Fish prey spectrum of short-finned squid (Illex illecebrosus) at Newfoundland
Fish otoliths were collected from stomachs of short-finnes squid (Illex illecebrosus) at 11 coastal Newfoundland localities over 11 years during 1980-1993. Most otoliths were of young-of-the-year Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and they were common at all localities after July. Adult capelin (Mallotus v...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
NRC Research Press
1997
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/51176/ https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/51176/1/3101.pdf https://doi.org/10.1139/f96.155 |
| Summary: | Fish otoliths were collected from stomachs of short-finnes squid (Illex illecebrosus) at 11 coastal Newfoundland localities over 11 years during 1980-1993. Most otoliths were of young-of-the-year Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and they were common at all localities after July. Adult capelin (Mallotus villosus) otoliths were common early in the season at a southern locality whereas otoliths of juvenile sand lance (Ammodytes sp.) were common later in the season at the northern localities. Other fish that were relatively well represented in only a few otolith collections were Arcitc cod (Boreogadus saida), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), redfish (Sebastes sp.), and unidentified hake (Gadidae). Arctic cod otoliths were unusually prominent in only two years and from northernmost localities. Redfish otoliths were especially prevalent in the only collection from the south coast of Newfoundland. Paramount among the biases inherent in using this approach to estimate the effects of predation by squid on fish are apparent tendencies for squid not to consume the heads and otoliths when they prey upon large fish, and for otoliths to remain in stomachs for variable periods of time depending on their size or shape. |
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