Reciprocal Diel Vertical Migration Behavior in Planktivores and Zooplankton in British Columbia Lakes

Abstract

Simultaneous comparison of planktivore and crustacean zooplankton distribution patterns in a set of British Columbia lakes suggested coupled diel vertical migration behavior in the two adjacent trophic levels. In lakes where juvenile sockeye salmon performed diel vertical migrations, most zooplankton were non-migratory and concentrated in shallow surface waters over the diel cycle. In contrast, in one lake where pelagic threespine sticklebacks were present, and where juvenile sockeye diel vertical migrations were periodically reversed, most zooplankton undertook diel vertical migrations. The presence of diel vertical migration behavior in zooplankton thus appears to be related to the presence or absence of the behavior in the predominant planktivores.