Larval Fish Stomach Contents from Conception Bay 1986-1987

Stomach content data from 11 dominant fish species larvae sampled fortnightly from May to September in 1986 and 1987 in a sub-Arctic coastal ecosystem. The collection characterizes prey for larvae of important species, with individual specimens measured for standard length and maxilla length. Sampling targeted three locations on the eastern shore of Conception Bay, Newfoundland.

Use Cases

• Analyze prey composition and feeding ecology across the 11 dominant larval fish species, including Clupea harengus and Gadus morhua.
• Investigate the relationship between larval fish standard length and maxilla length measurements across different developmental stages.
• Study seasonal feeding patterns by correlating sampling dates (May-September) with the presence or absence of yolk sacs and digestion states noted for each specimen.
• Assess the taxonomic diversity of prey items identified from stomach contents in relation to the zooplankton sampling methodology using 64 μm and 165 μm nets.

Strengths

• Data spans two full sampling seasons (1986 and 1987) with fortnightly collections from May to September.
• Focuses on 11 dominant fish species, ensuring observations span their entire seasonal occurrence.
• Includes precise morphological measurements such as standard length to the nearest millimeter and maxilla length to the nearest 10 µm.

Limitations

• Net sampling did not provide accurate estimates of protist abundance, a potential prey source, likely due to preservation with formaldehyde.
• Zooplankton sampling with a 64 μm net underrepresented potential prey smaller than 65 μm, though this size category constituted only about 2% of found prey.
• The dataset's temporal scope is limited to two years in the late 1980s, which may not reflect current ecological conditions.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Ichthyoplankton collected via 0.75 m ring net (165 μm mesh) towed at 5-10 m depth; zooplankton sampled with a similar net (64 μm mesh). Specimens preserved in 4% buffered formaldehyde, with larvae identified, measured, and dissected for stomach analysis.

Time Range

1986 to 1987, with sampling from late May to late September each year.

Freshness

null

Geography

Three locations on the eastern shore of Conception Bay, Newfoundland, Canada (47°45′N, 53°00′W), within a 1000 km² sub-Arctic coastal ecosystem.