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Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
AUTHORS: Michael B. Flinn, Dalton D. Lebeda – Murray State University
ABSTRACT: Biological invasions can greatly reduce native species fitness. For example, invasive Asian carp have been shown to compete with and reduce body condition of native planktivores in the Illinois River. The objective of our study was to quantify the potential for competition between Silver carp and native Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad in Kentucky Lake - a large reservoir located in western Kentucky. We collected juvenile and adult populations of native planktivores and Silver Carp along with various endmembers of the aquatic community. We applied methods developed by Jackson et al. 2011 and Turner et al. 2010 to calculate quantitative metrics derived from stable isotope data and to construct core isotopic niches. We tested for significant differences in three quantitative metrics for the spring and summer seasons and calculated core isotopic niche overlap values to quantify the potential for competition. We found strong evidence suggesting a high potential for competition exists between juvenile Silver Carp and juvenile Gizzard Shad while a lower potential for competition exists between adults of the same species. Results also showed the weakest overlap between adult and juvenile Silver Carp and Threadfin Shad. Our data suggest that if food resources become limiting, invasive Silver Carp will compete with native planktivores in Kentucky Lake. Although any effort to reduce numbers of Silver Carp may be beneficial for the system, management plans that specifically reduce juveniles and opportunities for reproduction may be the most advantageous.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
French