Diets of Juvenile and Sub-Adult Size Classes of ThreeMicropterusspp. in the Flint River, Georgia: Potential for Trophic Competition

Abstract

Abstract Concerns over the recent introduction of Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted Bass) on native M. salmoides (Largemouth Bass) and M. cataractae (Shoal Bass) prompted a one-year investigation into the food habits of these three congeneric species to determine diet overlap and potential for trophic competition in the Flint River, GA. Diet analyses among species were conducted for two size classes offish: juvenile ( 300 mm were collected; thus, diet overlap was not compared among species for larger fish. Juvenile and subadult Largemouth Bass diets were dominated by fish in all seasons, mainly sunfishes (e.g., Lepomis auritus, L. macrochirus). In contrast, Shoal Bass diets were generally dominated by insects and crayfish in the juvenile and subadult size classes, respectively. Juvenile Spotted Bass diets were variable and dominated by fish and in...