Abstract
In 1994, 5828 stomachs of European hake, Merluccius merluccius (L., 1758) were analysed on commercial trawl and gill-net vessels in the Cantabrian Sea (northern Spain). Data were analysed quantitatively using fullness indices, and differences in feeding intensity and diet composition were compared statistically by quarter, by depth strata, and throughout the predator length-range. The results show that feeding is more intense during the second quarter among specimens longer than 30 cm, which may be related to recovery from the spawning season. There was very little seasonal variation in diet composition, this being centred on blue whiting from 30 cm, as well as on horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus (L., 1758) and silvery pout Gadiculus argenteus (Guichenot, 1850) at shorter lengths. By depth, there was no noteworthy variation in feeding intensity, but an increase in the predominance of blue whiting was observed as depth increased, with a greater intake of horse mackerel and clupeids at less than 200 m. Regarding predation on blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1826) in the Cantabrian Sea, there is apparently no selection of prey lengths, since length distributions in the stomachs closely coincided with those of the total catches of this species in the study area. Compared with another study conducted in the northern Bay of Biscay, the present findings show marked differences in the composition of this species's diet.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
