Molecular diet analysis reveals predator-prey community dynamics and environmental factors affecting predation of larval lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in a natural system.

This study utilized molecular tools to quantify the prevalence of predation during the vulnerable drifting larval life-history stage of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. How predators, the co-distributed prey community and abiotic environmental conditions (e.g., stream substrata) affected predation levels was quantified. Nightly D-frame drift net surveys were used to estimate the biomass of A. fulvescens and co-distributed prey. Gastrointestinal diet samples (n = 1,140) from 28 species of potential fish predators were collected during electrofishing surveys. Sampling was conducted for 17 days across 2015 and 2016. Based on DNA barcode analysis using sturgeon-specific mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I primers, A. fulvescens DNA was detected in 73 of 1,140 diet samples (6.40%) from 16 of the 28 predator species examined. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the effects of biotic and abiotic variables associated with the likelihood a predator had consumed larval A. fulvescens. Increasing lunar illumination and biomass of larval A. fulvescens increased predation rates on larval A. fulvescens. Higher discharge and greater biomass and proportions of alternative prey decreased predation rates of larval A. fulvescens. Predation rates were slightly higher in habitats with sand substrata. Most predator species preyed upon larval A. fulvescens at similar rates. The study revealed considerably higher incidence of predation on larval A. fulvescens than previous studies had documented using traditional morphological diet analysis. Co-distributed prey and abiotic environmental variables that affected the predation rates of a species of regional conservation concern can inform future management actions.