The Role of Foraging Profitability and Experience in Habitat Use by the Bluegill Sunfish

Abstract

This study integrates laboratory and field results to interpret habitat use and switching by individual bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Prey handling and search times for the bluegill were determined from laboratory feeding experiments at different prey sizes and densities in open water and sediment habitats. Relationships were then constructed to predict the expected return per unit time foraging in these habitats. Experience (learning) was found to increase foraging efficiency up to fourfold over the course of six to eight foraging bouts. A population of 225 bluegills was then introduced into a pond consisting predominantly of open water and sediment habitats. This population exhibited several habitat switches as resources declined during the 3—mo experiment; in addition, the population split over a 5—wk period, with individuals specializing on one habitat or the other. These specialists were considerably more successful than habitat generalists as measured by average amount of food in the stomachs. Return rates estimated from the laboratory experiments indicated that the two habitats were nearly equal in foraging profitability. The individual specialization indicated that learning and mutually interfering foraging mechanisms were involved in the species' use of the two habitats. The results suggest that learning and sampling are important aspects of both habitat use and the specialization of individuals within a population.