Influence of body size and alternate prey abundance on the risk of predation to fish larvae

Abstract

The effects of variations in the abundance of microzooplankton (Artemia sp. nauplii) and the size of larval fish on the latter's vulnerability to predation by a vertebrate (three-spine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus were examined. Capelin, cod, and winter flounder larvae were used as prey. Results indicate that as the size of larvae approaches the size of the more abundant alternate prey, the likelihood of an attack may decrease owing to the presence of alternative prey. Whether the impact of increased microplankton abundance in the field would be greater through enhanced feeding of the larvae or reduced impact of the predator is unclear. -from Authors