Habitat Structural Complexity and the Interaction Between Bluegills and Their Prey

• DOI: 10.2307/1940122
• Publication Date: 2006-05-09T09:29:27Z
• Authors: Larry B. Crowder; William E. Cooper
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 01 natural sciences

Structural complexity of the habitat often reduces predatory efficiency by reducing prey capture rates. Prey density is positively correlated with structure because it pro- vides food and substrate to as well a relative refuge from predators. Dense inhibits foraging, allowing abundant, highly profitable coexist Sparse allows efficient foraging generally contains few prey. This suggests that feeding rates predators may be maximized at intermediate structure. If this true, we might also expect predator growth higher in habitats. Since diet breadth thought related encounter prey, diets narrower than either sparsely or densely structured Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) restricted experimental ponds varying vegetation grew better consumed more macrophyte fish held low high densities. Fish had expected due initial availability available macro- phyte density. ate fewer, but larger, thus expected. predation reduced total biomass mean size altered community removing large active invertebrate herbivores subsequent release smaller herbivores. These changes com- munity were mediated Habitat structure-food interactions added temperature presence variables influence use resources fishes.