Using consumption rate to assess potential predators for biological control of white perch

Abstract

Key-words:biological control, predation, consumption rate, white perch, Morone americana Control of undesirable fishes is important in aquatic systems, and using predation as a tool for biological control is an attractive option to fishery biologists. However, determining the appropriate predators for biological control is critical for success. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of consumption rate as an index to determine the most effective predators for biological control of an invasive fish. Consumption rate values were calculated for nine potential predators that prey on white perch Morone americana in Branched Oak and Pawnee reservoirs, Nebraska. The consumption rate index provided a unique and insightful means of determining the potential effectiveness of each predator species in controlling white perch. Cumulative frequency distributions facilitated interpretation by providing a graphical presentation of consumption rates by all individuals within each predator species. Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, walleye Sander vitreus and sauger S. canadensis were the most efficient white perch predators in both reservoirs; however, previous attempts to increase biomass of these predators have failed suggesting that successful biological control is unlikely using existing predator species in these Nebraska reservoirs. RÉSUMÉUtilisation du taux de consommation dans l'évaluation des prédateurs potentiels pour un contrôle biologique de la perche blanche Mots-clés :contrôle biologique, prédation, taux de consommation, Le contrôle des poissons indésirables est important dans les écosystèmes aquatiques et l'utilisation de la prédation comme outil de contrôle biologique est une option attractive pour les biologistes des pêches. Toutefois, déterminer les bons prédateurs pour un contrôle biologique est crucial pour sa réussite. L'objectif de cette étude a été de tester l'utilité du taux de consommation comme indice de détermination des prédateurs les plus appropriés pour le contrôle biologique d'un poisson invasif. Les valeurs du taux de consommation ont été calculées pour neuf prédateurs potentiels de la perche blanche Morone americana dans les réservoirs

White Perch in Small North Carolina Reservoirs: What Explains Variation in Population Structure?

“…White Perch abundance has been directly linked to predation (Margulies 1990;Hartman and Margraf 1992;Vrtiska et al 2003). Gosch and Pope (2011) found that predation may increase stunting in White Perch populations if large predators remove older, larger (rather than younger, smaller) individuals from the population, thereby decreasing the overall size structure. Contrary to this pattern, Largemouth Bass in the present study did not consume many White Perch.…”

Trophic Niche and Diet Overlap between Invasive White Perch and Resident White Bass in a Southeastern Reservoir

“…Our conclusions raise questions about the best method to mitigate the potential impact of White Perch invasions. For systems where White Perch have already been introduced, control or eradication efforts through manual removals or stocking of potential predators have been unsuccessful (Vrtiska et al 2003;Gosch and Pope 2011). Therefore, we recommend that biologists concentrate on education and regulatory efforts to stop further introductions of White Perch in any effort to protect and maintain White Bass fisheries (Johnson et al 2009).…”

Molecular diet analysis reveals predator–prey community dynamics and environmental factors affecting predation of larval lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in a natural system

“…Species composition and size‐classes of predatory fish in a community can have important effects on predation levels of larval prey (Chalcraft & Resetarits, ; Parke et al ., ). Prey preferences (Silbernagel & Sorenson, ; Reiss et al ., ), foraging efficiencies (Scharf et al ., ) and consumption rates (Gosch & Pope, ) can vary greatly among predators. Recognition of certain species as important predators of larval fish can inform management decisions about harvest regulations, targeted removals, biological controls, or other strategies of predator control to improve recruitment of a target species (Carpenter & Mueller, ).…”