Diet of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) following the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) introduction into Otsego Lake, NY
The unauthorized introduction of alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) into Otsego Lake has caused ecological changes related to trophic interactions in the zooplankton communities. To determine the effect of these changes on the diet of lake trout, gill nets and angler surveys were conducted to collect s...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.595.9736 http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/biofld/PUBS/ANNUAL/2003/(131)Diet of Lake Trout 1.pdf |
| Summary: | The unauthorized introduction of alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) into Otsego Lake has caused ecological changes related to trophic interactions in the zooplankton communities. To determine the effect of these changes on the diet of lake trout, gill nets and angler surveys were conducted to collect stomachs for analysis in the lab. Findings were compared to a lake trout study by the Department of Environmental Conservation before alewives were introduced (Sanford 1984). Shifts in the optimal levels of dissolved oxygen were observed due to the decomposition of algae, limiting the appropriate forage area for lake trout. Midges were the principal invertebrate prey for lake trout <450mm in total length in both studies. Diets of lake trout>450mm shifted from slimy sculpins (Cottus cognatus) to alewives as dominant fish prey. |
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