjellfrøsvatn, north Norway, concentrated in the littoral zones (0–15 m) of the lakes during the entire winter (December to May) despite very low temperatures (0·2 and 0·7° C). High prey availability, low predation and competition and comparatively better light under snow and ice in shallow compared with deep water are probable reasons. At ice break in June, all Arctic charr moved to the profundal zone for a brief period, probably in response to the sudden light increase and a profundal resource peak of chironomid pupae. In the summer, the Arctic charr are found in the pelagic, profundal and littoral zones of the lakes. These populations therefore perform regular habitat shifts between the littoral zone in the winter, the profundal zone at ice break and the whole lake in the summer and autumn. The fish fed continuously during winter despite the cold water and the poor light. Amphipods and chironomid larvae dominated the diet. Catch per unit effort, numbers of stomachs with food and food intake rates varied with the subarctic light cycle but were lowest after the winter solstice. The winter assimilation of energy was about equal to the standard metabolism in Takvatn but was higher in Fjellfrøsvatn. The assimilation increased in both lakes under the spring ice in May. The habitat choice, diet and energy assimilation indicate that the Arctic charr is well adapted to the extreme winter conditions of subarctic lakes.     

Fish assemblage patterns in the littoral zone of a European reservoir

1. Although reservoirs are common aquatic habitats in Europe, there is little quantitative information on the spatial organisation of fish assemblages inhabiting their littoral zones. Consequently, we characterised fish assemblage structure in the littoral zone of a reservoir (Lake Pareloup) in SW France during late spring, summer and early autumn (the growing season).
2. We measured the relative abundance of fish weekly, from mid-May to mid-October, using point abundance sampling by electrofishing. We identified temporal patterns in assemblage structure using hierarchical cluster analysis, and then characterised the spatial distribution of 17 defined ecospecies using a Kohonen self-organising map (SOM, an unsupervised Artificial Neural Network).
3. Our analyses revealed three distinct faunal structures within the littoral zone. From mid-May to mid-July, adults and young-of-the-year (0+) occupied separate habitats, with most 0+ fish in vegetated habitats and adults in open water. From mid-July to late August, some 0+ co-occurred with adults, but most 0+ fishes remained in vegetated areas. Finally, from late August to mid-October, most fish (both 0+ and adults) left the vegetation for unvegetated littoral habitats, the exception being fish species known to be dependent on macrophytes.
4. Contrary to patterns for adult fishes, the 0+ fish assemblage was dynamic. These dynamics were driven by ontogenetic species-specific habitat changes. Consequently, there was little evidence of stable assemblages or strong assemblage–habitat relationships that would be expected of an 'interactive' assemblage. It is likely that the patterns observed are a result of species-specific response to habitat availability in the lake.     

Effect of water level fluctuation on shore spawning of Mirogrex terraesanctae (Steinitz), (Cyprinidae) in Lake Kinneret, Israel

Mirogrex terraesanctae (Steinitz), is an endemic, open water, zooplanktivorous fish. It spawns in the shallow littoral (0–50 cm) of Lake Kinneret, from November to May with a peak in mid winter (January-February). Spawning begins shortly after nightfall, when schools of the fish move along the shoreline in rocky regions, and release their milt and eggs. The adhesive eggs are attached to the surface of recently inundated, algae-free stones. A negative relationship exists between epilithic growth and egg density and survival. Algal growth may play a key role in the determination of the spawning depth. Breeding success of M. terraesanctae depends on the rate and extent of rise in lake level which, in turn, determines the availability of a suitable spawning substratum.     

Movement of a South American perch Percichthys trucha in a mountain Patagonian lake during spawning and prespawning periods

Movement of the South American perch Percichthys trucha (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) was studied in a set of interconnected mountain lakes in northern Patagonia. Fish were tracked using attached acoustic tags and a fixed hydrophone array over two seasons, corresponding to the spawning (1999) and prespawning periods (2000). Percichthys trucha was found to move throughout the lake system, and to use a small, shallow, connected lake as a principal spawning area. In addition, detailed behavioural information was obtained for the spawning period. Most fish spent the initial 2 weeks descending from the littoral zone to depths of 5–8 m, presumably while feeding. Fish changed depth slowly, spending several days at each depth, and moving throughout the lake. A few days prior to the full moon, there was a change in behaviour thought to be associated with spawning, where the fish moved toward the vegetated littoral areas. Marked daily behaviour also began at this time, with movement to particular near-shore locations at dusk, and return to slightly greater depths offshore at or before dawn. Study of the behaviour of P. trucha during the breeding season has highlighted the conservation significance of the main locations within the lake system.     

Temporal dynamics of coral reef fish communities in Nha Trang Bay marine protected area,South-Central Vietnam

To improve understanding of reef fish communities of Vietnam’s first dedicated marine protected area, visual censuses were conducted seasonally from 2003–05 in Nha Trang Bay, south-central Vietnam using SCUBA. Results from this study show that species richness were usually higher in summer than winter and that decreased from summer to winter in both shallow and deep areas in this MPA, but this apparent decrease was not significant. There were significant variations in density of reef fish communities between seasons with higher densities in summer (from April to September) and lower densities in winter (from October to March). The families contributing most to the higher density during summer in the 3 years were acanthurids, chaetodontids, labrids, pomacentrids, scarids, siganids, pomacanthids and caesionids. The increased density of these families in summer was mostly due to increases of juveniles. Recruitment of acanthurids, chaetodontids, labrids, pomacentrids, scarids and siganids occurred primarily in shallow waters whereas caesionids and pomacanthids were mainly recruiting in deeper areas. There were no differences in spatial variations in both species richness and density within the same time periods over several years.     

Reproductive biology of the threatened golden galaxias Galaxias auratus Johnston and the influence of lake hydrology

Golden galaxias Galaxias auratus (31–235 mm fork length, L _F) were collected monthly from littoral habitats in Lakes Crescent and Sorell, Tasmania, Australia, between July 2000 and December 2002. Spawning habitats were identified and monitored in both lakes, and surveyed in Lake Crescent. Trends in gonado-somatic indices and reproductive stages of development indicated that gonad development in both sexes begins in midsummer and peaks in late autumn to early winter. Males mature at smaller sizes (50% at 52 mm L _F) than females (50% at 76 mm L _F), larger individuals are predominately females (95% of fish ≥138 mm L _F), and overall male to female ratios are female biased ( c . 1:2). Spawning occurs late autumn to early spring (water temperatures = 1·4–9·7° C) with peaks in spawning activity in winter (mean water temperatures <5° C). Demersal adhesive eggs ( c. 1·5 mm diameter) were found on cobble substrata ( c. 20–250 mm diameter) in littoral areas ( c. 0·2–0·6 m deep) and fecundity of fish 71–181 mm L _F ranged from 619 to 14 478 eggs. The rate of change in water level over the 20 days prior to monthly sampling was important in explaining the occurrence of spent fish and this accounted for temporal differences in spawning between the populations. Lake hydrology influences the reproductive cycle of G. auratus by possibly providing a stimulus for spawning and it controls the availability of spawning habitat in Lake Crescent. Seasonal hydrological cycles ( i.e. rises during late autumn to winter) and a minimum water level of 802·20 m Australian Height Datum in Lake Crescent during autumn (above which littoral areas of cobble substratum are inundated) are critical to G. auratus populations.     

Redistribution of juvenile salmonid fishes after localized catastrophic depletion

Juvenile Atlantic salmon and brown trout were depleted at three sites ( c . 108–380 m²) of a natural stream during the summer months of 1991 and 1992. Local population changes and movements of fish marked in sections adjacent to each depleted area were monitored thereafter. There was very little movement of marked salmon parr into the central regions of the depleted areas following the immediate post-marking period. Upstream movement by young-of-the-year fish from high density sections in mid-late summer was noted for trout but not salmon. Unmarked 1-year-old salmon parr immigrated into depleted areas in June 1992, and the pattern of recolonization was consistent with migration upstream from the adjoining river. It is concluded that resident salmon were very strongly site-attached and resource tracking was of no functional significance as a compensatory mortality mechanism. The occurrence of a long distance migratory component in the population during early-mid summer indicates that this, rather than local resource tracking, constitutes a potential compensatory mechanism.     

Sea surface temperature dictates movement and habitat connectivity of Atlantic cod in a coastal fjord system

While movements of organisms have been studied across a myriad of environments, information is often lacking regarding spatio‐seasonal patterning in complex temperate coastal systems. Highly mobile fish form an integral part of marine food webs providing linkages within and among habitats, between patches of habitats, and at different life stages. We investigated how movement, activity, and connectivity patterns of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are influenced by dynamic environmental conditions. Movement patterns of 39 juvenile and subadult Atlantic cod were assessed in two coastal sites in the Swedish Skagerrak for 5 months. We used passive acoustic telemetry and network analysis to assess seasonal and spatial movement patterns of cod and their relationships to different environmental factors, using statistical correlations, analysis of recurrent spatial motifs, and generalized linear mixed models. Temperature, in combination with physical barriers, precludes significant connectivity (complex motifs) within the system. Sea surface temperature had a strong influence on connectivity (node strength, degree, and motif frequency), where changes from warmer summer waters to colder winter waters significantly reduced movement activity of fish. As the seasons changed, movement of fish gradually decreased from large‐scale (km) linkages in the summer to more localized movement patterns in the winter (limited to 100s m). Certain localized areas, however, were identified as important for connectivity throughout the whole study period, likely due to these multiple‐habitat areas fulfilling functions required for foraging and shelter. This study provides new knowledge regarding inshore movement dynamics of juvenile and subadult Atlantic cod that use complex, coastal fjord systems. The findings show that connectivity, seasonal patterns in particular, should be carefully considered when selecting conservation areas to promote marine stewardship.     

Bottom fauna and littoral vegetation fauna in Lake Maarsseveen

Summary The littoral vegetation starts its development only in June and reaches its highest expansion in autumn. By that time the organic debris from these plants starts to play an important role for detritivorous organisms. The quantitative development of the fauna in the littoral is highest in autumn and early winter. The bottom fauna in the hypolimnetic parts of the lake is less dependent of the season. The experiments with artificial plants have shown that most species are present when the littoral vegetation is absent. Owing to the absence of substrate in the form of vegetation with epiphyton as a major food resource the numbers in spring and early summer are low. The most productive invertebrate isDreissena polymorpha.     

Small larvae in large rivers: observations on downstream movement of European grayling Thymallus thymallus during early life stages

Behaviour of early life stages of the salmonid European grayling Thymallus thymallus was investigated by assessing the timing of larval downstream movement from spawning areas, the depth at which larvae moved and the distribution of juvenile fish during summer in two large connected river systems in Norway. Trapping of larvae moving downstream and electrofishing surveys revealed that T. thymallus larvae emerging from the spawning gravel moved downstream predominantly during the night, despite light levels sufficient for orientation in the high‐latitude study area. Larvae moved in the water mostly at the bottom layer close to the substratum, while drifting debris was caught in all layers of the water column. Few young‐of‐the‐year still resided close to the spawning areas in autumn, suggesting large‐scale movement (several km). Together, these observations show that there may be a deliberate, active component to downstream movement of T. thymallus during early life stages. This research signifies the importance of longitudinal connectivity for T. thymallus in Nordic large river systems. Human alterations of flow regimes and the construction of reservoirs for hydropower may not only affect the movement of adult fish, but may already interfere with active movement behaviour of fish during early life stages.     

Microcrustacean community structure and biomass in marsh and lake habitats of the Okefenokee Swamp: seasonal dynamics and responses to resource manipulations

Microcrustacean community and biomass dynamics were studied for two years in a Nymphaea-Eriocaulon macrophyte marsh and a nearby shallow lake which lacked macrophytes in the Okefenokee Swamp. In this blackwater, acidic wetland, microcrustacean diversity and biomass were similar to other circumneutral lakes and littoral areas, contributing to a productive fish assemblage. In the lake, the annual biomass pattern (15–1627 μg 1⁻¹) was unimodal and was dominated by the crustaceans Diaptomus sinuatus and Eubosmina tubicen. Rotifers were occasionally important, constituting up to 55% of total biomass. Over the long term, mean annual biomass in this post-drought study are higher than in pre-drought years. In the marsh, biomass (11–777 μg 1⁻¹) fluctuated biomodally with late winter depressions corresponding to low temperatures and midsummer declines indicative of increasing fish predation. Summer dominance shifted between years from Macrothricidae in 1982 to Sididae in 1983. Variation in biomass correlated most strongly with algal chlorophyll in the marsh and with bacterial density in the lake. In field enclosure experiments in which primary production was reduced by shading, microcrustacean responses varied between lake and marsh habitats and with season. Lake zooplankton were consistently suppressed by reduced algal resources in winter, spring and summer experiments, with greatest responses to shading in the summer. Marsh microcrustacea were most affected in the winter experiment and became less sensitive to manipulated resource levels in spring and summer. Decoupling of these consumers from autotrophic resources in the marsh, but not in the lake, coincides with times of high macrophyte turnover and warming temperatures which promote the conversion of detritus into heterotrophic resources such as bacteria. The conflict between interactions implied by the experimental approach vs statistical criteria emphasizes a need to interpret resource dependence from seasonal dynamics of field populations with caution.     

Lipid‐rich zooplankton subsidise the winter diet of benthivorous Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in a subarctic lake

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