The effects of turbidity on prey consumption and selection of zooplanktivorous Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

Helenius, Laura; Borg, Janica; Nurminen, Leena; Leskinen, Elina; Lehtonen, Hannu

doi:10.1007/s10452-013-9448-x

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…In contrast, in extremely turbid aquatic systems, where the reaction distance is minimal, an increase in predator movement is ineffective because it elevates energy expenditure without necessarily increasing success in prey capture (De Robertis et al 2003;Carter et al 2010). Second, a gradual and slow increase in turbidity may allow these fishes to adjust the visual detection of their prey in response to changes in environmental conditions (Webster et al 2007;Helenius et al 2013). In addition, the decrease in visual detection could be compensated by the increase in detection resulting from non-visual cues from the prey , for example, via the lateral line, mainly in fishes adapted to regular temporal shifts (Webster et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural complexity and turbidity do not interact to influence predation rate and prey selectivity by a small visually feeding fish

Figueiredo

Mormul

Benedito

2015

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Structural complexity and turbidity decrease predation by respectively providing a physical and visual refuge for prey. It is still unclear how the covariance between these variables could drive predation and prey selectivity. We experimentally simulated scenarios that are temporally observed in floodplain rivers. In the experiments, we crossed different prey types, structural complexity and turbidity. We hypothesised that the negative relationship between structural complexity and predation would become stronger with a linear increase in the turbidity level and that an increase in structural complexity and in turbidity would change prey selectivity from a selective to a random pattern. Our results showed that the effects of structural complexity and turbidity on predation may not covary; a linear increase in turbidity did not significantly change the patterns of predation or prey selectivity. In contrast, structural complexity significantly reduced prey consumption according to prey size. We argue that areas with low macrophyte cover may provide an efficient refuge for smaller prey, whereas an efficient refuge for larger prey can be attained only in areas with high macrophyte cover. In highly complex habitats, specificity in prey consumption is precluded because both prey species can hide amid the interstices of the macrophytes, leading to random prey selectivity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural complexity and turbidity do not interact to influence predation rate and prey selectivity by a small visually feeding fish

Figueiredo

Mormul

Benedito

2015

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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“…; Helenius et al. ); hence, no significant differences between the predators were observed concerning cladocerans. The substantial population increases of P. polyphemoides in the spring and Bosmina in the summer occurred only in the control and were clearly inhibited by predation, regardless of feeding strategy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The low densities of cladocerans in the predator enclosures inflicted a large part of the dissimilarity found between the predator enclosures and the control, because large crustacean zooplankton (e.g., Acartia and P. polyphemoides) are strongly predator controlled (Horsted et al 1988). Cladoceran vulnerability or preference over copepod prey has been demonstrated for both roach and sticklebacks (e.g., Winfield et al 1983;Helenius et al 2013); hence, no significant differences between the predators were observed concerning cladocerans. The substantial population increases of P. polyphemoides in the spring and Bosmina in the summer occurred only in the control and were clearly inhibited by predation, regardless of feeding strategy.…”

Section: Source Of Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies of zooplanktivory shape the dynamics and diversity of littoral plankton communities: a mesocosm approach

Helenius

Padrós

Leskinen

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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Planktivorous fish can exert strong top-down control on zooplankton communities. By incorporating different feeding strategies, from selective particulate feeding to cruising filter feeding, fish species target distinct prey. In this study, we investigated the effects of two species with different feeding strategies, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.)) and roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)), on a low-diversity brackish water zooplankton community using a 16-day mesocosm experiment. The experiment was conducted on a small-bodied spring zooplankton community in high-nutrient conditions, as well as a large-bodied summer community in low-nutrient conditions. Effects were highly dependent on the initial zooplankton community structure and hence seasonal variation. In a small-bodied community with high predation pressure and no dispersal or migration, the selective particulate-feeding stickleback depleted the zooplankton community and decreased its diversity more radically than the cruising filter-feeding roach. Cladocerans rather than copepods were efficiently removed by predation, and their removal caused altered patterns in rotifer abundance. In a large-bodied summer community with initial high taxonomic and functional diversity, predation pressure was lower and resource availability was high for omnivorous crustaceans preying on other zooplankton. In this community, predation maintained diversity, regardless of predator species. During both experimental periods, predation influenced the competitive relationship between the dominant calanoid copepods, and altered species composition and size structure of the zooplankton community. Changes also occurred to an extent at the level of nontarget prey, such as microzooplankton and rotifers, emphasizing the importance of subtle predation effects. We discuss our results in the context of the adaptive foraging mechanism and relate them to the natural littoral community.

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“…Sex-dependent relationships in consumption have been found previously in sexually dimorphic fish. For example, Helenius et al (2013) found sex-dependent differences in prey consumption in three-spine stickleback, where prey consumption by females in the high turbidity (77.38 NTU) treatment was lower than that of males. When we included sex as a factor in our analyses, we found no significant difference between consumption in males and females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bonner and Wilde () found that emerald shiner in stream habitats exhibit a 73% decrease in prey consumption in waters with elevated sedimentary turbidity compared with individuals found in clearer waters. Helenius, Borg, Nurminen, Leskinen, and Lehtonen () found decreased consumption of zooplanktivore prey by three‐spine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus 1758) in high levels (i.e. 75–80 NTU) of turbidity but noted that moderate levels of turbidity (45–50 NTU) did not result in decreased prey consumption.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated algal and sedimentary turbidity alter prey consumption by emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides)

Nieman

Gray

2019

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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Anthropogenic increases to turbidity (suspended particulates) in the water column can alter the underwater visual environment, resulting in disruptions to visual signals in fishes exposed to these conditions. However, dissimilar turbidity types (e.g. sedimentary or algal particles) are expected to influence the visual environment in different ways as they exhibit differing physical characteristics. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of elevated turbidity on prey consumption in emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides). A secondary goal was to determine the relationship between visual morphological structures (i.e. eyes and optic lobe of brain) and prey consumption in different visual environments. We tested emerald shiner consumption of Daphnia magna in three turbidity types (sedimentary, algal and sedimentary + algal) at two different levels (20 NTU and 40 NTU) as well as in a clear (<5 NTU) control. We found that prey consumption decreased in high turbidity (40 NTU) across turbidity types relative to the control treatment. Further, consumption was lower in each treatment relative to the control with the exception of the moderate (20 NTU) sedimentary turbidity treatment. This study indicates that for emerald shiner, while high levels of turbidity are likely to suppress foraging, moderate levels of sedimentary turbidity may be slightly beneficial for foraging success. Further, it is likely that increases in algal turbidity via cultural eutrophication are likely to result in reductions in prey consumption.

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The effects of turbidity on prey consumption and selection of zooplanktivorous Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

Cited by 17 publications

References 54 publications

Structural complexity and turbidity do not interact to influence predation rate and prey selectivity by a small visually feeding fish

Structural complexity and turbidity do not interact to influence predation rate and prey selectivity by a small visually feeding fish

Strategies of zooplanktivory shape the dynamics and diversity of littoral plankton communities: a mesocosm approach

Elevated algal and sedimentary turbidity alter prey consumption by emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides)

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