Feeding pattern of the great sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus (Cottidae) and its position in the trophic system of near-Kamchatka waters

Abstract

Feeding patterns of the great sculpin Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus in near-Kamchatka waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean are considered using materials collected during 1978–2002. This species of Cottidae is characterized by wide feeding spectra (over 150 nutritive objects); nonetheless, fishes (on average 61.1%) and Decapoda (20.0%) have the highest significance in its diet. The fishes include Alaska pollock Theragra chalcogramma (32.7% of food mass), flatfish Pleuronectidae (12.2%), and sculpins Cottidae (10.5%); Decapoda include crabs from the family Majidae (18.5%). Seasonal, local, interannual, and age-related changes in food composition of the great sculpin are considered. This species is a facultative ambuscade predator; it is characterized by wide feeding spectra that permits him to use a considerable range of food components. In the trophic system of near-Kamchatka regions, units that form the biomass of the great sculpin are selected.