The effects of dreissenid mussels on the survival and condition of burrowing mayflies (Hexagenia spp.) in western Lake Erie

Freeman, Kenneth J.; Krieger, Kenneth A.; Berg, David J. Van Den

doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2011.04.006

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Reasons for the resurgence in mayflies remain elusive, as did the reasons for their original decline (Clady and Hutchinson 1976;Mills et al 2016), and are likely not related to Round Goby (Reynoldson and Hamilton 1993;Bridgeman et al 2006). Several studies have investigated the complex relationship between mayfly resurgence and dreissenid mussels (Krieger et al 1996;DeVanna et al 2011;Freeman et al 2011). Mayflies began increasing in benthic samples during 2011-2012 and in White Perch diets as early as 2008, both of which preceded the Round Goby expansion that began in 2014.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Round Goby on the Benthic Invertebrate Community and on Diets and Growth of Yellow Perch and White Perch in Oneida Lake, New York

et al. 2022

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Food web changes from the introduction of nonnative species can be complex, with sometimes unexpected effects or little effect due to food web interactions. Invasive Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus became common in samples in Oneida Lake, New York, by 2014. Data from a long‐term monitoring program allowed us to document the Round Goby expansion through time. Using shoreline seine, fyke net, bottom trawl, and video surveys, we estimated that Round Goby density reached over 25,000 fish/ha 6 years after detection and subsequently varied between 4,110 and 26,565 fish/ha. Concurrent benthic invertebrate sampling and long‐term fish diet sampling allowed us to assess the impacts of Round Goby on densities of several benthic invertebrate taxa and on invertebrate consumption by fish. Significant decreases in density after Round Goby arrival were found for amphipods (Amphipoda), caddisflies (Trichoptera), snails (Gastropoda), and dreissenid mussels Dreissena spp. Invertebrate densities after Round Goby arrival ranged from 19% to 48% of densities in the pre‐Round Goby period. For amphipods, snails, and, in some cases, caddisflies and chironomids (Chironomidae), frequency of occurrence in the diets of Yellow Perch Perca flavescens and White Perch Morone americana was lower after Round Goby became established. The decreased consumption of these invertebrates did not lead to decreases in fish growth; growth increased for some age‐classes of Yellow Perch and all age‐classes of White Perch. Despite potential Round Goby predation, densities of burrowing mayflies Hexagenia spp. expanded during this time and likely helped to offset reductions in consumption of other invertebrates by Yellow Perch and White Perch, as did consumption of Round Goby. Long‐term monitoring shows that Round Goby decreased the density of several benthic invertebrate species and decreased the consumption of these invertebrates by fish, but the effect on growth of Yellow Perch and White Perch was offset by consumption of Round Goby and burrowing mayflies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Round Goby on the Benthic Invertebrate Community and on Diets and Growth of Yellow Perch and White Perch in Oneida Lake, New York

et al. 2022

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“…We hypothesised that burrowing mayflies would avoid the structure created by Dreissena clusters, as has been suggested previously (Freeman, 1999; Beekey et al. , 2004b; Osterling et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…, 2004b). Bare sediment, typically thought to be the habitat of burrowing mayflies (Freeman, 1999; Schloesser & Nalepa, 2001; Wang et al. , 2001), was the least selected habitat type (Figs 1 and 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, 2001), was the least selected habitat type (Figs 1 and 2). Selecting Dreissena ‐covered habitat may not be beneficial over long time spans as Hexagenia survival has been found to be lowest in mesocosms with Dreissena (Freeman, 1999; Osterling et al. , 2007), but this may be an effect of the mesocosm, as mayfly larvae residing in clusters are densely aggregated and may compete for food.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We focussed on native Hexagenia spp. ( H. limbata , Serville 1829 and H. rigida , McDunnough 1924), burrowing mayflies important to fish and to ecosystem function, whose preferred habitat type has always been perceived as bare sediment (Freeman, 1999; Schloesser & Nalepa, 2001; Wang, Tessier & Hare, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Invasive ecosystem engineers on soft sediment change the habitat preferences of native mayflies and their availability to predators

et al. 2011

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1. Dreissenid mussels (quagga mussels, Dreissena bugensis, and zebra mussels, D. polymorpha) are invasive species that function as ecosystem engineers in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Dreissena are increasingly abundant on silt, sand and other soft substrates; by altering benthic habitat, these mussels can alter benthic community structure. 2. We used laboratory mesocosm experiments to examine the effects of soft-sediment Dreissena clusters on the habitat preference of Hexagenia, a native burrowing mayfly that is an important food source to fish. We conducted three experiments to test whether Hexagenia: (1) select for bare sediment, soft sediment covered with live Dreissena (added structure and food resources) or soft sediment with clusters made of empty Dreissena shells (added structure only), (2) prefer a specific density of live Dreissena on soft sediment and (3) select for or avoid sediment with an accumulation of empty Dreissena shells. 3. Contrary to initial expectations, we found that Hexagenia selected for sediment covered with live Dreissena clusters, followed by empty Dreissena shells clusters, and lastly what was previously thought to be the preferred habitat, bare sediment. Not only did Hexagenia prefer Dreissena-covered sediment, but they also preferred high densities of Dreissena. 4. We also experimentally tested the effects of Dreissena-covered soft sediment on the availability of Hexagenia to fish. We had three treatment levels representing three distinct habitat types: (1) bare sediment (no Dreissena) treatment in which water was turbid because of mayfly activity, (2) Dreissena-covered sediment treatment in which water was clear because of Dreissena filtration and (3) Dreissena-covered sediment with added turbidity. We found that in low light conditions, similar to many locations where both organisms are found to co-occur, both yellow perch and round goby consumption of Hexagenia significantly decreased when Dreissena covered the bottom sediment. 5. These results suggest that by choosing Dreissena-covered habitat, Hexagenia receive protection from fish predation in turbid ⁄ low light systems. However, protection from predation cannot be the only reason Hexagenia select Dreissena-covered sediments, as Hexagenia selected for live clusters more often than empty clusters and may be a result of additional food resources.

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Changes in Lake Erie benthos over the last 50years: Historical perspectives, current status, and main drivers

Burlakova

Karatayev

Pennuto

et al. 2014

Journal of Great Lakes Research

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The effects of dreissenid mussels on the survival and condition of burrowing mayflies (Hexagenia spp.) in western Lake Erie

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Effects of Round Goby on the Benthic Invertebrate Community and on Diets and Growth of Yellow Perch and White Perch in Oneida Lake, New York

Effects of Round Goby on the Benthic Invertebrate Community and on Diets and Growth of Yellow Perch and White Perch in Oneida Lake, New York

Invasive ecosystem engineers on soft sediment change the habitat preferences of native mayflies and their availability to predators

Changes in Lake Erie benthos over the last 50years: Historical perspectives, current status, and main drivers

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