Energy sources and ecological role of crayfishes in an Ozark stream: Insights from stable isotopes and gut analysis

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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Abstract

Energy sources for the crayfishes Orconectes luteus and O. punctimanus in the Jacks Fork River, Missouri, were quantified using stable isotopes (??13C and ??15N) and gut-content analysis. A dual-isotope mixing model indicated that about two thirds of crayfish production originated from allochthonous carbon sources, and 30-50% of crayfish production was derived from direct consumption of animal matter. Young-of-the-year crayfishes and adult O. luteus were more carnivorous than the larger adult O. punctimanus. Contributions of energy sources determined using the stable isotope mixing model were similar to results of gut-content analysis corrected for differential assimilation of dietary components. Proportions of crayfish production attributed to animal matter by these two methods were four to five times greater than estimates derived from uncorrected gut-content analysis. Unadjusted gut-content analysis overestimated the percentage of crayfish production from feeding directly on detritus. Production-based calculations of crayfish food consumption rates indicated that crayfishes were the dominant consumers of benthic invertebrates, detritus, and algae and may strongly influence lower trophic levels, organic matter processing, and energy flow in this system.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Energy sources and ecological role of crayfishes in an Ozark stream: Insights from stable isotopes and gut analysis
Series title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
DOI 10.1139/cjfas-54-11-2555
Volume 54
Issue 11
Year Published 1997
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
First page 2555
Last page 2563
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