Effects of Predation Risk and Parasitism on the Feeding Ecology, Habitat Use, and Abondance of Lacustrine Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Johan Jakobsen ◽  
Geir Helge Johnsen ◽  
Petter Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Length Distribution ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Selective Predation ◽  
Restricted Area ◽  
High Predation

From 1980 to 1985, we investigated a lacustrine population of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) with respect to densities, individual length, distribution, diet, frequency of parasitism by Schistocepbalus solidus, and selective predation by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). From these investigations we concluded the following. (1) When stickleback are forced into the littoral zone by salmon, competition in this restricted area increases, or alternatively, stickleback distribute themselves in an area with less profitable prey. This, combined with predation from salmon, results in a population decline and reduced growth of the stickleback. (2) At least in autumn, parasitized stickleback distribute themselves in areas with high predation risk from salmon; when exposed to salmon predation, parasitized stickleback are preyed upon at a higher rate than healthy ones. Hence, parasitized individuals have almost disappeared from the stickleback population in Lake Kvernavann, Norway.

scholarly journals Density-Dependent Habitat Selection in a Growing Threespine Stickleback Population

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ulrika Candolin ◽  
Marita Selin
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Perca Fluviatilis ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Offspring Production ◽  
Foraging Rate ◽  
Complex Habitat

Human-induced eutrophication has increased offspring production in a population of threespine sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusin the Baltic Sea. Here, we experimentally investigated the effects of an increased density of juveniles on behaviours that influence survival and dispersal, and, hence, population growth—habitat choice, risk taking, and foraging rate. Juveniles were allowed to choose between two habitats that differed in structural complexity, in the absence and presence of predators and conspecific juveniles. In the absence of predators or conspecifics, juveniles preferred the more complex habitat. The preference was further enhanced in the presence of a natural predator, a perchPerca fluviatilis(behind a transparent Plexiglas wall). However, an increased density of conspecifics relaxed the predator-enhanced preference for the complex habitat and increased the use of the open, more predator-exposed habitat. Foraging rate was reduced under increased perceived predation risk. These results suggest that density-dependent behaviours can cause individuals to choose suboptimal habitats where predation risk is high and foraging rate low. This could contribute to the regulation of population growth in eutrophicated areas where offspring production is high.

The temporal-spatial pattern of vertical migration by the freshwater copepod Skistodiaptomus oregonensis relative to predation risk

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 1350-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ghan ◽  
J D McPhail ◽  
K D Hyatt
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Threespine Stickleback

Skistodiaptomus oregonensis vertical migration in Kennedy Lake and Paxton Lake may be an adaptation to avoid predation by threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). In Kennedy Lake, juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and the mysid Neomysis mercedis are also predators that potentially drive the vertical migration. A corollary of the hypothesis that predation selects for vertical migration is that the extent and timing of the vertical migration decreases predation risk. This corollary is tested for each of the potential predators. Laboratory experiments indicate that stickleback feeding rate decreases below 1.6 µE ·s-1 ·m-2. In Kennedy and Paxton lakes, S. oregonensis occupied depths below this light intensity during the day. Furthermore, as S. oregonensis ascended at dusk and descended at dawn, they remained within light intensities that reduced stickleback predation rate. In Kennedy Lake, hydroacoustic data coupled with information in the literature on feeding behaviour of juvenile sockeye indicate that this species move to surface waters to feed before sunrise and after sunset. Vertically migrating S. oregonensis are near the surface during the twilight feeding periods of juvenile sockeye. The timing of S. oregonensis vertical migration also does not reduce the time it is in contact with the predator N. mercedis.

scholarly journals Diversity and sexual dimorphism in the head lateral line system in North Sea populations of threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus (Teleostei: Gasterosteidae)

Zoomorphology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Ahnelt ◽  
David Ramler ◽  
Maria Ø. Madsen ◽  
Lasse F. Jensen ◽  
Sonja Windhager
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Lateral Line System ◽  
Line System ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks

AbstractThe mechanosensory lateral line of fishes is a flow sensing system and supports a number of behaviors, e.g. prey detection, schooling or position holding in water currents. Differences in the neuromast pattern of this sensory system reflect adaptation to divergent ecological constraints. The threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is known for its ecological plasticity resulting in three major ecotypes, a marine type, a migrating anadromous type and a resident freshwater type. We provide the first comparative study of the pattern of the head lateral line system of North Sea populations representing these three ecotypes including a brackish spawning population. We found no distinct difference in the pattern of the head lateral line system between the three ecotypes but significant differences in neuromast numbers. The anadromous and the brackish populations had distinctly less neuromasts than their freshwater and marine conspecifics. This difference in neuromast number between marine and anadromous threespine stickleback points to differences in swimming behavior. We also found sexual dimorphism in neuromast number with males having more neuromasts than females in the anadromous, brackish and the freshwater populations. But no such dimorphism occurred in the marine population. Our results suggest that the head lateral line of the three ecotypes is under divergent hydrodynamic constraints. Additionally, sexual dimorphism points to divergent niche partitioning of males and females in the anadromous and freshwater but not in the marine populations. Our findings imply careful sampling as an important prerequisite to discern especially between anadromous and marine threespine sticklebacks.

Responses of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, L) transcriptome to hypoxia

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Leveelahti ◽  
P. Leskinen ◽  
E.H. Leder ◽  
W. Waser ◽  
M. Nikinmaa
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Threespine Stickleback

High predation risk for a small mammal: the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Law ◽  
Mark Chidel ◽  
Alf Britton
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

We report high rates of predation within a population of eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) near Sydney, observed during a study of the impacts of logging on the species. Predation by reptiles was observed on six of 61 radio-tracked pygmy-possums, while two were suspected of being taken by raptors. We further investigated predation by sooty owls (Tyto tenebricosa) by identifying remains in pellets. Pygmy-possums comprised 15% of the 126 dietary items identified. Predation occurred at both logged and unlogged sites in our study. We suggest that documented high rates of predation in our study could make the species vulnerable to altered predation regimes, such as influxes of feral predators, and highlight the need for a better understanding of any influence of logging on predator activity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document