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Shift in pike, Esox lucius L., predation pressure following the introduction of ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) to Loch Lomond

Shift in pike, Esox lucius L., predation pressure following the introduction of ruffe,... Rapid and dramatic change in the fish community of Loch Lomond has resulted from a series of fish introductions in recent years. A comparison of the diet of pike, Esox lucius L., in 1989–1990 with data from 1955–1967, prior to recent introductions, demonstrates a shift in prey choice. In 1955–1967 powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), dominated in the diet (57% of prey by number) by 1989–1990 the introduced ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), was the commonest prey species (44% by number). This shift in pike predation to an abundant population of introduced ruffe has consequences for native species. Assuming that the pike population has not increased in response to increased food availability due to the introduction of ruffe, pike predation pressure on native species will be relieved. This is likely to have the greatest effect on powan. Comparison of the predation rate in 1955–1967 with 1989–1990 supports the hypothesis that the rate of predation on powan has declined, although the effect that this may have on the powan population is unclear, as the role of predation in the regulation of population size is unknown for this species. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Fish Biology Wiley

Shift in pike, Esox lucius L., predation pressure following the introduction of ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) to Loch Lomond

Adams, C. E.
Journal of Fish Biology , Volume 38 (5) – May 1, 1991
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References (6)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0022-1112
eISSN
1095-8649
DOI
10.1111/j.1095-8649.1991.tb03155.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Rapid and dramatic change in the fish community of Loch Lomond has resulted from a series of fish introductions in recent years. A comparison of the diet of pike, Esox lucius L., in 1989–1990 with data from 1955–1967, prior to recent introductions, demonstrates a shift in prey choice. In 1955–1967 powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), dominated in the diet (57% of prey by number) by 1989–1990 the introduced ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), was the commonest prey species (44% by number). This shift in pike predation to an abundant population of introduced ruffe has consequences for native species. Assuming that the pike population has not increased in response to increased food availability due to the introduction of ruffe, pike predation pressure on native species will be relieved. This is likely to have the greatest effect on powan. Comparison of the predation rate in 1955–1967 with 1989–1990 supports the hypothesis that the rate of predation on powan has declined, although the effect that this may have on the powan population is unclear, as the role of predation in the regulation of population size is unknown for this species.

Journal

Journal of Fish Biology – Wiley

Published: May 1, 1991

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