Food Resource Competition in Southern Appalachian Brook and Rainbow Trout
Ensign WE, Habera JW, Strange RJ. 1989. Food Resource Competition in Southern Appalachian Brook and Rainbow Trout. Pages 239-247. In Eversole AG: Proceedings of the Forty-Third Annual Conference, Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. St. Louis, Missouri. October 29-November 1, 1989
Food habits of sympatric and allopatric populations of adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from 4 streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were compared to determine if competition for food resources might explain the apparent exclusion of the former by the latter in Southern Appalachian streams. When diets of brook trout in sympatry with rainbow trout were compared with diets of brook trout in allopatry, there was little significant change in prey composition. Based on this information, exploitation competition for food resources does not seem to play a role in the invasion of rainbow trout into areas of Southern Appalachian streams occupied by brook trout.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Ensign, William; Habera, James; Strange, Richard
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Brook Trout, Collins Creek, Competition, Cosby, GRSM-01845, Indian Flats Prong, Invasion, prey composition, Rainbow Trout, Sam's Creek, Trout
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes