Present address: Department of Limnology, Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 20, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Morphology in perch affects habitat specific feeding efficiency
Article first published online: 20 JUL 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00858.x
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How to Cite
SVANBÄCK, R. and EKLÖV, P. (2004), Morphology in perch affects habitat specific feeding efficiency. Functional Ecology, 18: 503–510. doi: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00858.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 20 JUL 2004
- Article first published online: 20 JUL 2004
- Received 22 September 2003; revised 27 November 2003; accepted 19 December 2003
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Keywords:
- Attack behaviour;
- foraging efficiency;
- search behaviour;
- trade-offs;
- trophic polymorphism
Summary
- 1Trophic polymorphism is a common phenomenon in many species. Trade-offs in foraging efficiency on different resources are thought to be a primary cause of such polymorphism.
- 2To test for a trade-off in foraging efficiency perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) were used from a population that differs in morphology between the littoral and pelagic habitat of a lake. Indoor aquarium experiments were performed with three different prey types in two different environments. It was predicted that the morphology of the individual would affect foraging efficiency in the different environments and on the different prey types through search and attack behaviour.
- 3Overall the foraging efficiency of perch was found to be related to individual morphology. A connection was also found between individual morphology and search and attack behaviour. Search behaviour but not attack behaviour was affected by the structure in the aquaria. Furthermore our results show that there are relations between search behaviour and detection rates and between attack behaviour and attack success.
- 4Our results give a mechanistic explanation for the differences in foraging efficiency between littoral and pelagic perch. These differences are probably driven by a functional trade-off between foraging performance and general body form.