Search results for "fish predation"

Increased water temperature decreases predation rate of an important sea star predator on sea urchins.

2011

Macroalgal assemblage type affects predation pressure on sea urchins by altering adhesion strength.

2010

In the Mediterranean, sea breams are the most effective Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula predators. Generally, seabreams dislodge adult urchins from the rocky substrate, turn them upside down and crush their tests. Sea urchins may respond to fish attacks clinging tenaciously to the substratum. This study is the first attempt to investigate sea urchin adhesion strength in two alternative algal assemblages of the rocky infralittoral and valuated its possible implication for fish predation. We hypothesized that (1) sea urchin adhesion strength is higher in rocky shores dominated by encrusting macro-algae (ECA) than in erected macro algae (EMA); (2) predation rates upon sea urchins are …

Inferring fish abundance in lakes from subfossil midge (Diptera:Chironomidae) remains

2017

This study assessed the possibility of using subfossil remains of chironomid head capsules to reconstruct past fish abundances in lakes. Using data from 20 Swedish lakes, a weighted average (WA) model was created to predict the abundance of benthivorous fish (cyprinids and perch). Chironomid head capsules, identified to genus, served as the predictors to model already recorded (catch per unit effort) fish data. The relationship of chironomid species composition to lake morphometry, water chemistry and fish abundance were examined using ordination and variation partitioning methods. Moreover, the relationship between fish abundance and two chironomid species traits: body size and activity mo…

Importance of water-level fluctuation on population dynamics of cladocerans in a hypertrophic reservoir (Lake Arancio, south-west Sicily, Italy)

1997

During a period of three years (1990-1991 and 1993), we studied the population dynamics of planktonic cladocerans in a hypertrophic reservoir. Weekly sampling revealed that the five most common species followed a trend which reflects the peculiar hydrological characteristics of the reservoir and their key position in the pelagic food web. In particular, 1991 was characterized by a strong water inflow which probably interfered with the reproductive activities of the dominant fish population (Rutilus rubilio) and reduced the concentration of inedible planktonic algae allowing the development of small Chlorococcales. This event was associated with higher population densities of Daphnia hyalina…