The rôle of fleshy macroalgae in the ecology of juvenile cod ( Gadus morhua L.) in inshore waters off eastern Newfoundland

Juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) were more abundant in inshore areas with abundant fleshy macroalgae (Desmarestia spp.) than they were in green sea urchin dominated areas with only crustose coralline algae. Small juvenile cod (<125 mm) fed mainly on small zooplankton, while larger juveniles fed mainly...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Keats, D. W., Steele, D. H., South, G. R.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1987
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Gadus morhua
Newfoundland
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z87-008
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z87-008
Description
Summary:Juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) were more abundant in inshore areas with abundant fleshy macroalgae (Desmarestia spp.) than they were in green sea urchin dominated areas with only crustose coralline algae. Small juvenile cod (<125 mm) fed mainly on small zooplankton, while larger juveniles fed mainly on benthic organisms. The contribution of epiphytic animals obtained from the macroalgae was low. We suggest that the juvenile cod were associated with the algae mainly for cover, and to a lesser degree for food obtained from the algae.

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