Size-dependent predator–prey relationships between pikeperch and their prey fish |
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| Authors: | H Dörner S Hülsmann F Hölker C Skov A Wagner |
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| Institution: | Institute of Hydrobiology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany;, European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC), AGRIFISH Unit, Ispra (VA), Italy;, Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany;, Department of Inland Fisheries, Danish Institute for Fisheries Research, Silkeborg, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Abstract – Predator–prey interactions in aquatic food webs depend on the sizes of both predator and prey. In the present study, size-dependent interactions between >70 mm total length pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) and four different prey species in the biomanipulated Bautzen Reservoir were investigated. Gape widths of 597 pikeperch were measured, and the stomach contents of 806 specimens were analysed. Additionally, total lengths (TL) and body depths of 1448 prey fish were determined. The highest prey length to predator length ratio (PPR) was 0.63. Total lengths of piscivorous pikeperch and total lengths of prey fish pikeperch, ruffe Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) and roach Rutilus rutilus (L.)] were positively and linearly related. This was not the case for prey perch ( Perca fluviatilis L.) as all size groups of pikeperch fed strongly on age-0 perch. This study coupled with results of previous studies suggests that predation by pikeperch can have a major impact on the population dynamics of especially perch. |
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| Keywords: | Sander lucioperca predator–prey interactions piscivory predator to prey ratio |
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