The influence of macrophytes on the feeding of fish larvae in a shallow brackish sea
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Kuupäev
2019
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Kirjastaja
Elsevier
Abstrakt
We studied the impact of the macrophyte stands on the feeding of fish larvae, paying special attention to feeding
on ciliates. Generally, the importance of ciliates as larval food has been overlooked or underestimated. Based on
our earlier observations we hypothesized that the consumption of ciliates by fish larvae is higher in vegetated
areas. Studies were carried out in a shallow Väinameri Sea (semi-enclosed Baltic Sea basin). Fish were sampled
over 3 years (2011−2013). We examined larval diet by gut segmentation and epifluorescence microscopy. The
study revealed that: (1) larval food intake and condition factors were generally higher in vegetated areas; (2)
ciliates represented a very important food source for larval fish; (3) in vegetated areas larval fish consumed more
ciliates than in open water areas; (4) larvae of piscivorous fish species tended to catch larger prey items. In
general our study suggests that larval growth may be better secured in vegetated areas.
This work was subsidised by institutional research funding of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (IUT 21-02, 2014–2018), Estonian Science Foundation grants (8511, (2010−2013); 8969, (2011–2014); 9102 (2012–2015)) and Swiss Grant for Programme “Enhancing public environmental monitoring capacities” (2012–2015). The data used are listed in the references, figures and tables.
This work was subsidised by institutional research funding of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (IUT 21-02, 2014–2018), Estonian Science Foundation grants (8511, (2010−2013); 8969, (2011–2014); 9102 (2012–2015)) and Swiss Grant for Programme “Enhancing public environmental monitoring capacities” (2012–2015). The data used are listed in the references, figures and tables.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
ciliates, larval fish diet, predation, aquatic plants, habitats, brackishwater environment, articles