Maximum handling size,prey size and type selection by snakehead (Channa argus) feeding on juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) |
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| Authors: | Mingzhong Luo Tanglin Zhang Zhongjie Li Jiashou Liu |
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| Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, , Wuhan, 430072 China;2. Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, , Beijing, 100039 China |
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| Abstract: | Laboratory predation trials were conducted to investigate maximum handling size, prey size and type selection by small (35–37 cm in total length, LT), medium (43–46 cm LT) and larger (58–60 cm LT) snakehead (Channa argus) when feeding on a wide size (9–34 mm in carapace width, CW) range of juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). The maximum handling size of predator feeding on crabs monotonically increased with predator LT and mouth gape width, GW. Snakehead with at least 16.0 cm LT or 27.7 mm GW would be capability to consume the smallest size group of crabs, whereas the predator with 72.6 cm LT or 63.4 mm GW would be capability to consume all size groups of crabs in these trails. Prey‐size selection trials showed that snakehead has a high preference to the small‐sized crabs, and lower preference to the medium or large size crabs. The preference index was significantly affected by prey size and prey size × predator size interaction, however, was not affected by predator size. In prey type experiments, snakehead consumed lower proportions of juvenile crabs when fed on the crab and crucian carp than when fed on only the crab, which suggests alternative fish prey may reduce predation risk of the crab by snakehead in nature. These results could be useful for improving the fishery management and release strategies for the crab. |
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| Keywords: | maximum handling size prey selection snakehead Chinese mitten crab feeding |
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