Ontogenetic Variation in Food Consumption of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a Central New York Stream

Journal of Freshwater Ecology
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Abstract

We examined feeding periodicity of three size groups of the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) at four-hour intervals over a 28-hour period during July in a headwater stream of the Susquehanna River drainage in central New York. Feeding activity was expressed as the ratio of stomach weight divided by the crayfish wet weight. The diel food consumption patterns of all three size groups of rusty crayfish (i.e., ≤ 10 mm, 11–20 mm, and > 20 mm carapace length) were significantly different. Peak feeding of the smallest crayfish occurred during crepuscular periods. Food consumption of the intermediate size crayfish was highest at 2000 h, and feeding of large crayfish was consistently high from 1200 h to 0400 h. Feeding intensity of both small and intermediate size crayfish was highest when feeding intensity of large crayfsh was lowest. Ontogenetic differences in feeding periodicity may be associated with predation pressure from large rusty crayfish on smaller individuals.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Ontogenetic Variation in Food Consumption of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a Central New York Stream
Series title Journal of Freshwater Ecology
DOI 10.1080/02705060.2010.9664357
Volume 25
Issue 1
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Freshwater Ecology
First page 59
Last page 64
Country United States
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