Preference of redear sunfish on zebra mussels and rams-horn snails
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Abstract
We tested prey preferences of adult (200- to 222-mm long) redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) on two size classes of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and two-ridge rams-horns (Helisoma anceps) in experimental aquaria. We also tested physical limitations on consuming these mollusks and determined prey bioenergetic profitability. Redear sunfish strongly preferred rams-horns over zebra mussels, but they displayed no size preference for either prey. Ingestion was not physically limited since both prey species up to 15-mm long fit within the pharyngeal gapes of redear sunfish. Rams-horns were more bioenergetically profitable than zebra mussels and ingestion of rams-horn shell fragments was about three times less than zebra mussels. Rams-horns were somewhat more resistant to shell-crushing, but all size ranges of both prey species tested were crushable by redear sunfish. These studies suggested that the redear sunfish should not be considered a panacea for biological control of zebra mussels.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Preference of redear sunfish on zebra mussels and rams-horn snails |
| Series title | Journal of Freshwater Ecology |
| DOI | 10.1080/02705060.1995.9663416 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 1995 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Contributing office(s) | Great Lakes Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 49 |
| Last page | 56 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |