A comparison of the functional ecology of visual vs. nonvisual foraging in two planktivorous marine fishes
Ryer, C.H.; Lawton, A.; Lopez, R.J.; Olla, B.L. (2002). A comparison of the functional ecology of visual vs. nonvisual foraging in two planktivorous marine fishes. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59(8): 1305-1314
In: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences = Journal canadien des sciences halieutiques et aquatiques. National Research Council Canada: Ottawa. ISSN 0706-652X; e-ISSN 1205-7533, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Plankton feeders
Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms > Fish > Marine fish
Behaviour > Feeding behaviour > Foraging behaviour
Ecology
Fish sizing
Interspecific relationships > Predation
Sablefish
Anoploma fimbria; Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas, 1814) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Ryer, C.H.
- Lawton, A.
- Lopez, R.J.
- Olla, B.L.
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| Abstract |
Some visually foraging planktivorous fish will facultatively engage in nonvisual foraging when opportunities arise or necessity dictates. Yet, little is known about the ecology of nonvisual foraging. We examined the roles of prey size, fish size, and prey density on the nonvisual foraging of walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma (40-100 mm total length), and sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria (66-89 mm), in the laboratory. Both species were size selective, disproportionately consuming large prey just as they do during visual foraging. Large prey were encountered more often, presumably because they were more easily detected by the fish's lateral-line system. When foraging visually, larger fish consumed more prey, but during nonvisual foraging, there was no foraging advantage to greater fish size. Unlike visual detection distances, lateral-line detection distances may not increase appreciably with fish size. Lastly, prey density influenced nonvisual prey consumption. Walleye pollock were characterized by a type I functional response, whereas sablefish were characterized by a type II functional response. Models of planktivore foraging typically assume negligible foraging by particulate feeders below their visual foraging thresholds. On the basis of this study and field data, we suggest that foraging models for particulate feeders, such as juvenile walleye pollock and sablefish, should account for nonvisual size-selective foraging. |
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