Diet overlap of introduced atlamtc and native danubian lineages of brown trout (Salmo trutta) from inland waters

master's thesis

• Author: Luana Velagić
• Mentor: Marina Piria (mentor)
• Committee member: Marina Piria (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Ana Gavrilović (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Tea Tomljanović (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture; (Department of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special Zoology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2019-09-24, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract

Brown trout has been widely introduced into suitable environments globally. In Croatia, the Danube (Da) lineage of brown trout is native. However, due to anglers’ activities, brown trout of the Atlantic (At) lineage were stocked into Croatian streams and rivers. Brown trout of the At lineage have been determined as invasive, posing a threat to native Da populations. Until now, no research related to feeding competition between At and Da lineage of brown trout from inland waters has been performed. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine the natural diet of brown trout of At and Da lineages and to compare their feeding overlapping. Feeding habits of both trout lineages are related to insects of both terrestrial and aquatic origin. High diet overlap between At and Da lineages were found. This result indicate that At lineage pose significant threat to native Da trout populations. Also, it seems that At lineage feed more by insects of terrestrial origin. Such feeding strategy could make the species more attractive for fly fishing and consequently more attractive for stocking which may complicate the implementation of conservation measures necessary to preserve the indigenous brown trout of the DA lineage.

• Keywords: Trout; lineage; invasive; feeding habits; diet overlap; food sources; overstocking
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:295277
• Study programme: Title: Environment, Agriculture and Resource Management; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: Master of Engineering in Agriculture (Master of Engineering in Agriculture)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2019-11-19 08:51:28