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Trophic ecology of red roach ( Rutilus arcasii ) in a seasonal stream; an example of detritivory as a feeding tactic
Author(s) -
LOBÓNCERVIÁ JAVIER,
RINCÓN PEDRO A.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1994.tb00872.x
Subject(s) - detritus , trophic level , rutilus , biology , ecology , invertebrate , detritivore , population , diel vertical migration , fishery , demography , sociology , fish <actinopterygii>
SUMMARY 1. Diel feeding activity and diet of red roach ( Rutilus arcasii ) were determined on five occasions (February, April, June, August and November 1985) in a seasonal, fluctuating stream subject to severe summer droughts and cold winter floods. 2. Except in June, the two age groups of the population (1 + and >1+) fed mainly on detritus and showed no significant differences either in their feeding intensity or in the relative contribution of the main diet components (detritus, plants and invertebrates). 3. The size, abundance and availability of drifting invertebrates influenced red roach feeding. When drift was scarce or inaccessible, both age groups fed on detritus, plants, or a combination of the two. These niche shifts were a trophic tactic aimed at maintaining feeding when other, more nutritional and energetically valuable foods were scarce. 4. A comparison with other populations suggested that a detritus‐based diet had no major cost in the life history of the red roach. We hypothesize that the highly opportunistic trophic strategy of this Iberian endemic cyprinid is an adaptative response to seasonal Mediterranean streams.