Cross-shoal variability in the feeding habits of migrating Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) |
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Authors: | Elisabeth M DeBlois George A Rose |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Fisheries and Oceans, P.O. Box 5667, A1C 5X1 St John's, Nfld., Canada;(2) Present address: Fisheries Conservation Chair, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, A1C 5R3 St. John's, NF, Canada |
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Abstract: | Prey intake and selection were related to within-shoal position for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) engaged in annual migration across the Newfoundland shelf in the northwest Atlantic. Comparisons made among fish occupying five regions from the front to rear of a large (>10 km across) migrating shoal indicated that leading fish, or scouts, were larger, ate more food by weight, and had a more varied diet than did fish at other positions. Also, scouts consumed more preferred prey types (fish and pelagic invertebrates) than did fish at other positions. In contrast, trailing fish consumed few fish prey but a larger proportion of benthic invertebrates. Our results are the first to document systematic heterogeneous feeding success among members of a free-ranging and migrating fish shoal in the open ocean. |
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Keywords: | Gadus morhua Fish shoals Shoal position Feeding |
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