Limited evidence of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) consumption by freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) in Lake Winnipeg |
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| Authors: | Caleb H.S. Wong Eva C. Enders Caleb T. Hasler |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Great Lakes Center, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222, USA;2. Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 625 E Liberty St, MI 48103, USA;3. Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;4. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office, Chicago, IL, USA;5. Lake Erie Biological Station, Great Lakes Science Center, US Geological Survey, 6100 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA;1. Great Lakes Center, SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA;2. CSRA, 1359 W. Elmdale Avenue Suite 2, Chicago, IL 60660, USA;3. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office, Chicago, IL, USA;4. Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant and Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;5. Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 5013 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, MN 55811, USA |
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| Abstract: | Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) may be a predator of the invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), which established in Lake Winnipeg in 2013. In this study, the diets, trophic position, and growth of 51 freshwater drum collected in 2019 (six years post-zebra mussel invasion) were compared to 64 freshwater drum sampled in 2000. Benthic insect larvae were the dominant food items in both years. Although mollusks occur in high densities in Lake Winnipeg, they were only consumed by a few freshwater drum in either sample year. Zebra mussels were not a frequent prey item in 2019 as they were only consumed by four of the sampled freshwater drum. Stable isotope analysis of white muscle tissue yielded similar δ13C and δ15N values in both years and were consistent with a benthic, insectivorous diet. Length-at-age data derived from otoliths revealed that the 2019 population had at least an equal growth rate to the 2000 population. Weight-at-length data suggested that fish condition was greater in 2019 than in 2000, which coincided with increased benthic macroinvertebrate density in Lake Winnipeg. Based on these findings, Lake Winnipeg freshwater drum continue to feed predominantly on insect larvae and not zebra mussels. |
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| Keywords: | Feeding ecology Aquatic invasive species Dreissenid mussels Age and growth Stable isotope analysis Diet |
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