Potential of Utilizing Allochthonous Invertebrates by Gammarus koreanus Uéno (Amphipoda)

Abstract—In an isolating experiment on feeding only on arthropods of terrestrial origin, the potential of their consumption by amphipods from a fishless watercourse has been studied. The data confirm the hypothesis that, on the basis of experiments on feeding exclusively on arthropods, it is possible to determine the maximum proportion of their biomass that the selected consumers are able to utilize. The results of such works can be used for a quantitative assessment of the level of possible losses of allochthonous matter and energy for the communities of recipient water bodies due to the feeding activity of consumers from their tributaries. Assessments of this kind may be relevant when making decisions on the food availability for juvenile Salmonids inhabiting recipient water bodies.