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Variation in plant stem density and its effects on foraging success of juvenile bluegill sunfish

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Juvenile bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, are known to use beds of aquatic vegetation as a refuge from predators. This study examines the effects of increasing plant stem density on juvenile bluegill foraging. Three stem densities (100, 250 and 500 stems m−2), varying in their refuge potential for bluegills from predators, were tested. Results demonstrate that stem densities chosen as a refuge from predation (i.e. 500 stems m−2) significantly reduced bluegill foraging success and increased time required to capture prey. Therefore, juvenile bluegills seeking safety in vegetation may be faced with a trade-off between foraging success and effective refuge from predation when choosing among plant stem densities.

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  1. Vytenis Gotceitas

    Present address: Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, EOA 3C0, Canada

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  1. Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Vytenis Gotceitas

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  1. Vytenis Gotceitas
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Gotceitas, V. Variation in plant stem density and its effects on foraging success of juvenile bluegill sunfish. Environ Biol Fish 27, 63–70 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004905

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004905

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