Visual feeding of fish in a turbid environment: Physical and behavioural aspects |
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Authors: | A. C. Utne-Palm |
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Affiliation: | a University of Bergen, Department of Fisheries and Marine Biology, P.O. Box 7800 N-5020 Bergen, Norway. |
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Abstract: | Turbidity has both positive and negative effects on prey detection, by increasing or diminishing the contrast between prey and background due to the scattering of light. The positive effect of turbidity on prey contrast depends on the optical properties, scattering properties of suspended particles and the visual sensitivity of the predator.
The positive effect of turbidity is pronounced for larval fish, given that their visual field is short, leaving fewer particles between them and their prey to scatter light and interfere with detection. This relationship, together with a decreased risk of predation, makes turbid environments more optimal for some species and size groups of fish (planktivores and fish larvae) and less so for others (adult piscivore fish). Thus, turbidity might have a structuring effect on a fish community. Recently it has been demonstrated that UV light might have positive effects on prey detection and consumption. How UV light might interact with different kinds of particles producing turbidity is not well documented. |
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Keywords: | Turbidity Prey Detection Visual Sensitivity Predation Larval Fish Planktivores Piscivores |
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