Abstract
The effect of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) on invertebrate drift density was examined in three previously fish-free springbrooks. Drift density was studied during the day following the sequential introduction of: 1) empty cages, 2) cages containing trout, and 3) empty cages. Each period lasted three whole days, and drift density was measured at daytime and night-time every day. Control drift density was determined using empty cages in two similar springbrooks.
Night-time drift density of large Gammarus pulex L. (>3.9 mg DW ind−1) decreased compared to that of smaller size-groups following trout introduction, and was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the pre-introductory level after the trout had been removed again.
The daytime drift density of large G. pulex remained unchanged, as did both daytime and night-time drift density of smaller size-groups of G. pulex, and the other taxa investigated (Leuctra hippopus (Kempny), Leuctra nigra (Olivier), Amphimura sp., Nemoura flexuosa Aubert, and Baetis rhodani (Pict.)). No significant changes in drift density were observed in two control springbrooks.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allan, J. D., 1978. Trout predation and the size composition of stream drift. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23: 1231–1237.
Allan, J. D., 1982. The effects of reduction in trout density on the invertebrate community of a mountain stream. Ecology 63: 1444–1455.
Allan, J. D., 1984. The size composition of invertebrate drift in a Rocky Mountain stream. Oikos 43: 68–76.
Allan, J. D. & B. Malmqvist, 1989. Diel activity of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea) in a South Swedish stream: comparison of drift catches vs. baited traps. Hydrobiologia 179: 73–80.
Andersen, T. H., H. O. Hansen, D. Jacobsen, L. Krøjgaard & N. Poulsen, 1989. Ørreders (Salmo trutta L.) indvirkning på invertebratfaunaen i vandløb, med saerlig vaegt lagt på amphipoden Gammarus pulex L. (in Danish). Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Copenhagen, 84 pp.
Andersen, T. H., H. O. Hansen, T. M. Iversen, D. Jacobsen, L. Krøjgaard & N. Poulsen, 1992. Growth and feeding of 0+ Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) introduced to two small Danish streams. Arch. Hydrobiol. 125: 339–346.
Andersen, T. H., N. Friberg, H. O. Hansen, T. M. Iversen, D. Jacobsen & L. Krøjgaard, 1993. The effects of introduction of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) on Gammarus pulex L. drift and density in two fishless Danish streams. Arch. Hydrobiol. 126: 361–371.
Andersson, K. G., C. Brønmark, J. Herrmann, B. Malmqvist, C. Otto & P. Sjöström, 1986. Presence of sculpins (Cottus gobin) reduces drift and activity of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda). Hydrobiologia 133: 209–215.
Cooper, S. D., S. J. Walde & B. L. Peckarsky, 1990. Prey exchange rates and the impact of predators on prey populations in streams. Ecology 71: 1503–1514.
Culp, J. M., N. E. Glozier & G. J. Scrimgeour, 1991. Reduction of predation risk under the cover of darkness: avoidance responses of mayfly larvae to a benthic fish. Oecologia 86: 163–169.
Flecker, A. S. & J. D. Allan, 1984. The importance of predation, substrate and spatial refugia in determining lotic insect distributions. Oecologia 64: 306–313.
Flecker, A. S., 1992. Fish predation and the evolution of invertebrate drift periodicity: Evidence from neotropical streams. Ecology 73: 438–448.
Holomuzki, J. R. & J. D. Hoyle, 1990. Effect of predatory fish on habitat use and diel movement of the stream amphipod, Gammarus minus. Freshwat. Biol. 24: 509–517.
Iversen, T. M. & J. Jessen, 1977. Life-cycle, drift and production of Gammarus pulex L. (Amphipoda) in a Danish spring. Freshwat. Biol. 7: 287–296.
Newman, R. M. & T. F. Waters, 1984. Size-selective predation on Gammarus pseudolimnaeus by trout and sculpins. Ecology 65: 1535–1545.
Ringler, N. H., 1979. Selective predation by drift-feeding brown trout (Salmo trutta). J. Fish Res. Bd Can. 36: 392–403.
Short, T. M. & J. R. Holomuzki, 1992. Indirect effects of fish on foraging behaviour and leaf processing by the isopod Lirceus fontinalis. Freshwat. biol. 27: 91–97.
Skinner, W. D., 1985. Night-day drift patterns and the size of larvae of two aquatic insects. Hydrobiologia 124: 283–285.
Thorup, J. & C. Lindegaard, 1977. Studies on Danish springs. Folia Limnol. Scand. 17: 7–15.
Williams, D. D., 1990. A field study of the effects of water temperature, discharge and trout odour on the drift of stream invertebrates. Arch. Hydrobiol. 119: 167–181.
Williams, D. D. & K. A. Moore, 1982. The effect of environmental factors on the activity of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus (Amphipoda). Hydrobiologia 96: 137–147.
Williams, D. D. & K. A. Moore, 1985. The role of semiochemicals in benthic community relationships of the lotic amphipod Gammarus pseudolimnaeus: a laboratory analysis. Oikos 44: 280–286.
Zelinka, M., 1974. Die Eintagsfliegen (Ephemeroptera) in Forellenbachen der Beskiden. III. Der einfluss des verschiedenen Fischbestandes. Vestnik Czechoslovenske Spolecnesti Zoologicje 38: 76–80.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Friberg, N., Andersen, T.H., Hansen, H.O. et al. The effect of brown trout (Salmo Trutta L.) on stream invertebrate drift, with special reference to Gammarus pulex L.. Hydrobiologia 294, 105–110 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016850
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016850