Longitudinal variation in fish prey utilization, trophic guilds, and indicator species along a large subtropical river, China.

ABSTRACT: Due to the heterogeneous distribution of resources along large rivers, understanding prey utilization by basin-scale fish assemblages remains a challenge, and thus, recognizing regional fish trophic guilds and indicator species is important. We analyzed the stomach contents of 96 fish species along the subtropical East River in China and identified 8 prey items (29 subcategories). Site-specific differences in fish diet composition (DC) revealed longitudinal shifts in utilized prey taxa, from upstream lotic to downstream semi-lentic items, and these were characterized by a decrease in the proportions of epilithic diatoms and aquatic insect larvae (Ephemeroptera and Chironomidae) accompanied by an increase in bivalves (Corbicula and Limnoperna), shrimps and fishes, and organic

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303697 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature