Analysis of food sources for Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae in weirs of the Yeongsangang River
This study investigated benthic macroinvertebrates and fish in the Yeongsangang River weir and analyzed stomach contents of Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae. Length distribution of individuals varied by site, with 91.3% and 72.7% falling within the 70-90 mm range in SC-U (upstream location of Seungchon weir) and SJ (location between Seungchon and Juksan weirs), respectively, and 77.5% within 70-80 mm and 100 mm range in JS-D (downstream location of Juksan weir). Chironomidae spp. (nonred type) were the most abundant food sources, comprising 46.3%, 76.9%, and 88.3% of the diet at SC-U, SJ, and JS-D, respectively. The Electivity Index (EI) indicated a strong preference for Chironomidae spp. (non-red type) (0.927) and avoidance for the red type (-0.929) and Limnodrilus gotoi (-0.995). The proportion of burrowers (BU) increased downstream, while swimmers (SW) decreased. The condition factor (K) varied by site, decreasing in SC-U and increasing in SJ and JS-D, showing a significant positive influence on the number of food sources (p<0.05). Among food sources, Chironomidae spp. and Baetidae sp. were predicted to be utilized across a broad range of lengths and weights, with strong connectivity observed among Tanypodinae sp., Hymenoptera sp., and Baetiella tuberculata.