Abstract
We examined characteristics of the invertebrates consumed by mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and green-winged teals (Anas crecca) and responses of these invertebrates to manipulations of flooding date in Suisun Marsh, Solano County, CA. Numbers ofChironomus stigmaterus midge larvae (Chironomidae) andEogammarus confervicolus amphipods (Gammaridae) in mallard esophageal samples were positively correlated with abundance of these invertebrates in wetlands. Mallards primarily consumed large midge larvae (fourth instars) and amphipods (>5 mm in length). Smaller green-winged teals consumed smaller midges. Mallards consumed fewTrichocorixa verticalis water boatmen (Corixidae) orCricotopus sylvestris midge larvae, despite their being abundant. Wetlands first flooded in early September had higher winter populations of amphipods andBerosus ingeminatus beetle larvae (Hydrophilidae) than wetlands first flooded in late October. Late-winter abundance of benthicC. stigmaterus midge larvae was highest at 40-cm water depths in the former habitats and at 20-cm depths in the latter habitats.
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Batzer, D.P., McGee, M., Resh, V.H. et al. Characteristics of invertebrates consumed by mallards and prey response to wetland flooding schedules. Wetlands 13, 41–49 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160864
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160864