Growth and Food Consumption by Tiger Muskellunge: Effects of Temperature and Ration Level on Bioenergetic Model Predictions

Abstract

We measured growth of age‐0 tiger muskellunge as a function of ration size (25, 50, 75, and 100% Cmax) and water temperature (7.5–25°C) and compared experimental results with those predicted from a bioenergetic model. Discrepancies between actual and predicted values varied appreciably with water temperature and growth rate. On average, model output overestimated winter consumption rates at 10 and 7.5°C by 113 to 328%, respectively, whereas model predictions in summer and autumn (20–25°C) were in better agreement with actual values (4 to 58%). We postulate that variation in model performance was related to seasonal changes in esocid metabolic rate, which were not accounted for in the bioenergetic model. Moreover, accuracy of model output varied with feeding and growth rate of tiger muskellunge. The model performed poorly for fish fed low rations compared with estimates based on fish fed ad libitum rations and was attributed, in part, to the influence of growth rate on the accuracy of bioenergetic predictions. Based on modeling simulations, we found that errors associated with bioenergetic parameters had more influence on model output when growth rate was low, which is consistent with our observations. In addition, reduced conversion efficiency at high ration levels may contribute to variable model performance, thereby implying that waste losses should be modeled as a function of ration size for esocids. Our findings support earlier field tests of the esocid bioenergetic model and indicate that food consumption is generally overestimated by the model, particularly in winter months and for fish exhibiting low feeding and growth rates.

Degree-day accumulation influences annual variability in growth of age-0 walleye

“…Enzymatic reaction rates that govern metabolic rates, and therefore fish growth, increase with higher temperatures (Clarke and Johnston, 1999;Higley et al, 1986). For example, age-0 tiger muskellunge Esox masquinongy × Esox lucius grew faster under higher temperatures independent of feeding levels (Chipps et al, 2000). Food consumption rates can also increase with increasing temperatures, as was observed in laboratory experiments with zooplanktivorous age-0 walleye (Johnston and Mathias, 1994b).…”

Crescimento de Aegla itacolomiensis (Crustacea, Decapoda) em um arroio da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil

“…Variações climáticas nos sistemas límnicos onde esses animais vivem podem influenciar nas suas atividades circadianas, incluindo aquelas dedicadas ao forrageamento, além de afetar a abundância de recursos alimentares nos cursos d´água, o que acaba por refletir no crescimento somático dos organismos (CHIPPS et al, 2000;KUMLU & EROLDOGAN, 2000;CREAR et al, 2003).…”

Competitive interactions between walleye (Sander vitreus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) under various controlled conditions

“…In fact, crayfish were selected against in all treatments for both species. Negative selection may have occurred for several reasons, including a higher relative energy density of fathead minnow compared to crayfish [4100 J/g (Chipps et al 2000) versus 3063 J/g (Eggleton and Schramm 2002), respectively] and a lower energetic cost of capturing and digesting fathead minnows compared to crayfish. However, SMB is considered a generalist in its food habits (Winemiller and Taylor 1987), and consumption of crayfish by SMB is common (Clady 1974;Hubert 1977;Johnson and Hale 1977;Lott 1996;Gangl et al 1997;Frey et al 2003;Bacula 2009).…”