Ecology and population status of trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) in western Lake Erie
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Abstract
Trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus is among the most abundant benthic species in Lake Erie, but comparatively little is known about its ecology. Although others have conducted extensive studies on trout-perch ecology, those efforts predated invasions of white perch Morone americana, Dreissena spp., Bythotrephes longimanus and round goby Neogobius melanostomus, suggesting the need to revisit past work. Trout-perch were sampled with bottom trawls at 56 sites during June and September 2010. We examined diets, fecundity, average annual mortality, sex ratio, and long-term population trends at sites sampled since 1961. Trout-perch abundance fluctuated periodically, with distinct shorter- (4-year) and longer-term (over period of 50 years) fluctuations. Males had higher average annual mortality than females. Both sexes were equally abundant at age 0, but females outnumbered males 4:1 by age 2. Diets of trout-perch were dominated by macroinvertebrates, particularly chironomids and Hexagenia sp. Size distributions of trout-perch eggs varied widely and exhibited multiple modes indicative of protracted batch spawning. A review of the few other studies of trout-perch revealed periodic fluctuations in sex ratio of adults, which in light of our evidence of periodicity in abundance suggests the potential for sex-ratio-mediated intrinsic population regulation. Despite the introduction of numerous invasive species in Lake Erie, trout-perch remain one of the most abundant benthic invertivores and the population is relatively stable.
Suggested Citation
Kocovsky, P., Stoneman, A.T., Kraus, R.T., 2014, Ecology and population status of trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) in western Lake Erie: Journal of Great Lakes Research, v. 40, no. 1, p. 208-214, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2013.09.004.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Ecology and population status of trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) in western Lake Erie |
| Series title | Journal of Great Lakes Research |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jglr.2013.09.004 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | International Association for Great Lakes Research |
| Publisher location | Toronto |
| Contributing office(s) | Great Lakes Science Center |
| Description | 7 p. |
| First page | 208 |
| Last page | 214 |
| Country | Canada, United States |
| Other Geospatial | Lake Erie |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |