Lake bathymetry and species occurrence predict the distribution of a lacustrine apex predator

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Hughes, M. R., Dodd, J. A., Maitland, P. S., Adams, C. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Wiley 2016
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic charr; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12919; http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1802914

This study examined the abiotic and biotic characteristics of ecosystems that allow expression of a life history called ferox trout, the colloquial name given to brown trout Salmo trutta adopting a piscivorous life history strategy, an apex predator in post‐glacial lakes in northern Europe. One hundred and ninety‐two lakes in Scotland show evidence of currently, or historically, supporting ferox S. trutta; their presence was predicted in logistic models by larger and deeper lakes with a large catchment that also support populations of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus.