Invasive species alter ontogenetic shifts in the trophic ecology of Lake Sturgeon ( Acipenser fulvescens ) in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario

摘要: Species invasions can alter food web structure and change ecosystem-level functioning, but it is often unclear how these may affect the life history of native species. The Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), a large long-lived fish species in Great Lakes, has increased abundance lower Niagara River nearby Ontario during period invasive species-induced ecosystem precipitated most recently by Dreissenid mussels (Driessena polymorpha Driessena bugensis) Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Material taken from cross-sections archived pectoral spines captured 1998–2000 2010–2012 were analyzed for stable isotopes across discrete growth zones to provide an ontogenetic assessment diet, diet analysis 2014 was conducted assess contribution prey. important prey item (86% weight) 2014, which corroborated results δ15N δ13C. after invasion exhibited changes that differed pre-Round patterns, though this effect weaker Values spine indicated non-linear increases trophic position with age rate enrichment invasion. We conclude establishment western changed feeding ecology Sturgeon, have positive on population