Predatory fish
Predatory fisharehypercarnivorousfishthat activelypreyupon other fish oraquatic animals,with examples includingshark,billfish,barracuda,pike/muskellunge,tuna,dolphinfish,walleye,perchandsalmon.Someomnivorousfish, such as thered-bellied piranha,can occasionally also be predatory, although they are not strictly regarded asobligately predatoryfish.
Populations of large predatory fish in theglobal oceanswere estimated to be about 10% of theirpre-industriallevels by 2003,[1]and they are most at risk ofextinction;there was a disproportionate level of large predatory fish extinctions during theCretaceous–Paleogene extinction event66 million years ago.[2]Creation ofmarine reserveshas been found to restore populations of large predatory fish such as theSerranidae—groupersandsea bass.[3]
Predatory fish switch between types of prey in response to variations in their abundance. Such changes in preference are disproportionate and are selected for as evolutionarily efficient.[4]Predatory fish may become apestif they are introduced into anecosystemin which they become a newtop predator.An example, which has caused much trouble inMarylandandFlorida,is thesnakehead fish.[5]
Predatory fish such assharks,billfish,dolphinfishandtunaform a part of thehuman dietand are targeted byfisheries,but they tend to concentrate significant quantities ofmercuryin their bodiesbecause they are high in thefood chain,especially asapex predators,due tobiomagnification.[6]
Predators are an important factor to consider in managing fisheries, and methods for doing so are available and used in some places.[7]
Additionally, the existence of these predators also allows its prey toevolvecountermeasuresthroughnatural selection.Consequently, the predators and prey will be locked in anevolutionary arms race,each looking to gain the upper hand on the other. The presence of fish predators play a large role in the size, shape and swimming performance of theLithobates clamitanstadpoles.The presence of these predators in their habitat causes the tadpoles to develop small bodies and large tail muscles in order to escape from their predators quicker and more efficiently.
Some predatory fish, such aslamnidsharks, billfishes, tuna,opahandbutterfly kingfish,have the ability for cranial endothermy, i.e., the ability to elevateeyeandbraintemperatures, which helps with vision and neural function during ambient temperature changes.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Myers, Ransom A.; Worm, Boris (15 May 2003), "Rapid worldwide depletion of predatory fish communities",Nature,423(6937), Macmillan: 280–283,Bibcode:2003Natur.423..280M,doi:10.1038/nature01610,PMID12748640,S2CID2392394.
- ^"Study unravels why certain fishes became extinct 65 million years ago".eScienceNews.26 March 2009.Retrieved2009-09-30.
- ^Garry R. Russ; Angel C. Alcala (2003),"Marine Reserves: rates and patterns of recovery and decline of predatory fish, 1983–2000"(PDF),Ecological Applications,13(6): 1553–1565,doi:10.1890/01-5341
- ^WW Murdoch; S Avery; MEB Smyth (1975), "Switching in predatory fish",Ecology,56(5), Ecological Society of America: 1094–1105,doi:10.2307/1936149,JSTOR1936149
- ^US acts over predatory fish,BBC, 23 July 2002
- ^Definition of predatory species of fish to which the higher level of methyl mercury applies,Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 6 May 1994, archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016,retrieved10 May2020
- ^Methods to consider predators in fishery management,The Pew Charitable Trusts, 7 May 2013
- ^Runcie, Rosa; et al. (2009)."Evidence for cranial endothermy in the opah (Lampris guttatus)".J Exp Biol.212(4): 461–470.
External links
[edit]- Predatory fish on AquaticCommunity
- Predator fish in oceans on alarming decline, experts sayWashington Post,21 February 2011.
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