The first use of Fulton's K for assessing and comparing the conditions of inter‐tidal fish populations

Abstract Fulton's K condition factor was applied, for the first time, to inter‐tidal specimens of the shanny ( Lipophrys pholis ) and long‐spined scorpion fish ( Taurulus bubalis ) from two English rocky shore and two Welsh rocky shore sites during summer 2010 and winter 2011. As both species c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Ecology
Main Authors: Barrett, Chris J., Johnson, Magnus L., Hall, Nicola J., Hull, Sue L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014
Subjects:
Ecology
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Gadus morhua
Lutra lutra
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maec.12234
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fmaec.12234
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/maec.12234
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Summary:Abstract Fulton's K condition factor was applied, for the first time, to inter‐tidal specimens of the shanny ( Lipophrys pholis ) and long‐spined scorpion fish ( Taurulus bubalis ) from two English rocky shore and two Welsh rocky shore sites during summer 2010 and winter 2011. As both species contribute to the diet of commercial species such as cod ( Gadus morhua ) and near‐threatened species such as the European otter ( Lutra lutra ), their condition may affect that of these predators. Fulton's K found that inter‐tidal Welsh fish maintained a ‘good’ condition between seasons, whereas the inter‐tidal English fish were in a poorer condition during winter. Although condition also changed amongst the sites on each coast, further studies are needed into fish morphologies, environmental parameters, prey availabilities and abundances, and fish specimen sex and maturities.

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