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Influence of environmental factors and individual traits on the diet of non-native hybrid bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix × H. nobilis) in Lake Balaton, Hungary

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Abstract

Planktivorous silver carp and bighead carp (collectively, the bigheaded carps) have been stocked worldwide and their invasion has caused severe impacts on many freshwater ecosystems. Exploiting the chance provided by the specific hybrid bigheaded carp stock in Lake Balaton (Hungary) covering the entire morphological range between the two species (including gill raker morphology), we implemented a comprehensive study (1) to reveal the feeding habits of hybrid bigheaded carps living in a mesotrophic, lacustrine habitat and (2) to assess how biotic and abiotic environmental factors and gill raker morphology affect diet composition. We found that all bigheaded carps utilized primarily zooplankton and neglected the scarce and inefficiently digestible phytoplankton, irrespective of gill raker morphology. Moreover, we observed strikingly high levels of inorganic debris consumption, but the proportion of inorganic matter in the guts was not associated directly with the concentration of suspended inorganic particles. Variance in the diet composition of bigheaded carps was related mostly to environmental factors, including the wind-induced resuspension of inorganic particles and seasonally variable availability of food resources. In conclusion, the effects of abiotic environmental factors and available food resources could overwhelm the effect of gill raker morphology in shaping the feeding habits of bigheaded carps.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by GINOP—2.3.2-15-2016-00004 and OTKA K-83893 projects. We thank I. Mecsnóbel and Z. Poller for their skilful assistance in the laboratory. We also acknowledge the useful comments of J. Syväranta and the helpful contribution of L. Antal to the figure preparation. Bigheaded carps for this study were provided by the Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd.

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  1. Attila Mozsár

    Present address: Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Anna-liget 8., Szarvas, 5540, Hungary

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Balaton Limnological Institute, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Klebelsberg K. str. 3., Tihany, 8237, Hungary

    Attila Mozsár, András Specziár, Izabella Battonyai, Hajnalka Horváth, Mátyás Présing, László G.-Tóth, Zoltán Vitál & Gergely Boros

  2. Tisza Research Department, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Bem sq. 18/C, Debrecen, 4026, Hungary

    Gábor Borics & Judit Görgényi

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  1. Attila Mozsár
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Mozsár, A., Specziár, A., Battonyai, I. et al. Influence of environmental factors and individual traits on the diet of non-native hybrid bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix × H. nobilis) in Lake Balaton, Hungary. Hydrobiologia 794, 317–332 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3137-z

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