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Prey abundance, channel structure and the allometry of growth rate potential for juvenile trout
Author(s) -
ROSENFELD J. S.,
TAYLOR J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2009.00656.x
Subject(s) - predation , trout , foraging , abundance (ecology) , habitat , juvenile , biology , allometry , ecology , bioenergetics , invertebrate , fishery , juvenile fish , environmental science , fish <actinopterygii> , mitochondrion , microbiology and biotechnology
The application of a drift‐foraging bioenergetic model to evaluate the relative influence of prey abundance (invertebrate drift) and habitat (e.g. pool frequency) on habitat quality for young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) and yearling juvenile cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki (Richardson) is described. Experiments and modelling indicated simultaneous limitation of fish growth by prey abundance and habitat, where depth and current velocity limit the volume of water and prey flowing through a fish’s reactive field as well as swimming costs and prey capture success. Predicted energy intake and growth increase along a depth gradient, with slower deeper pool habitat generating higher predicted growth for both YOY and yearling trout. Bioenergetic modelling indicated that fish are constrained to use progressively deeper habitats to meet increasing energy requirements as they grow. Sensitivity of growth to prey abundance identified the need to better understand how variation in invertebrate drift and terrestrial drop affects habitat quality and capacity for drift‐feeding fishes.