Effect of Fish Size on the Filtering Efficiency and Selective Particle Ingestion of a Filter-Feeding Clupeid

摘要: Abstract We developed a model predicting the filtering efficiency of different sizes filter-feeding gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum. The is based on cumulative frequencies interraker distances gill rakers and was corroborated by feeding trials in which ingested suspended plastic microspheres plankton. proportion particles removed fish increased as function particle size, leveling off when diameters exceeded 35 μm for small (7.1–11.1 cm standard length, SL) 55 large (13.6–16.3 SL). According to selectivity index values computed from model, 5, 15, 25 SL would selectively feed larger than 19, 40, 63 μm, respectively. This change selective ingestion may explain why phytoplankton becomes less important diet this clupeid shifts its niche it increases length.