Impact of predation by Mysis relicta on zooplankton in Flathead Lake, Montana, USA

Abstract

We documented major changes in the zooplankton community of Flathead Lake following the appearance of Mysis relicta. The three common cladocerans found in the lake decreased in abundance, most notably Daphnia longiremis which virtually disappeared from the lake. Copepods were also affected by M.relicta, especially Diacyclops thomasi which decreased in abundance by an order of magnitude. The only macrozooplankton species which seemed to benefit from the presence of M.relicta was Leptodiaptomus ashlandi. The varied responses of dominant zooplankton species appeared to be the result of a combination of factors. Laboratory feeding studies indicate that M.relicta preferred Cladocera over Copepoda, with the following order of feeding preference: Bosmina longirostris > D.longiremis > Daphnia thorata > L.ashlandi > D.thomasi. The two zooplankton species which declined most following the appearance of M.relicta showed the greatest degree of habitat overlap with M.relicta. Daphnia longiremis and D.thomasi, together with M.relicta, are cold stenotherms and were concentrated in the hypolimnion during the summer. Finally, another trait shared by D.longiremis and D.thomasi was the absence of a diapause stage, which made them vulnerable to predation by M.relicta throughout the year.