Spatial and Age-Related Changes in the Food Spectrum of the Common Bream Abramis brama in the Middle and Lower Course of the Northern Dvina River (Russia)

• Published in: Inland water biology 2023-02, Vol.16 (1), p.97-105
• Main Authors: Novoselov, A. P., Lukina, V. A., Matveev, N. Yu, Matveeva, A. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age groups; Aquatic molluscs; Aquatic plants; Benthos; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bream; Composition; Diet; Fish; Food; Food composition; Food quality; Foods; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Ichthyology; Insect larvae; Insects; Juveniles; Larvae; Life Sciences; Mollusks; Qualitative analysis; River basins; Rivers; Shellfish; Species diversity; Taxonomy; Vegetation
• ISSN: 1995-0829; 1995-0837
• DOI: 10.1134/S199508292301011X

Data on spatial and age-related changes in the qualitative composition of food spectra (species and taxonomic diversity of invertebrates used as food objects) and quantitative characteristics (dominant types of food) of the common bream Abramis brama (L., 1758) are presented. Changes in the diet and ratios of the prevailing taxonomic groups have been described for fish of different ages sampled in the middle and lower reaches of the Northern Dvina River. The composition of the food bolus is represented by benthic and planktonic organisms. Amphibiotic insect larvae, mollusks, and aquatic vegetation are the most numerous food items. In addition, juvenile fish are present in the food bolus of some age groups. Age-related variability in the diet of common bream is reflected in the size and width of the food spectrum: in juveniles and older individuals, there are significantly fewer nutritional components than in middle-aged fish. Common bream is a typical benthophage with pronounced signs of euryphagy (consuming aquatic vegetation, planktonic organisms, and fish) in different parts of the Northern Dvina River basin.