Predation by Northern Pikeminnow and Tiger Muskellunge on Juvenile Salmonids in a High‐Head Reservoir: Implications for Anadromous Fish Reintroductions

Autor: David A. Beauchamp, Andrew C. Wilson, Erin D. Lowery, Kristin A. Connelly, Adam G. Hansen, Mark H. Sorel
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 145:521-536
ISSN: 1548-8659
0002-8487
DOI: 10.1080/00028487.2015.1131746
Popis: The feasibility of reintroducing anadromous salmonids into reservoirs above high-head dams is affected by the suitability of the reservoir habitat for rearing and the interactions of the resident fish with introduced fish. We evaluated the predation risk to anadromous salmonids considered for reintroduction in Merwin Reservoir on the North Fork Lewis River in Washington State for two reservoir use-scenarios: year-round rearing and smolt migration. We characterized the role of the primary predators, Northern Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis and tiger muskellunge (Northern Pike Esox lucius × Muskellunge E. masquinongy), by using stable isotopes and stomach content analysis, quantified seasonal, per capita predation using bioenergetics modeling, and evaluated the size and age structures of the populations. We then combined these inputs to estimate predation rates of size-structured population units. Northern Pikeminnow of FL ≥ 300 mm were highly cannibalistic and exhibited modest, seasonal, per c...
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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