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Effects of individual differences in foraging of pale chub on algal biomass through trophic cascades

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Abstract

The foraging behavior of pale chub, Zacco platypus in experimental ponds was observed and the fish were classified according to whether they predominantly employed near-bed cruising and bottom feeding (type B) or whether they exhibited sit-and-wait and near-surface cruising, with occasional drift and surface feeding (type S). Fish that exhibited both behaviors were classified as type I. The effects of pale chub on trophic cascades were examined in pools into which river water was pumped. Twenty pools were assigned to four treatments and contained either no fish, or six pale chub of type B, or of type I, or of type S. Fish behavior was consistent throughout the experiments, and was not related to body length or sex. All types of pale chub predominantly preyed on invertebrates, but type B consumed more benthic algae than did type S. The algal biomass in pools with types S and I was greater than that in pools without pale chub as a result of trophic cascades. In pools with type B fish, the number of algal-grazing invertebrates on the upper surface of tiles was reduced as in pools with types S and I, but algal biomass did not increase because of direct grazing by type B fish. The mechanisms of reduction of algal-grazing invertebrates were different between types B and S; type S predominantly preyed on invertebrates in the water current, whereas type B preyed on and threatened invertebrates on the upper surface of tiles and removed them. Individual differences in foraging mode had significant effects on the mechanism of trophic cascades.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Fukashi Onuma, Ayumi Ishihara and Keiko Kurosawa for their help during experiments, and Josho Fishermen’s Union for permission to capture pale chub. The present study observed all Japanese laws of animal experimentation and welfare. This work was supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) (20570028, 22570018) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

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  1. National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, 1088 Komaki, Ueda, 386-0031, Japan

    Osamu Katano

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Correspondence to Osamu Katano.

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Katano, O. Effects of individual differences in foraging of pale chub on algal biomass through trophic cascades. Environ Biol Fish 92, 101–112 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9820-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9820-4

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