Dietary plasticity in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in response to long-term environmental change.

摘要: In the face of widespread environmental change impacts, there is a need to better understand mechanisms promoting flexibility and resilience ecosystem components such inform strategies for conservation. Glacial relict species are especially vulnerable changes. We investigated behavioural responses native, glacial species, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) long-term It was hypothesised that changes in feeding behaviour would occur as key intermediary reduction habitat availability (through climate eutrophication) or competitive interactions [with introduced roach (Rutilus rutilus)]. Stomach content analysis used assess diet 199 caught from Windermere, United Kingdom, months March, June, September November 2003–2007. The results were compared data 1940 1951 prior revealed marked increase contribution benthic invertebrates present diet. Stable isotope confirms stomach analysis, suggesting have switched their zooplanktivory towards benthivory. discuss possibility modification population expansion Windermere contributed Complementary studies suggest this shift more likely be response increasing than modification; however, further study required elucidate exact mechanism. Long-term sets these provide information useful determining directivity ecological capability respond change.