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Feeding Selectivity of an Algivore (Tropheus brichardi) in Lake Tanganyika

Richardson-Coy, Robin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1492509389713611

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, Biological Sciences.
Algivorous fish remove attached algae (periphyton) from the benthos in near shore areas of lakes. Periphyton has a complex three-dimensional structure dominated by Bacillariophyta (diatoms), Chlorophyta (green algae), and Cyanophyta (cyanobacteria). These three phyla vary in nutritional quality with diatoms providing essential fatty acids that consumers need for growth and reproduction. Selection of specific phyla may be driven by nutritional quality or it may be a function accessibility due to both mouth morphology of the fish and location of the algae in the periphyton community. I investigated whether Tropheus brichardi, an algivorous cichlid of Lake Tanganyika, selectivity feeds on periphyton and how their herbivory affects the periphyton community composition. I found that T. brichardi slightly selects for diatoms although it is unclear if that selection is driven by nutritional quality or accessibility. This slight selection for diatoms did not appear to affect community composition of the periphyton.
Yvonne Vadeboncoeur, Ph.D. (Advisor)
James Amon, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Volker Bahn, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Teed, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
50 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Ecology
feeding selectivity; algae; algivore; Tropheus brichardi; algal community composition

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Richardson-Coy, R. (2017). Feeding Selectivity of an Algivore (Tropheus brichardi) in Lake Tanganyika [Master's thesis, Wright State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1492509389713611

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Richardson-Coy, Robin. Feeding Selectivity of an Algivore (Tropheus brichardi) in Lake Tanganyika. 2017. Wright State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1492509389713611.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Richardson-Coy, Robin. "Feeding Selectivity of an Algivore (Tropheus brichardi) in Lake Tanganyika." Master's thesis, Wright State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1492509389713611

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

wright1492509389713611
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.