Retinal structure relative to feeding in the rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 2840-2846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Williamson ◽  
Allen Keast
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Visual Sensitivity ◽  
Visual Direction ◽  
Fish Feeding ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Light Gathering ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

The morphology and organization of the retina of rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) were investigated relative to their feeding habits. Rock bass are primarily crepuscular benthic feeders (taking Anisoptera nymphs and crayfish), and bluegill are diurnal generalized predators of chironomid larvae, Cladocera, and Trichoptera. In individuals of equivalent body size, the rock bass was found to have a high-density area of double cone concentration (up to 18 000 cones/mm2) in the temporodorsal region of the retina. This indicates that the main visual direction for prey detection is below the horizontal plane. In the bluegill the distribution of photoreceptors is more even and the average value over much of the retina is 6000–7000/mm2, with accordingly greater intercone spacing. This is probably appropriate for a fish feeding throughout the water column under good light conditions. The eye of the rock bass is 20% greater in rostrocaudal diameter than that of bluegill of equivalent size, implying greater light-gathering capacity. Moreover, individual cones in the rock bass are larger in surface area. These features, and a greater degree of neural summation (with resultant high visual sensitivity), have been regarded as adaptations for feeding under dim light. Differences in diet and feeding behavior in these two species thus have a morphological basis.

Sexual differences in accumulation of mercury in four species of centrarchid fishes

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 944-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Nicoletto ◽  
Albert C. Hendricks
Keyword(s):  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Mercury Content ◽  
Lepomis Gibbosus ◽  
South Fork ◽  
The South ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Redbreast Sunfish ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

A 3-year study of fish from the South River, and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and the Shenandoah River in Virginia revealed significant differences in the muscle mercury content of males and females. Female rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris, redbreast sunfish, Lepomis auritus, pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus, and bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus contained higher levels of mercury than the males of each species. An analysis of these species indicated that sex-related differences in mercury levels were not due to differences in body size but may have been related to the onset of reproduction. For example, mercury levels in 1-year-old male and female redbreast sunfish were not significantly different: females averaged 0.66 μg Hg/g and males averaged 0.63 μg Hg/g. However, at 2 years of age, when redbreast sunfish first reproduce, females contained significantly more mercury than males: females averaged 0.84 μg Hg/g and males averaged 0.60 μg Hg/g. Analysis of the other species yielded similar results.

Branching complexity and morphological characteristics of coarse woody structure as lacustrine fish habitat

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 2110-2123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G Newbrey ◽  
Michael A Bozek ◽  
Martin J Jennings ◽  
James E Cook
Keyword(s):  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

The objective of this study was to quantify the physical characteristics of coarse woody structure (CWS) as fish habitat in a north temperate lake. Sixteen species of fish were observed in submerged CWS habitat. Branching complexity, distance above the bole, area below the bole, distance to other CWS, and water depth around CWS were significantly related to abundance of schooling cyprinids (Cyprinidae), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and walleye (Sander vitreus). Branching complexity was the most common characteristic of CWS related to richness, diversity, and total adult abundance of fish taxa, but was not correlated with the total lengths of fish found in submerged trees. Branching-complexity values ranged from 1 (simple) to 500 (moderately complex) in the littoral zone; for comparison, a living riparian conifer had a branching-complexity value of over 1000. Most CWS in the littoral zone was composed of simple trees without branching, but fish tended to inhabit CWS with branching-complexity values greater than 45. This study shows the importance of CWS with fine branching as littoral-zone fish habitat.

Planktivory in a Littoral-Dwelling Lake Fish Association: Prey Selection and Seasonality

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1114-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Keast
Keyword(s):  
Prey Selection ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
Chydorus Sphaericus ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Pimephales Notatus ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris ◽  
Lake Fish

A littoral zone assemblage of six planktivorous fishes (Pimephales notatus, Notropis heterodon, Fundulus diaphanus, Lepomis macrochirus, Ambloplites rupestris, Perca flavescens), and five zooplankter species, was analysed relative to three hypotheses concerning prey consumption: (1) Size-dependent predation will operate, as elsewhere. (2) Small-bodied planktivores, unable to handle larger prey, will take the most abundant zooplankter and not show species specialization. (3) The strongly cyclical nature of zooplankton populations will not permit fish species to specialize exclusively on zooplankton; there will be a negative correlation between zooplankton numbers and use of alternative prey, and at this time the planktivores will minimize competition by choosing different alternative prey. The first hypothesis was supported, the second and third partially so. The small specialist planktivores, P. notatus and N. heterodon, did not take the commonest small zooplankter, Bosmina longirostris: rather, they specialized largely on Chydorus sphaericus, feeding on it even when rare. Lepomis macrochirus, a generalise took largely B. longirostris, No species was exclusively planktivorous. The species only partly differed in alternative prey types eaten. Chironomid larvae were a regular item of diet of most species.

Diet of the endangered spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus) at the centre of its distribution in Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1712
Author(s):  
L. Marszał ◽  
M. Grzybkowska ◽  
D. Błońska ◽  
J. Leszczyńska ◽  
M. Przybylski
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Habitat Segregation ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Distribution In Europe

The feeding habits of spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus were investigated in a tributary of the River Vistula (Poland). To evaluate size-related patterns of resource use, fish were assigned to three size classes, defined according to size at first maturation: small (29–70-mm total length, TL), medium (71–90mm TL) and large (91–104mm TL). There was a significant ontogenetic shift in the feeding pattern among size classes, marked by differences in the proportion of the main taxonomic groups of prey consumed: small spirlin primarily consumed chironomid larvae, whereas medium and large spirlin showed a preference for Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera and imagines of unidentified insects. The proportion of prey taken from the water column was significantly lower for small- than medium- and large-sized spirlin. This difference was attributed to the benthic habits of small spirlin compared with medium and large spirlin. The shift to open water feeding in spirlin corresponded with sexual maturation, with habitat segregation between the smallest size class (comprising juveniles) and larger size classes (mature individuals). Size-specific changes in the diet composition of this species have not previously been documented.

scholarly journals River Otter, Lontra canadensis, Food Habits in the Missouri Ozarks

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan M. Roberts ◽  
Charles F. Rabeni ◽  
John S. Stanovick ◽  
David A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Lepomis Megalotis ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Longear Sunfish ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

The reintroduction of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) between 1982 and 1992 resulted in widespread occurrence of the species throughout the Missouri Ozarks. This study examined otter diets from the vicinity of two Ozark streams in relation to seasonal and spatial trends. Otter scats (N = 4750) were collected and analyzed from the Osage Fork River and Big Piney River during the summer and winter seasons of 2001 and 2002. During the winter (January-March), fish occurred in 86% of the samples. During the summer (June–August), occurrence of fish dropped to approximately 15% for both rivers. Seven families of fish were identified in the diets, with Centrarchidae being most common regardless of river or season. Within the Centrarchidae, the genus Lepomis (mostly Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis) was most common, with Micropterus (mostly Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu) and Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) also well represented. The mean age of Ambloplites consumed (mean = 3.3 years) was consistently older than that of either Micropterus (mean = 2.54 years) or Lepomis (mean = 2.78 years). Crayfish were recovered from a mean of 85.2% of scats in the winter and 99% in the summer. Smaller fish and crayfish were more common from the upper reaches of the streams while larger fish were prevalent in the lower reaches.

scholarly journals Feeding habits of Chironomid larvae (Insecta: Diptera) from a stream in the Floresta da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Henriques-Oliveira ◽  
J. L. Nessimian ◽  
L. F. M. Dorvillé
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Animal Remains ◽  
Aquatic Food ◽  
Main Food Source

Chironomids larvae are frequently one of the most abundant and diverse groups of insects in several kinds of aquatic environments. Also, they play a major role in the aquatic food webs, representing a major link among producers and secondary consumers. This work investigates the feeding behavior of the chironomid larvae present in the Rio da Fazenda, situated in the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between August 1994 and May 1995. Algae, fungi, pollen, leaf and wood fragments, animal remains, detritus and silt were the main gut contents found in the larvae studied. The main food item ingested by the larvae was detritus, except for the Stenochironomus whose main food source was leaf and wood fragments. Tanypodinae exhibited a large quantity of animal remains of several kinds in the diet. During the period studied it was observed that the diet of 16 genera (out of 24 studied) varied. Tanypodinae had mainly coarse particulate organic matter (> 1 mm) in the gut contents, while Chironominae and Orthocladiinae had fine particulate organic matter (< 1 mm).

Feeding Biology of the Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus

1968 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Keast
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
Progressive Change ◽  
Pomoxis Nigromaculatus ◽  
Feeding Biology ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris ◽  
Gill Raker ◽  
Diptera Larvae

In Lake Opinicon, Ontario, the diet of the black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, undergoes a progressive change from one in which planktonic Crustacea and small-bodied Diptera larvae predominate (in fish of body length from about 60 to 115 mm), to a diet of insect larvae and fish (in fish 160–240 mm). Most food items prove to be midwater forms and the Diptera larvae are almost entirely Chaoborus and Procladius, which are free-swimming in the water column at night.An unusual feature is the prolonged nature of the Cladocera-Copepoda eating phase, which continues into year III and to a body length of about 160 mm. Gill-raker counts show P. nigromaculatus to have a specialized screen with 25–29 rakers on the first arch. In this it differs from cohabiting centrarchids in Lake Opinicon, Ambloplites rupestris, Micropterus salmoides, and Lepomis macrochirus, in which the rakers on the first arch number only 8–12. In these species plankton feeding is restricted to the earlier stages.

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