IIerbivorous feeding by Mysis relicta on three size fractions of natural phytoplankton from Lake Michigan was measured from the change in concentration of chlorophyll a. Mysis fed primarily on the largest size fraction. When offered only the largest size fraction, Mysis fragmented the material and the fragments were observed as increases in the smallest size fraction Diuptomus ashlandi, which could feed only on the smallest size fraction, is a possible recipient of such fragmented cells or chains. A simple compartmental model indicated that filtering rates of Mysis were significantly greater on the largest than on the smallest fraction, and that during feeding 56% of the largest size fraction was broken up into the smallest size fraction. Mysis may feed on large phytoplankton by migrating at night into a chlorophyll a maximum in the thermocline containing mostly the largest size fraction. Moonlight inhibited the ascent of Mysis at night and may indirectly affect phytoplankton mortality due to mysid grazing.

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Density estimates of Mysis relicta based on night vertical net tows at stations of 30–50 m in Lake Michigan were about an order of magnitude larger than previous estimates based on sled tows. Significantly greater density estimates were obtained in night vertical net tows than those collected before sunset at these shallow stations. However, density estimates based on sled tows during daylight were not significantly different from those based on night vertical net tows at a 115-m station in Lake Michigan. At this deep station, a substantially larger percentage of late instar mysids was collected in sled tows than in night vertical net tows. Key words: Mysis relicta, Lake Michigan, density estimates, vertical net tows, epibenthic sled tows

Mysis relicta has been recognized as an important component of many limnetic food webs. The first approach to studying the feeding habits of M. relicta was the analysis of stomach contents. Assumptions regarding stomach content analysis have been tested and seasonal feeding estimates of M. relicta have been reported recently. Laboratory grazing and/ or predation experiments have recently been completed using M. relicta primarily from Lakes Michigan and Tahoe. Mysis relicta is concluded to be opportunistic, capable of utilizing a variety of food resources. It may play an important role in structuring limnetic food webs.

Snowcore and water samples were collected during the 1981 to 82 winter at two independent sites in Northern Michigan; the Little Pigeon River and McNearney Lake. Acidic and basic species were determined in all samples. Examination of the concentration vs depth profiles of snow cores showed that all species were stable in the snowpack until the spring thaw period. During the thaw, 50 to 70% of the stored acids were released during the first 20 % of the snowmelt. However, rainfall during the melt period contributed as much acidity to the environment as the snowmelt. Study of runoff showed that only 30% of the nitrate originally present in the snowpack appeared in the Little Pigeon River. Therefore, H2SO 4 dominated the runoff acidity at the Little Pigeon River. Both nitrate and sulfate were responsible for the slight acidification of McNearney Lake during the snowmelt period.