Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River
Abstract Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are a nonnative, planktivorous, and highly invasive species of cyprinid located throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Although they co-occur with largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), an abundant native predatory fish, their predator–prey relat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43470-7 |
| _version_ | 1797576618053468160 |
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| author | Eli G. Lampo Jon M. Vallazza Cory A. Anderson Levi E. Solomon Richard M. Pendleton Toby J. Holda James T. Lamer |
| author_facet | Eli G. Lampo Jon M. Vallazza Cory A. Anderson Levi E. Solomon Richard M. Pendleton Toby J. Holda James T. Lamer |
| author_sort | Eli G. Lampo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are a nonnative, planktivorous, and highly invasive species of cyprinid located throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Although they co-occur with largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), an abundant native predatory fish, their predator–prey relationship is poorly understood. This potential relationship warrants investigation as largemouth bass are large-gaped predators capable of exhibiting top-down control on planktivorous fishes. The objectives of this study were to determine if largemouth bass consume juvenile silver carp, and if there was a relationship between length of largemouth bass and length of silver carp consumed. Largemouth bass were collected from the La Grange Pool of the Illinois River using 60 Hz-pulsed DC electrofishing and their diets were analyzed (n = 389, total length = 70–578 mm). Evidence of silver carp was present in 18% of diets of largemouth bass that consumed fish. Lengths of consumed silver carp were estimated from the dimensions of their recovered chewing pads or pharyngeal teeth in the stomachs of largemouth bass. A significant relationship between length of largemouth bass and length of silver carp consumed (p < 0.001, F = 34.63, r2 = 0.61) was observed. Estimated total lengths of silver carp were 34–101 mm and were recovered from diets of largemouth bass that were 94–262 mm total length. These results indicate enhancement of native largemouth bass populations is unlikely to substantially reduce silver carp populations in the Illinois River or in other waterways where these species co-occur. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:55:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-58ae0f159b394bf4ad34f70e8bd93eab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:55:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-58ae0f159b394bf4ad34f70e8bd93eab2023-11-19T13:08:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-10-0113111010.1038/s41598-023-43470-7Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois RiverEli G. Lampo0Jon M. Vallazza1Cory A. Anderson2Levi E. Solomon3Richard M. Pendleton4Toby J. Holda5James T. Lamer6Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesUnited States Geological SurveyUnited States Forest Service Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Natural Resources, Cornell University Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAbstract Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are a nonnative, planktivorous, and highly invasive species of cyprinid located throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Although they co-occur with largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), an abundant native predatory fish, their predator–prey relationship is poorly understood. This potential relationship warrants investigation as largemouth bass are large-gaped predators capable of exhibiting top-down control on planktivorous fishes. The objectives of this study were to determine if largemouth bass consume juvenile silver carp, and if there was a relationship between length of largemouth bass and length of silver carp consumed. Largemouth bass were collected from the La Grange Pool of the Illinois River using 60 Hz-pulsed DC electrofishing and their diets were analyzed (n = 389, total length = 70–578 mm). Evidence of silver carp was present in 18% of diets of largemouth bass that consumed fish. Lengths of consumed silver carp were estimated from the dimensions of their recovered chewing pads or pharyngeal teeth in the stomachs of largemouth bass. A significant relationship between length of largemouth bass and length of silver carp consumed (p < 0.001, F = 34.63, r2 = 0.61) was observed. Estimated total lengths of silver carp were 34–101 mm and were recovered from diets of largemouth bass that were 94–262 mm total length. These results indicate enhancement of native largemouth bass populations is unlikely to substantially reduce silver carp populations in the Illinois River or in other waterways where these species co-occur.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43470-7 |
| spellingShingle | Eli G. Lampo Jon M. Vallazza Cory A. Anderson Levi E. Solomon Richard M. Pendleton Toby J. Holda James T. Lamer Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River Scientific Reports |
| title | Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River |
| title_full | Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River |
| title_fullStr | Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River |
| title_short | Predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size-selective in the Illinois River |
| title_sort | predation of invasive silver carp by native largemouth bass is size selective in the illinois river |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43470-7 |
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