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- Title
Response of the residential piscivorous fish community to introduction of a new predator type in a mesotrophic lake.
- Authors
Schulze, Torsten; Baade, Ulrich; Dörner, Hendrik; Eckmann, Reiner; Haertel-Borer, Susanne S.; Hölker, Franz; Mehner, Thomas
- Abstract
Although the effects of introduced predators on prey populations in aquatic ecosystems have been studied frequently, less is known about the interactions between predators. We performed a whole-lake experiment by stocking a non-native top predator (pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)) to two residential piscivores (Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and northern pike (Esox lucius)). By analyzing spatial distribution, diet composition, growth, and consumption rates of the piscivores before and after pikeperch introduction, we tested how both density-dependent and trait-mediated responses affected interactions between the three predators. Total piscivore biomass increased 1.5 times and annual consumption by the piscivores increased 1.7 times after stocking, attributable to the stocked pikeperch and increased northern pike abundances. Abundance, distribution, and consumption data indicated that northern pike was hardly affected by pikeperch stocking and even increased its biomass, whereas piscivorous perch shifted its habitat use towards the littoral lake areas in response to competition with pikeperch. Furthermore, all piscivores increasingly fed on small perch. The forced habitat shift of piscivorous perch in combination with increased predation on small perch led to a decreased abundance of large perch, attributable to the compensatory effects of intraguild predation and cannibalism.
- Subjects
PIKE; ESOX; PISCIVOROUS fishes; PISCIVORES; FISH communities; FISH populations; RUTILUS; PERCH fishing; BIOMASS
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 2006, Vol 63, Issue 10, p2202
- ISSN
0706-652X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/F06-099