Abstract
Turbidity, caused by suspended clay particles, significantly reduced feeding rates but not size selectivity of bluegills (L. macrochirus) preying on 2 size classes of Daphnia pulex. Bluegill feeding rates in a 3-min period declined from .apprx. 14 prey/min in clear water to 11, 10 and 7/min in pools of 60, 120 and 190 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), respectively. Size selectivity was independent of turbidity level; the proportion of large daphnia consumed was .apprx. 0.70 in all treatments and the control. These turbidity levels covered the range of turbidities found in North Carolina [USA] lakes.