Trophic ecology of two non-native hydrozoan medusae in the upper San Francisco Estuary
Alpa P. Wintzer A B D , Mariah H. Meek C and Peter B. Moyle A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Center for Watershed Sciences, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
B Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
C Department of Animal Science, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: alpa@wintzer.us
Marine and Freshwater Research 62(8) 952-961 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10221
Submitted: 18 August 2010 Accepted: 10 May 2011 Published: 22 August 2011
Abstract
Blooms of some gelatinous zooplankton are increasing worldwide, often disrupting foodwebs. Invasions of non-native jellyfish are a growing problem in many estuaries, including the San Francisco Estuary, where at least two species of Ponto-Caspian hydrozoans, Maeotias marginata Modeer, 1791 and Moerisia sp., are abundant. The present study investigated their trophic ecology, testing the following hypotheses: (1) diets over the bloom and at the diel scale are comprised of a variety of prey items; (2) hydrozoans are generalist feeders; (3) hydrozoans feed on the larvae of declining fish species; and (4) the potential for prey competition exists between the hydrozoans and two declining planktivorous fishes, striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense). Both hydrozoans ate a variety of crustaceans, most notably calanoid copepods, which were found in greater proportion in the guts than in the environment. The only fish larvae consumed were gobies. Density of Moerisia sp., was negatively correlated with gut fullness for both fishes, and diet overlap was high between shad and hydrozoans, but low for bass. Because of strong spatial and temporal overlap between hydrozoans and shad, competition for zooplankton may be occurring. These hydrozoans have invaded other systems, and should be monitored to assess potential ecological interactions in these locations.
Additional keywords: diel, diet, Dorosoma petenense, intra-bloom, Maeotias marginata, Moerisia, Morone saxatilis.
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