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Bioturbation by cyprinid fish affecting the food availability for predatory water mites

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Summary

Field observations suggested that benthivorous fish, causing bioturbation, are able to effect the food availability for predacious water mites feeding on bottom dwelling chironomid larvae. This hypothesis was tested in the laboratory. In an undisturbed situation the predation rate exercised by the water mites on the tube dwelling chironomid Cladotanytarsus mancus was very low. However, when the sediment was disturbed, the predation rate increased substantially. The relevance of this for the field situation is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vakgroep Aquatische Oecology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Kruislaan 320, NL-1098 SM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Erik H. ten Winkel & C. Davids

Authors
  1. Erik H. ten Winkel
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  2. C. Davids
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ten Winkel, E.H., Davids, C. Bioturbation by cyprinid fish affecting the food availability for predatory water mites. Oecologia 67, 218–219 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384287

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384287

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