Premium
More rapid shift to a benthic niche in larger Gadus morhua juveniles
Author(s) -
Ólafsdóttir G. Á.,
Gunnarsson G. S.,
Karlsson H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.12719
Subject(s) - benthic zone , biology , pelagic zone , trophic level , gadus , predation , niche , ecology , juvenile , fishery , ecological niche , habitat , fish <actinopterygii>
Trophic use by Atlantic cod Gadus morhua juveniles was examined early and late in the shift from pelagic to benthic habitats. Changes in the proportion of pelagic copepods, estimates of benthic prey indicated by isotope mixing models and stable‐isotope values between sample periods suggested a gradual shift towards a benthic niche. Values of the trophic proxies, however, changed most markedly in the largest juvenile group, suggesting a more rapid trophic niche shift, and in turn competitive advantage, of larger juveniles.