Walleye Sander Vitreus and Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu Interactions: An Historic Stable-isotope Analysis Approach

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2012

Departmental Paper Identifier

NRM-162

Abstract

The carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) values of Sander vitreus scales differed pre and postintroduction in treatment lakes among years following the introduction of Micropterus dolomieu. No difference of δ13C and δ15N in S. vitreus scales was found in control lakes where M. dolomieu were not introduced. In treatment lakes, S. vitreus δ15N increased and δ13C decreased. No relationship was found between S. vitreus and M. dolomieu abundance in the two treatment lakes. Size structure of S. vitreus and M. dolomieu was negatively correlated and condition of the two species was positively correlated. Although S. vitreus feeding habits may have changed in the treatment lakes after M. dolomieu introductions, evidence suggests that fitness-related factors (i.e. abundance and condition) of S. vitreus remained unchanged, indicating S. vitreus and M. dolomieu may coexist where M. dolomieu have been introduced.

Publication Title

Journal of Fish Biology

Volume

81

Issue

1

First Page

135

Last Page

147

DOI of Published Version

10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03318.x

Publisher

Wiley

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