Feeding behaviour determining differential capture success of evasive prey in underyearling European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.))

0356738 - BC 2013 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Peterka, Jiří - Matěna, Josef
Feeding behaviour determining differential capture success of evasive prey in underyearling European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)).
Hydrobiologia. Roč. 661, č. 1 (2011), s. 113-121. ISSN 0018-8158. E-ISSN 1573-5117
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) IAA600170502; GA AV ČR(CZ) KJB600960810
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60170517
Keywords : feeding efficiency * attack-distance * repeated strikes * schooling * Daphnia * Cyclops
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 1.784, year: 2011

The effect of feeding behaviour on the prey capture efficiency of young-of-the-year European perch and roach was investigated in laboratory experiments using planktonic crustaceans possessing different escape abilities—Daphnia sp. and Cyclops sp. Except for situations in which Daphnia was offered at high densities, the feeding efficiency of perch was significantly higher compared to roach in all other combinations of prey types and densities. Roach consumed significantly less prey compared to perch when feeding exclusively on the evasive Cyclops and when it was offered in a 1:1 ratio mixture with Daphnia. The distinct differences in feeding efficiency between perch and roach were closely related to differences in their feeding behaviour. Discontinuous searching for prey, vigorous attacks, occurrence of repeated strikes and the absence of schooling increased perch prey capture efficiency, particularly when foraging on evasive copepods.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0195180