Title | Density dependence of herbivorous central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum in stream mesocosms |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Pennock, CA, Gido, KB |
Journal | Ecology of Freshwater Fishes |
Volume | 26 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 313-321 |
Accession Number | KNZ001725 |
Keywords | Herbivory, Primary production, Resource limitation, stream fish |
Abstract | Herbivorous fish can have strong effects on stream ecosystem function by consuming primary producers and excreting limiting nutrients, but it is unclear whether they are resource limited. Thus, understanding factors regulating abundance of these fish might help predict ecosystem function. We used stream mesocosms to test whether populations of central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum exhibit density dependence across a range of typical densities and resource abundance found in Great Plains streams. We predicted that incrementally increasing stocking biomass from 3·7 to 24·9 g·m−2 would reduce standing stocks of resources resulting in lower growth of stocked fish. Fish growth (over 41 days) was compared to initial stocking biomass and primary production as well as standing stocks of algae and invertebrates using regression analysis. Mean growth of individuals was negatively associated with stocking biomass ( |
URL | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eff.12277 |
DOI | 10.1111/eff.12277 |