Phenology and species diversity in a Lake Huron ichthyoplankton community: Ecological implications of invasive species dominance

摘要: Abstract Ichthyoplankton communities are dynamic and vary spatiotemporally based on factors such as wind, water currents, phenology. Nonetheless, ichthyoplankton an indicator of spawning success in fish populations examining their community diversity composition can serve to provide information ecosystem integrity. Although some species may be transient, understanding distribution space time provides composition, abundance, habitat use during critical early life stages. We sampled the spring-summer 2008 2009 northern Lake Huron determine succession, along physical environmental gradients. Seasonal succession was similar both years, indicating well-defined patterns by populations. Invasive alewife, rainbow smelt, round goby were dominant with native stickleback also abundant. Shannon Entropy (H′) increased increasing temperature until late summer when H′ declined. decreased bottom depth distance tributary mouth important ecological role these features comparable or higher than that reported for other areas Great Lakes, prominence invasive our study is reflective disturbed state community, despite large reductions planktivorous since 2004. Continued monitoring will measuring impacts invasions stressors structure Lakes.