The diet of herring gulls during the nesting period in Canadian waters of the Great Lakes

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1075-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Fox ◽  
L. J. Allan ◽  
D. V. Weseloh ◽  
P. Mineau
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Larus Argentatus ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Herring Gull ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
The One

We report the content of 132 boli and 2000 pellets regurgitated by adults and 1749 boli regurgitated for or by chicks in 25 herring gull (Larus argentatus) colonies in Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior, between mid-April and mid-July, 1977–1983. Fish were the predominant food in all four lakes. Although 11 families of fish and a minimum of 16 species were identified, 80% of the fish were of two exotic species, the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and the rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax). The dietary importance of these two fish species reflected their relative abundance within a lake. In addition, representatives of eight orders of insects and 11 families of birds were identified. In the one colony where diets of birds of known sex were quantified, male and female gulls fed on different proportions of alewife and smelt, suggesting the sexes have different foraging strategies. Although some food was scavenged, most was obtained alive. Dietary differences existed between colonies and between lakes, both within and between years. We suggest that diet, contaminant burden, and population size of Great Lakes herring gulls will be affected by fisheries policies which alter the predator–prey dynamics of this exotic-dominated ecosystem.

Early Life Stage Mortality Syndrome in Fishes of the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea

1998 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Thiamine Content ◽  
Lake Variation

<em>Abstract</em>.—Thiamine concentrations in representative Great Lakes prey fish, including alewives <em>Alosa pseudoharengus</em>, rainbow smelt <em>Osmerus mordax</em>, slimy sculpin <em>Cottus cognatus</em>, bloater chub <em>Coregonus hoyi</em>, and lake herring <em>Coregonus artedi</em>, and their major dietary items, including mysids <em>Mysis relicta</em>, amphipods <em>Diporeia hoyi</em>, and net macroplankton, were measured to assess their potential involvement in depressed thiamine concentrations in lake trout <em>Salvelinus namaycush </em>of the Great Lakes. Mean thiamine concentrations in all biota were greater than the recommended dietary intake of 3.3 nmol/g for prevention of effects on growth, although the adequacy of these concentrations for reproduction is not known. Mean thiamine concentrations decreased in the order alewives > bloater chub, herring > smelt and differed from the order of associated egg thiamine concentrations published for lake trout feeding on these species (herring > alewives, smelt). As a result, these data strongly implicate the high thiaminase content, rather than the low thiamine content, of alewives and smelt as being responsible for the low egg thiamine concentrations of Great Lakes lake trout stocks that feed heavily on these species. Variations in thiamine content among prey species did not appear to be related to levels in their diet, because thiamine concentrations in <em>Mysis</em>, <em>Diporeia</em>, and macroplankton showed little consistency between group or between lake variation. There was no lake to lake variation in mean thiamine concentrations of prey species, but considerable within species variation occurred that was unrelated to size.

Early Life Stage Mortality Syndrome in Fishes of the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea

1998 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Inland Lakes ◽  
Early Mortality Syndrome ◽  
Thiamine Content

<em>Abstract</em>.—Lake trout <em>Salvelinus namaycush </em>eggs were collected from 18 separate locations in the Great Lakes and inland lakes to evaluate the relationship between diet and egg thiamine content. Thiamine concentrations in the eggs of lake trout whose diet consisted primarily of rainbow smelt <em>Osmerus mordax </em>and alewife <em>Alosa pseudoharengus </em>were one-ninth to one-seventeenth those of eggs of lake trout whose diet lacked either of these two species and was composed of lake herring <em>Coregonus artedi</em>, yellow perch <em>Perca flavescens</em>, cyprinids, or invertebrates. Within the Great Lakes, concentrations of thiamine in the eggs of lake trout increased in the order Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Huron < Superior and reflected the proportion of smelt, alewives, or both in the diet. Of the three forms of thiamine found in eggs, free thiamine was the most important and the form most affected by a diet of alewives or smelt. Collections from inland lakes were similar in terms of thiamine content and its relationship to diet composition. Average free thiamine concentrations in lake trout from Lakes Ontario, Erie, Michigan, and Huron were 1.5 to 4 times a threshold of 0.8 nmol/g that has been associated with the development of a thiamine-responsive early mortality syndrome. In contrast, the concentration of free thiamine in Lake Superior lake trout eggs was 26 times the threshold. We concluded that the reduction in egg thiamine concentrations in lake trout whose diet was primarily smelt or alewives was the result of their high thiaminase content, because published thiamine contents could not explain the patterns observed. Egg thiamine concentrations in lake trout were unaffected by maternal age.

Spatial and temporal differences in the diet of Great Lakes herring gulls (Larus argentatus): evidence from stable isotope analysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig E Hebert ◽  
J Laird Shutt ◽  
Keith A Hobson ◽  
DV Chip Weseloh
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Great Lakes ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Laurentian Great Lakes ◽  
Larus Argentatus ◽  
Herring Gull ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
Egg Formation

Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope values were measured in lipid-free homogenates of herring gull (Larus argentatus) eggs collected from the Laurentian Great Lakes during 1974-1995. δ15N values provided an indication of adult gull trophic position during egg formation. After adjustment of egg δ15N values for interlake differences in baseline food web δ15N signatures, significant differences in gull trophic position were found among colonies. These results were attributed to differing proportions of fish in the diets of gulls from the various colonies. Aquatic foods available to gulls had greater δ15N values than terrestrial foods. δ13C measurements provided some support for our hypothesis that terrestrial foods, particularly garbage, were more enriched in 13C than aquatic foods. As the proportion of fish in the diet decreased, the fraction consisting of terrestrial food increased, resulting in an increase in δ13C values and a decline in δ15N values. Stable isotope values for gull eggs from Lake Erie changed significantly during the study period and may have reflected a decline in fish availability.

Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) as Indicators of Organochlorine Contamination in Lake Ontario

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1401-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Norstrom ◽  
D. J. Hallett ◽  
R. A. Sonstegard
Keyword(s):  
Bioconcentration Factor ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Kisutch ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Larus Argentatus ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Herring Gull ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
Western Lake

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in the Great Lakes depend to a large extent on alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) and smelt (Osmerus mordax) for their food. All of these species range widely in the lakes, and therefore provide an integrated measure of levels of organochlorine contaminants in the lakes. Organochlorine residues were determined in herring gull eggs from four eastern Lake Ontario colonies, coho salmon from western Lake Ontario, and pooled alewife and smelt from the stomach contents of the salmon. The mean apparent bioconcentration factor was 2.9 ± 0.7 for accumulation of PCBs, DDE, mirex, photomirex, HCB, dieldrin, and DDD in coho salmon muscle from alewives and smelt. The salmon had a mean weight of 2.4 kg and a mean lipid content of 8.2%. The bioconcentration factor was 50 ± 10 for accumulation of PCBs with more than five chlorines, DDE, mirex, and photomirex in herring gull eggs. PCBs with fewer than six chlorines, HCB, dieldrin, and DDD were concentrated to a lesser extent in herring gull eggs. Assuming an apparent bioconcentration factor from water of 5 × 105 for accumulation of PCBs, DDE, mirex, and photomirex in smelt and alewives, the corresponding values in coho salmon and herring gull eggs were 1.5 × 106 and 2.5 × 107. Key words: bioconcentration, residue, alewives, smelt, PCBs, DDE, mirex, photomirex, HCB, dieldrin

Consumption of two exotic zooplankton by alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in three Laurentian Great Lakes

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 1314-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J Storch ◽  
Kimberly L Schulz ◽  
Carla E Cáceres ◽  
Peter M Smyntek ◽  
John M Dettmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Bythotrephes Longimanus ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Gut Content ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Cercopagis Pengoi

Introductions of the zooplankton Bythotrephes longimanus and Cercopagis pengoi into the Great Lakes have drawn attention surrounding their suitability as prey for zooplanktivorous fishes. We used gut contents and stable carbon isotopes to quantify differential consumption and selection of the exotics by alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Ontario. The exotics were more often consumed by alewife (up to 70% of gut content biomass) than by smelt (up to 25% of gut content biomass). Measured stable carbon isotope ratios of fish and ratios predicted from mixing models confirmed that the “snapshot” descriptions of diet through gut contents were representative of longer-term diets. While B. longimanus generally was selected for (14 of 17 sampling dates), C. pengoi was not a preferred prey item. Cercopagis pengoi was sometimes a large component of alewife diet because of its high densities in the environment. The exotic zooplankton are more important for alewife than for smelt, and consumption of the cladocerans varies throughout the growing season and among lakes, generally related to patterns of exotic abundance. Effects associated with consumption of the exotics should be high in alewife-dominated systems invaded by B. longimanus or large numbers of C. pengoi.

Distribution of Parental Investment and Sibling Competition in the Herring Gull, Larus Argentatus

Behaviour ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 134 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 961-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Qu ◽  
Jennifer Davis
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Parental Investment ◽  
Larus Argentatus ◽  
Herring Gull ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hatching Synchrony ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Older Siblings

AbstractHerring gulls, Larus argentatus, typically lay three eggs. The third laid egg is smaller, hatches later, and hatches a lighter, smaller chick than the first two. The third hatched chick also has a lower chance of survival. Observations of parent-chick and chick-chick interactions were conducted at two Ontario sites in the Great Lakes to determine whether and how parents might behaviorally bias investment in their chicks after the incubation period, and how interactions among chicks might add to the third chick disadvantage. Little evidence was found for behavioral discrimination against the third chick by either its parents or its siblings. The last hatched (C) chick was not less likely than its older siblings (A or B) to get to the food first, and while A and B were more likely to target C when initiating tugs-of-war over food, they were not more likely than C to initiate tugs-of-war in general. C pecked siblings the most, and, despite its younger age and smaller size, was not more likely to lose tugs-of-war with its siblings. It is likely that the locations where this study was conducted represent relatively benign environment in which to raise chicks compared to the marine populations observed in other studies. Given this, parents might be expected to reduce chick asymmetries if they are able. There was a high degree of hatching synchrony in Hamilton Harbor. In 7 out of 28 nests the C chick hatched on the same day as the B or A and B chicks.

Fish community change in Lake Superior, 1970–2000

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 1552-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles R Bronte ◽  
Mark P Ebener ◽  
Donald R Schreiner ◽  
David S DeVault ◽  
Michael M Petzold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Community Agencies ◽  
Natural Reproduction

Changes in Lake Superior's fish community are reviewed from 1970 to 2000. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) stocks have increased substantially and may be approaching ancestral states. Lake herring (Coregonus artedi) have also recovered, but under sporadic recruitment. Contaminant levels have declined and are in equilibrium with inputs, but toxaphene levels are higher than in all other Great Lakes. Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control, harvest limits, and stocking fostered recoveries of lake trout and allowed establishment of small nonnative salmonine populations. Natural reproduction supports most salmonine populations, therefore further stocking is not required. Nonnative salmonines will likely remain minor components of the fish community. Forage biomass has shifted from exotic rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) to native species, and high predation may prevent their recovery. Introductions of exotics have increased and threaten the recovering fish community. Agencies have little influence on the abundance of forage fish or the major predator, siscowet lake trout, and must now focus on habitat protection and enhancement in nearshore areas and prevent additional species introductions to further restoration. Persistence of Lake Superior's native deepwater species is in contrast to other Great Lakes where restoration will be difficult in the absence of these ecologically important fishes.

scholarly journals The herring gull Larus argentatus as a likely transmitting agent of Salmonella montevideo to sheep and cattle

1983 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Coulson ◽  
J. Butterfield ◽  
C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Circumstantial Evidence ◽  
Larus Argentatus ◽  
Herring Gull ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Original Source ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
Wintering Area

SUMMARYThis paper presents evidence for the involvement of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) as vectors in the recent outbreaks of Salmonella montevideo in sheep and cattle in Scotland and suggests that the transfer can take place over considerable distances. The breeding area in Scotland of herring gulls which overwinter in N.E. England is remarkably similar to the geographical distribution of the outbreaks. This pattern, together with the feeding behaviour of herring gulls on farmland, the presence of S. montevideo in herring gulls just before their departure from the wintering area and the timing of the return just before the peak of outbreaks are all circumstantial evidence implicating this gull in the outbreaks. The rapid return of these gulls to their breeding areas means that S. montevideo can be transported long distances in one day and raises the possibility that the original source of S. montevideo could have been in N. E. England rather than in Scotland.

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