Distribution, Abundance, and Resource Utilization of Littoral Zone Fishes in Response to a Nutrient/Production Gradient in Lake Memphremagog

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Abstract
The abundance and distribution of six littoral zone fish species (Notropis volucellus, Hybognathus nuchalls, Notemigonus crysoleucas, Pimephales notatus, Fundulus diaphanus, and Etheostoma nigrum) in Lake Memphremagog were influenced directly by a nutrient-driven production gradient existing along the long axis of the lake. The biomass of the six littoral zone fish species was approximately 3 times greater in the more productive southern areas than in the less productive northern areas. Interspecific competition for food was more intense in the less productive northern areas than in the more productive southern areas, and strongly influenced the patterns of food utilization. However, interspecific competition did not appear to play the major role in determining the distribution of the species on the gradient. Distribution of individual species was principally governed by the relative abundance of preferred food resources. The distribution of only one species, Fundulus diaphanus, appeared to be determined primarily by direct competition. Key words: littoral zone, Lake Memphremagog, nutrients, production, resource utilization, fish, food availability

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