Winter Predation by River Otter, Lontra canadensis, on Tautog, Tautoga onitis, at Western Arm Jeddore Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a Review of Evidence for Resident Relict Populations of the Tautog in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

Abstract

We report winter predation by River Otter, Lontra canadensis, on Tautog, Tautoga onitis, a southern marine fish, at Western Arm Jeddore Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia (44°46'N, 63°03'W), on 17 February 2008. We also discuss the distribution of Tautog in the western Atlantic Ocean, review Canadian records, and provide evidence that resident relict populations of this fish exist in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.