Ontogenetic changes in the diet of the black-stripe minnow Galaxiella nigrostriata (Shipway, 1953) (Galaxiidae) and the salamanderfish Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Mees, 1961) (Lepidogalaxiidae)

Authors: Gill, H. S.; Morgan, D. L.

Source: Ecology of Freshwater Fish, Volume 12, Number 2, June 2003 , pp. 151-158(8)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Gill HS, Morgan DL. Ontogenic changes in the diet of the black-stripe minnow Galaxiella nigrostriata (Shipway, 1953) (Galaxiidae) and the salamanderfish Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Mees, 1961) (Lepidogalaxiidae).

Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2003: 12: 151-158. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003 Abstract -

Similarities in the diets of larval, juvenile and adult black-stripe minnow (Galaxiella nigrostriata) and salamanderfish (Lepidogalaxias salamandroides), collected from ephemeral pools in south-western Australia during the mid-wet, late-wet and dry seasons, were assessed. During the mid-wet season, both intra- and interspecific competition for a diminishing food supply was minimised through differences in prey utilisation by the various developmental stages of both species. During the late-wet season, the pools contained only juvenile G. nigrostriata and juvenile and adult L. salamandroides, the diets of which were vastly different. A shift towards terrestrial fauna by G. nigrostriata and the ingestion of greater proportions of larger benthic prey taxa by L. salamandroides minimised interspecific competition for food at a time when densities of zooplanktors were rapidly declining. Timing differences in the onset of aestivation ensures that no interspecific competition for food occurs during the dry season.

Keywords: larvae; aestivation; resource partitioning; south-western Australia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0633.2003.00012.x

Publication date: 2003-06-01