Trophic relationships between a native and a nonnative predator in a system of natural lakes

Ecology of Freshwater Fish
By: , and 

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Abstract

Bull trout, a species of char listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, have been displaced from portions of their historic range following the introduction of nonnative lake trout. It has been suggested that competitive exclusion as a result of trophic overlap between bull trout and lake trout may be the causal mechanism associated with displacement of bull trout. This study used stable isotope data to evaluate trophic relationships among native bull trout, nonnative lake trout and other fishes in seven lakes in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Bull trout and lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to other fishes among lakes (δ15N ≥ 3.0‰). Lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to bull trout (δ15N = +1.0‰). Bull trout had greater δ13C values relative to lake trout in six of the seven lakes examined. Although both bull trout and lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to other fishes within lakes in GNP, differences in δ15N and δ13C between bull trout and lake trout suggest that they are consuming different prey species or similar prey species in different proportions. Therefore, displacement of bull trout as a direct result of complete overlap in food resource use is not anticipated unless diet shifts occur or food resources become limiting. Additionally, future studies should evaluate food habits to identify important prey species and sources of partial dietary overlap between bull trout and lake trout.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Trophic relationships between a native and a nonnative predator in a system of natural lakes
Series title Ecology of Freshwater Fish
DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0633.2011.00498.x
Volume 20
Issue 2
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Description 11 p.
First page 315
Last page 325
Country United States
State Montana
Other Geospatial Glacier National Park
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