Consumption Rates, Evacuation Rates and Diets of Pygmy Killifish, Leptolucania ommata, and Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis in the Okefenokee Swamp

Author(s)

J. Douglas Oliver, Liberty UniversityFollow

Publication Date

12-1991

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Biology | Chemistry

Comments

Published in Brimleyana 17:89-103, 1991.

Abstract

I studied feeding dynamics of Leptolucania ommata and Gambusia affinis in the Okefenokee Swamp. Both fishes mainly ate insect larvae (such as Chironomidae) and Cladocera. Evacuation rates ranged from 0.143 (L. ommala in winter) to 0.279/hour (L. ommala in summer). Daily food consumption (dry weight) ranged from 24.2 (L. ommata in winter) to 148.3 mg/g/day (G. affinis in summer). Maximum consumption by both species was estimated at 26.31 mg/t m2 / day, in summer. These values are consistent with other observations supporting a hypothesis that invertebrate prey production is substantial in these blackwater wetlands.

Recommended Citation

Oliver, J. Douglas, "Consumption Rates, Evacuation Rates and Diets of Pygmy Killifish, Leptolucania ommata, and Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis in the Okefenokee Swamp" (1991). Faculty Publications and Presentations. 92.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/bio_chem_fac_pubs/92