Dispersal strategies of juvenile pike (Esox lucius L.): Influences and consequences for body size, somatic growth and trophic position

Authors: Nyqvist, M.J., Cucherousset, J., Gozlan, R.E., Beaumont, W.R.C. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: Ecology of Freshwater Fish

Volume: 29

Issue: 2

Pages: 377-383

eISSN: 1600-0633

ISSN: 0906-6691

DOI: 10.1111/eff.12521

Abstract:

Individual variability in dispersal strategies, where some individuals disperse and others remain resident, is a common phenomenon across many species. Despite its important ecological consequences, the mechanisms and individual consequences of dispersal remain poorly understood. Here, riverine Northern pike (Esox lucius) juveniles (age 0+ (young-of-the-year) and 1+ years) were used to investigate the influence of body size and trophic position (at capture) on the dispersal from off-channel natal habitats and the subsequent consequences for body sizes, specific growth rate and trophic position (at recapture). Individuals that dispersed into the river (“dispersers”) were not significantly different in body size than those remaining on nursery grounds (“stayers”). For trophic position, 0+ dispersers were of significantly lower trophic position than stayers, but with this not apparent in the 1+ fish. Following dispersal into the river, the dispersers grew significantly faster than stayers and, on recapture, were significantly larger, but with no significant differences in their final trophic positions. Early dispersal into the river was, therefore, not associated with early dietary shifts to piscivory and the attainment of larger body sizes of individuals whilst in their natal habitats, contrary to prediction. These results suggest that despite an increasing risk of mortality for individuals dispersing early from natal areas, there are long-term benefits via elevated growth rates and, potentially, higher fitness. Such early dispersal behaviour could be driven by early competitive displacement.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33011/

Source: Scopus

Dispersal strategies of juvenile pike (<i>Esox lucius</i> L.): Influences and consequences for body size, somatic growth and trophic position

Authors: Nyqvist, M.J., Cucherousset, J., Gozlan, R.E., Beaumont, W.R.C. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH

Volume: 29

Issue: 2

Pages: 377-383

eISSN: 1600-0633

ISSN: 0906-6691

DOI: 10.1111/eff.12521

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33011/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Dispersal strategies of juvenile pike (Esox lucius L.): influences and consequences for body size, somatic growth and trophic position

Authors: Nyqvist, M., Cucherousset, J., Gozlan, R., Beaumont, W. and Britton, J.

Journal: Ecology of Freshwater Fish

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

ISSN: 0906-6691

Abstract:

Individual variability in dispersal strategies, where some individuals disperse and others remain resident, is a common phenomenon across many species. Despite its important ecological consequences, however, the mechanisms and individual advantages of dispersal remain poorly understood. Here, riverine Northern pike (Esox lucius) juveniles (young-of-the-year and age 1+ year) were used to investigate the influence of body size and trophic position (at capture) on the dispersal from off-channel natal habitats, and the subsequent consequences for body sizes, specific growth rate and trophic position (at recapture). Individuals that dispersed into the river (‘dispersers’) were not significantly different in body size or trophic position than those remaining on nursery grounds (‘stayers’). Once in the river, however, the dispersers grew significantly faster than stayers and, on recapture, were significantly larger, but with no significant differences in their trophic positions. Early dispersal into the river was therefore not facilitated by dietary shifts to piscivory and the attainment of larger body sizes of individuals whilst in their natal habitats. These results suggest that there are long-term benefits for individuals dispersing early from natal areas via elevated growth rates and, potentially, higher fitness, with the underlying mechanisms potentially relating to competitive displacement.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33011/

Source: Manual

Dispersal strategies of juvenile pike (Esox lucius L.): influences and consequences for body size, somatic growth and trophic position

Authors: Nyqvist, M.J., Cucherousset, J., Gozlan, R.E., Beaumont, W.R.C. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: Ecology of Freshwater Fish

Volume: 29

Issue: 2

Pages: 377-383

ISSN: 0906-6691

Abstract:

Individual variability in dispersal strategies, where some individuals disperse and others remain resident, is a common phenomenon across many species. Despite its important ecological consequences, however, the mechanisms and individual advantages of dispersal remain poorly understood. Here, riverine Northern pike (Esox lucius) juveniles (young-of-the-year and age 1+ year) were used to investigate the influence of body size and trophic position (at capture) on the dispersal from off-channel natal habitats, and the subsequent consequences for body sizes, specific growth rate and trophic position (at recapture). Individuals that dispersed into the river (‘dispersers’) were not significantly different in body size or trophic position than those remaining on nursery grounds (‘stayers’). Once in the river, however, the dispersers grew significantly faster than stayers and, on recapture, were significantly larger, but with no significant differences in their trophic positions. Early dispersal into the river was therefore not facilitated by dietary shifts to piscivory and the attainment of larger body sizes of individuals whilst in their natal habitats. These results suggest that there are long-term benefits for individuals dispersing early from natal areas via elevated growth rates and, potentially, higher fitness, with the underlying mechanisms potentially relating to competitive displacement.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33011/

Source: BURO EPrints