Influence of Fish Predation on Assemblage Structure of Macroinvertebrates in an Intermittent Stream

Abstract

Ahstrucf.-Despite considerable investigation of stream systems, the influence of fish predation on macroinvertebrate assemblages is still poorly understood and remains a controversial subject. We conducted a field experiment in an intermittent reach of Alum Creek in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, to examine the effects of predatory fish on macroinvertebrate assemblages. We tested the prediction that with pool isolation fish would have a top-down influence on macroinvertebrate assemblages. Overall, fish had a significant effect on both the density and assemblage structure of the macroinvertebrates in isolated stream pools. Assemblage effects may be linked to a feeding preference for relatively rare food items. These patterns were evident despite the loss of replicates (i.e., the drying of individual pools), indicating a strong short-term predator effect. We suggest that the use of different methodologies among studies makes it difficult to determine the influence of fish predation on macroinvertebrate assemblages in stream systems. Furthermore, we suggest that more realistic field experiments (i.e., with natural stream setting, hydrology, and substrata) must be conducted to fully understand and adequately address the question of the effects of fish predation on macroinvertebrates

Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages structure in two headwater streams, south-eastern Brazil

“…The importance of BM as an autochthonous food resource for fishes in rivers and streams is well documented in the literature (PREJS & PREJS 1987, LOBON-CERVIÁ & BENNEMANN 2000, ABELHA et al 2001, ABES et al 2001, CALLISTO et al 2002b, CASATTI 2002, WILLIAMS et al 2003, POUILLY et al 2004.…”

“…According to WILLIAMS et al (2003), some fish species show feeding preferences for special benthic organisms, independent of their abundance and presence in the sediment. Seasonality and human activities affect the density and richness of BM communities (BISPO & OLIVEIRA 1998, CALLISTO et al 2005, a fact that can justify the feeding plasticity common of freshwater fishes (ABELHA et al 2001).…”

“…The ability of these organisms to transform vegetal matter and detritus into animal tissues is important for the aquatic food web (VANNOTE et al 1980, MCCAFFERTY 1981, ALLAN 1995, GRAÇA 2001. Several benthic macroinvertebrates (BM) taxa, mainly Diptera, are important food items in the diet of the fish fauna (PREJS & PREJS 1987, ABELHA et al 2001, WILLIAMS et al 2003, POUILLY et al 2004.…”

Environmental influences on macroinvertebrate assemblages in headwater streams of northeastern Ohio

“…To characterize the aquatic habitat of each sample stream reach, channel substrate type (percentages of sand, silt, gravel, cobble, and boulder) was estimated visually within a 1 m wide area of stream channel bottom at the end of each segment (0, 33, 66, and 100 m) and averaged for the entire stream reach (Williams et al 2003a). The proportion of large wood habitat was estimated visually for each segment and averaged for the entire stream reach.…”

Shaping of macroinvertebrate structures in a small fishless lowland stream exposed to anthropopressure, including the environmental conditions

“…For example, Nicola et al (2010) claimed that in streams, benthic communities are most affected by water chemistry, and less by fish predation. On the other hand, Williams and Taylor (2003) found a significant influence of fish predations on the density and taxonomic structure of invertebrates in isolated pools of an intermittent stream. Moreover, Bonneau and Scarnecchia (2015) found that Cyprinus carpio can cause impoverishment of the macroinvertebrate taxa richness in streams.…”