Influences on Bythotrephes longimanus life-history characteristics in the Great Lakes

Steven A. Pothoven; Henry A. Vanderploeg; David M. Warner; Jeffrey S. Schaeffer; Stuart A. Ludsin; Randall M. Claramunt; Thomas F. Nalepa

doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2011.10.003

USGS · 70041367

Influences on Bythotrephes longimanus life-history characteristics in the Great Lakes

Steven A. Pothoven·Henry A. Vanderploeg·David M. Warner·Jeffrey S. Schaeffer·Stuart A. Ludsin·Randall M. Claramunt·Thomas F. Nalepa

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Abstract

We compared Bythotrephes population demographics and dynamics to predator (planktivorous fish) and prey (small-bodied crustacean zooplankton) densities at a site sampled through the growing season in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Although seasonal average densities of Bythotrephes were similar across lakes (222/m 2 Erie, 247/m 2 Huron, 162/m 2 Michigan), temporal trends in abundance differed among lakes. In central Lake Erie where Bythotrephes ' prey assemblage was dominated by small individuals (60%), where planktivorous fish densities were high (14,317/ha), and where a shallow water column limited availability of a deepwater refuge, the Bythotrephes population was characterized by a small mean body size, large broods with small neonates, allocation of length increases mainly to the spine rather than to the body, and a late summer population decline. By contrast, in Lake Michigan where Bythotrephes ' prey assemblage was dominated by large individuals (72%) and planktivorous fish densities were lower (5052/ha), the Bythotrephes population was characterized by a large mean body size (i.e., 37–55% higher than in Erie), small broods with large neonates, nearly all growth in body length occurring between instars 1 and 2, and population persistence into fall. Life-history characteristics in Lake Huron tended to be intermediate to those found in Lakes Michigan and Erie, reflecting lower overall prey and predator densities (1224/ha) relative to the other lakes. Because plasticity in life history can affect interactions with other species, our findings point to the need to understand life-history variation among Great Lakes populations to improve our ability to model the dynamics of these ecosystems.

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Journal of Great Lakes Research Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.4° to 48.88° latitude; -92.11° to -76.0002° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Steven A. Pothoven, Henry A. Vanderploeg, David M. Warner, Jeffrey S. Schaeffer, Stuart A. Ludsin, Randall M. Claramunt, Thomas F. Nalepa. 2012. Influences on Bythotrephes longimanus life-history characteristics in the Great Lakes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2011.10.003

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