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Predation by longfin smelt ( Spirinchus thaleichthys ) on the mysid Neomysis mercedis in Lake Washington
Author(s) -
Chigbu P.,
Sibley T. H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.1998.00354.x
Subject(s) - smelt , predation , biology , intraspecific competition , abundance (ecology) , ecology , fishery , zoology , fish <actinopterygii>
Summary 1. Longfin smelt and mysid samples collected in Lake Washington from 1988 to 1992 were examined, and historic data on smelt and mysid abundance were reviewed to assess the impacts of smelt predation on Neomysis mercedis . The feeding habits of smelt were also examined for differences between odd and even years, and seasonal and ontogenetic variations in smelt diet were described. 2. A reciprocal relationship in the abundance of 1+ smelt and Neomysis suggested that smelt regulate mysid abundance in the lake. 3. The proportion of smelt diet contributed by mysids was higher for less abundant year classes of smelt. 4. These results indicate that intraspecific competition for scarce mysids occurs in the even‐year classes of smelt.