Foraging behavior of muskellunge Esox masquinongy as influenced by simulated light intensity, habitat complexity, and prey species

Successful predation by piscivores is driven by both prey and environment. Effects of light intensity and habitat on behavior of juvenile muskellunge Esox masquinongy were evaluated as predators foraged on either bluegill Lepomis macrochirus or golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas in laboratory experiments. Three light intensities were simulated (day, twilight, and night) in the presence or absence of treatments of simulated vegetation. Muskellunge behaviors for locating prey were shaped by light intensity and vegetation, while strategies for capturing prey remained consistent across all conditions. Similarly, muskellunge capture efficiency and success did not depend on light intensity or vegetation, and few interactions occurred between predator foraging behavior and these factors. While prey had difficulty maintaining anti-predator behavior with decreasing light, muskellunge did not exploit increased prey vulnerability with increased captures. Rather, prey species was a better predictor of predator success as bluegill were less vulnerable to predation than golden shiner. Our results indicate that, due to a slow stalking or ambush strategy resulting in low capture rates, foraging throughout a large portion of the diel cycle may be an adaptive response to increase prey capture opportunities for juvenile muskellunge.