An Experimental Study of Competition Between the Native Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus) and Introduced Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

摘要: The Sacramento perch (Archoplites interruptus), a sunfish (Centrarchidae) native only to the Central Valley of California, has been eliminated from most its range. To examine role interspecific competition in this decline, series experiments were conducted assess growth, aggressive behavior, and habitat use presence bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), an introduced centrarchid. indicate that (1) gain less weight show reduced growth when placed with bluegill, but interaction occurs food limitation, is not affected by overall fish density; (2) demonstrate behavior than become more they are conspicuously larger bluegill; (3) shift their bluegill. Overall results imply exhibit where mechanism dominance It suggested long term persistence may require free centrarchid fishes, or one controlled naturally variable hydrological regime.