Volume 243-244, Number 1, 269-276, DOI: 10.1007/BF00007042

Ecological release in feeding behaviour: the case of bluegills in Japan

M. Azuma

View Related Documents

Abstract

The stomach contents were analyzed monthly for each year-class to elucidate the foraging pattern of bluegills in a small vegetated lake by the frequency occurrence and the lsquopointsrsquo methods. Seasonal dietary changes of the year-classes were considered comparing the monthly fluctuations in abundance of major prey organisms. Though these bluegills are dietary generalists and opportunists like those in North America, their foraging pattern was characterized by a relatively clearer dietary shift during ontogeny and a wider food niche including piscivorous than those of bluegills with congeners in their home land. Therefore this finding provides evidence of the ecological release caused by the absence of congeners.

Key words  dietary shifts - congener-free conditions - habitat use - piscivorous - lsquopointsrsquo method - community disturbance

Fulltext Preview

Image of the first page of the fulltext document