Substrate-size choice in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) elvers is not altered by piscivore chemical cues

Abstract

The European eel Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus 1758 is critically endangered with recruitment estimated at 5-10% of historical levels. Enhancing survival of recruits is pivotal for conservation, and restoration should consider habitat choice of elvers ascending river systems. We experimentally show that newly ascended elvers choose small pebble habitat over finer and larger substrates, regardless of the presence or absence of piscivore chemical cues, indicating no predator-induced change in substrate choice. Enriching habitats with this substrate fraction should enhance eel recruitment as well as biodiversity at large.

Keywords

chemical cues; European eel; habitat choice; predator-prey; substrate size

Published in

Journal of Fish Biology
2020, Volume: 96, number: 6, pages: 1534-1537 Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Degerman, Erik

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Wildlife Management


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14343

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105410