NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-155

This report series represents a secondary level of scientifiic publishing. All issues

employ thorough internal scientific review; some issues employ external scientific

review. By design, reviews are transparent collegial reviews, not anonymous peer

reviews. All issues may be cited in formal scientific communications.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William M. Daley, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

D. James Baker, Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Penelope D. Dalton, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Region

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

January 2000

Food of Northwest Atlantic Fishes

and Two Common Species of Squid

1Woods Hole Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543

2Current Address: 38 Hilltop Rd., Mashpee, MA 02649

3[Deceased] Narragansett Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., 28 Tarzwell Dr., Narragansett, RI 02882

4Current Address: 23 Fairway Ln., West Falmouth, MA 02540

Ray E. Bowman1,2, Charles E. Stillwell3, William L. Michaels1,

and Marvin D. Grosslein1,4
Page iii

Contents

Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................................... v

Taxonomic Index of Fish and Squid Species Sampled, Including for Each Species the Number of Stomachs Examined,

Percentage of Stomachs Found Empty, and Associated Appendix Table Number ..................................................... vii

Alphabetic Index of Fish and Squid Species Sampled, Including for Each Species the Geographic Areas Where

Collected, Types of Data Listed, and Associated Appendix Table Number ................................................................. xi

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................................1

Methods and Materials .........................................................................................................................................................1

Results and Observations .....................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................................5

References Cited ...................................................................................................................................................................6

Tables

Table 1. Percentage of total stomach contents by weight of six functional prey groups for 170 species of fish

and squid collected in the Northwest Atlantic .....................................................................................................7

Table 2. Percentage by weight of fish component of diet of piscivores according to geographic area of collection ...... 11

Table 3. Percentage by weight of squid component of diet of predators which eat squid according to geographic

area of collection ................................................................................................................................................ 12

Table 4. Percentage by weight of polychaete component of diet of predators which eat polychaetes according to

geographic area of collection ............................................................................................................................. 13

Table 5. Percentage by weight of decapod crustacean component of diet of predators which eat decapods according

to geographic area of collection ......................................................................................................................... 14

Table 6. Percentage by weight of crustaceans (other than decapods) in diet of predators which eat such crustaceans

according to geographic area of collection ........................................................................................................ 15

Table 7. Percentage by weight of all other prey (than those noted in Tables 2-6) in diet of predators according to

geographic area of collection ............................................................................................................................. 16

Figure

Figure 1. Delineation of the six principal offshore geographic areas, and the two inshore areas referred to as inshore

north of Cape Hatteras and inshore south of Cape Hatteras, surveyed by the NEFSC during 1977-80 ............ iv

Appendices

Appendix A. Overall prey of 110 predators which were lightly sampled and/or not well represented in collections

during the NEFSC’s 1977-80 bottom trawl surveys ..................................................................................... 17

Appendix B. Overall prey of 60 predators which were fully sampled and well represented in collections during the

NEFSC’s 1977-80 bottom trawl surveys ...................................................................................................... 33
Page iv

Figure 1. Delineation of the six principal offshore geographic areas, and the two inshore areas referred to as inshore north of Cape Hatteras and

inshore south of Cape Hatteras, surveyed by the NEFSC during 1977-80. (Bottom depth of the offshore areas ranges from 27 to 366

m, and of the inshore areas ranges from 8 to <27 m. The inshore area north of Cape Hatteras extends from Cape Hatteras to the

western portion of the Scotian Shelf. The inshore area south of Cape Hatteras extends from Cape Hatteras to Cape Fear.)
Page v

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a reference document for researchers interested in the types of prey eaten by fishes and two

common species of squids in continental shelf waters off the northeastern United States. The stomach contents of 31,567

individuals representing 180 species were analyzed. Collection of specimens was primarily by bottom trawl or longline during

1963-84. Most of the smaller-sized fish species (i.e., < 100 cm long) and the two squid species were collected by bottom trawl

during 1977-80. Most of the apex predators, including the large sharks and tunas, and other large-sized species were

collected by longline.

Dietary data are initially presented as a summary table which lists for each of 170 predators the relative contribution

of six major functional prey groups (i.e., fish, squid, polychaete, decapod crustacean, other crustacean, and all other) to its

diet. Such data are subsequently presented as summary tables which list for each of those six functional prey groups the

predators involved and the relative contribution of seven geographic areas (i.e., Middle Atlantic, Southern New England,

Georges Bank, Gulf of Maine, Scotian Shelf, inshore north of Cape Hatteras, and south of Cape Hatteras) to each predator’s

consumption of that functional prey group. Also, appendix tables provide a detailed listing of the overall stomach contents

for each predator species and, for selected species, the stomach contents according to predator size, or to both predator size

and geographic area of collection.

Fifty-nine species fed primarily (i.e., >50% of the stomach contents by weight or volume) on fish and/or squid.

Some of the major piscivores (not listed in any particular order) were Atlantic cod, silver hake, almost all of the sharks, winter

skate, thorny skate, goosefish, white hake, bluefish, striped bass, weakfish, Atlantic bonito, little tunny, sea raven, Atlantic

halibut, and summer flounder. Common fish and squid taken as prey included northern sand lance, hakes, herrings, mackerels, butterfish, anchovies, scup, flatfishes, sculpins, longfin inshore squid, and northern shortfin squid.

A variety of prey groups other than fish and squid were important food for different predators. For example,

polychaetes (mostly spionids, nereids, and nephtyids) were important constituents of the diet of seven species. Decapod

shrimp (e.g., Pandalus spp., Dichelopandalus leptocerus, and Crangon septemspinosa) and crabs (principally Cancer spp.,

Pagurus spp., and Ovalipes spp.) were the main food of 17 species. Crustaceans other than decapod shrimp and crabs made

up a substantial portion of the stomach contents of 32 species, and included prey such as copepods, amphipods, euphausiids, mysids, and stomatopods. Other prey groups such as echinoderms, bivalve mollusks, cnidarians, and tunicates made up

most of the food of 37 predators. Eighteen predator species were diverse feeders and didn’t feed intensively on any one of

the above-noted prey categories.
Page vi
Page vii

Taxonomic Index (common and scientific names) of Fish and Squid Species Sampled, Including for Each Species the Number

of Stomachs Examined, Percentage of Stomachs Found Empty, and Associated Appendix Table Number

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Stomachs Appendix

Common Name Scientific Name No. % Empty Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CLASS CEPHALOPODA -- SQUIDS

ORDER TEUTHIDIDA

Northern shortfin squid Illex illecebrosus 2447 25.7 B-1a,b

Longfin inshore squid Loligo pealeii 2498 26.8 B-2a,b

CLASS AGNATHA -- JAWLESS FISHES

ORDER MYXINIFORMES

Atlantic hagfish Myxine glutinosa 4 75.0 A-1

CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES -- CARTILAGINOUS FISHES

ORDER LAMNIFORMES

Sand tiger Odontaspis taurus 8 0.0 A-1

Bigeye thresher Alopias superciliosus 24 25.0 A-1

Thresher shark A. vulpinus 19 36.8 A-1

White shark Carcharodon carcharias 23 39.1 A-1

Shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus 400 31.5 A-1

Longfin mako I. paucus 10 40.0 A-1

Porbeagle Lamna nasus 6 33.3 A-1

Chain dogfish Scyliorhinus retifer 35 5.7 B-3

Bignose shark Carcharhinus altimus 22 59.1 A-2

Silky shark C. falciformis 54 66.7 A-2

Dusky shark C. obscurus 53 18.9 B-4a,b

Sandbar shark C. plumbeus 7 57.1 A-2

Night shark C. signatus 66 53.0 A-2

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier 52 23.1 A-2

Smooth dogfish Mustelus canis 688 3.1 B-5a,b

Blue shark Prionace glauca 1199 51.5 A-2

Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 85 25.9 B-6a,b

Scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini 2 0.0 A-2

Smooth hammerhead S. zygaena 16 56.3 A-2

ORDER SQUALIFORMES

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2662 47.8 B-7a,b

Atlantic angel shark Squatina dumeril 58 10.3 B-8

ORDER RAJIFORMES

Atlantic torpedo Torpedo nobiliana 7 42.9 A-3

Clearnose skate Raja eglanteria 50 12.0 B-9

Little skate R. erinacea 504 9.3 B-10a,b

Rosette skate R. garmani 16 6.3 A-3

Barndoor skate R. laevis 3 0.0 A-3

Winter skate R. ocellata 745 20.1 B-11a,b

Thorny skate R. radiata 269 9.7 B-12a,b

Smooth skate R. senta 29 27.6 B-13

Southern stingray Dasyatis americana 2 0.0 A-3

Roughtail stingray D. centroura 4 0.0 A-3

Bluntnose stingray D. say 26 15.4 B-14

Spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela 8 50.0 A-3

Bullnose ray Myliobatis freminvillei 15 13.3 A-3

Cownose ray Rhinoptera bonasus 3 0.0 A-3

CLASS OSTEICHTHYES -- BONY FISHES

ORDER ANGUILLIFORMES

Margined snake eel Ophichthus cruentifer 3 0.0 A-3

Slender snipe eel Nemichthys scolopaceus 1 0.0 A-4

Conger eel Conger oceanicus 9 22.2 A-4

ORDER CLUPEIFORMES

Blueback herring Alosa aestivalis 11 18.2 A-4

Hickory shad A. mediocris 4 50.0 A-4

Alewife A. pseudoharengus 240 11.7 B-15a,b

American shad A. sapidissima 21 0.0 A-4
Page viii

Taxonomic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Stomachs Appendix

Common Name Scientific Name No. % Empty Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus 32 9.4 B-16

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 139 23.0 B-17a,b

Round herring Etrumeus teres 98 15.3 B-18

Atlantic thread herring Opisthonema oglinum 6 33.3 A-4

Spanish sardine Sardinella aurita 8 0.0 A-4

Striped anchovy Anchoa hepsetus 15 6.7 A-4

ORDER SALMONIFORMES

Atlantic argentine Argentina silus 184 58.7 B-19

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 1 0.0 A-4

ORDER AULOPIFORMES

Shortnose greeneye Chlorophthalmus agassizi 6 0.0 A-5

Inshore lizardfish Synodus foetens 2 50.0 A-5

Offshore lizardfish Synodus poeyi 6 0.0 A-5

Snakefish Trachinocephalus myops 3 66.7 A-5

Longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox 2 0.0 A-5

ORDER MYCTOPHIFORMES

Lanternfish uncl. Myctophidae 10 0.0 A-5

NA Hygophum taaningi 9 0.0 A-5

NA Maurolicus weitzmani 16 37.5 A-5

ORDER GADIFORMES

Cusk Brosme brosme 49 55.1 B-20

Fourbeard rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius 7 14.3 A-5

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 718 4.6 B-21a,b

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 950 2.3 B-22a,b

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 17 82.4 A-6

Silver hake M. bilinearis 2263 28.4 B-23a,b

Pollock Pollachius virens 82 12.2 B-24a,b

Longfin hake Urophycis chesteri 17 23.5 A-6

Red hake U. chuss 1482 22.5 B-25a,b

Spotted hake U. regia 47 12.8 B-26

White hake U. tenuis 283 19.4 B-27a,b

Marlin-spike Nezumia bairdi 10 11.1 A-6

Longnose grenadier Coelorhynchus carminatus 18 0.0 A-6

Grenadier uncl. Macrouridae 3 0.0 A-6

Fawn cusk-eel Lepophidium profundorum 165 33.9 B-28a,b

Striped cusk-eel Ophidion marginatum 2 0.0 A-6

ORDER BATRACHOIDIFORMES

Atlantic midshipman Porichthys plectrodon 10 0.0 A-6

ORDER LOPHIIFORMES

Goosefish Lophius americanus 872 53.6 B-29a,b

ORDER ATHERINIFORMES

Atlantic needlefish Strongylura marina 5 80.0 A-6

Atlantic saury Scomberesox saurus 30 6.7 A-7

Silverside uncl. Menidia sp. 36 83.3 A-7

ORDER ZEIFORMES

Buckler dory Zenopsis conchifera 5 40.0 A-7

Deepbody boarfish Antigonia capros 5 0.0 A-7

ORDER GASTEROSTEIFORMES

Threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus 1 0.0 A-7

Red cornetfish Fistularia petimba 5 0.0 A-7

Cornetfish uncl. Fistulariidae 1 0.0 A-7

Longspine snipefish Macrorhamphosus scolopax 6 33.3 A-7

Northern pipefish Syngnathus fuscus 38 65.0 B-30

ORDER SCORPAENIFORMES

Blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus 80 31.3 B-31a,b

Acadian redfish Sebastes fasciatus 266 57.1 B-32a,b

Scorpionfish uncl. Scorpaenidae 1 0.0 A-8
Page ix

Taxonomic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Stomachs Appendix

Common Name Scientific Name No. % Empty Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Armored searobin Peristedion miniatum 24 33.3 A-8

Spiny searobin Prionotus alatus 1 0.0 A-8

Northern searobin P. carolinus 41 19.5 B-33

Striped searobin P. evolans 7 28.6 A-8

Bluespotted searobin Prionotus roseus 1 0.0 A-8

Searobin uncl. Triglidae 8 50.0 A-8

Hookear sculpin uncl. Artediellus spp. 22 9.1 A-8

Sea raven Hemitripterus americanus 146 45.2 B-34a,b

Longhorn sculpin Myxocephalus octodecemspinosus 149 16.8 B-35a,b

Shorthorn sculpin M. scorpius 10 20.0 A-8

Moustache sculpin Triglops murrayi 28 7.1 B-36

Bigeye sculpin T. nybelini 21 28.6 A-8

Alligatorfish Aspidophoroides monopterygius 24 20.8 A-9

Lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus 2 0.0 A-9

Atlantic seasnail Liparis atlanticus 2 0.0 A-9

ORDER PERCIFORMES

Striped bass Morone saxatilis 2 0.0 A-9

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 680 28.7 B-37a,b

Sand perch Diplectrum formosum 3 33.3 A-9

Red grouper Epinphelus mystacinus 1 0.0 A-9

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 3 33.3 A-9

Bigeye Priacanthus arenatus 2 0.0 A-9

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps 9 33.3 A-10

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 568 27.3 B-38a,b

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 3 0.0 A-10

Atlantic bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus 5 20.0 A-10

Round scad Decapterus punctatus 5 40.0 A-10

Bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus 10 0.0 A-10

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili 3 0.0 A-10

Banded rudderfish S. zonata 2 0.0 A-10

Rough scad Trachurus lathami 11 0.0 A-10

Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens 10 10.0 A-10

Tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum 23 39.1 A-11

White grunt H. plumieri 14 21.4 A-11

Pigfish Orthopristis chrysoptera 11 9.1 A-11

Whitebone porgy Calamus leucosteus 11 81.8 A-11

Spottail pinfish Diplodus holbrooki 6 16.7 A-11

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 11 54.5 A-11

Longspine porgy Stenotomus caprinus 72 45.8 B-39

Scup S. chrysops 438 34.7 B-40a,b

Silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura 5 80.0 A-11

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis 393 19.8 B-41a,b

Banded drum Larimus fasciatus 11 27.3 B-11

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus 442 15.6 B-42a,b

Southern kingfish Menticirrhus americanus 88 20.5 B-43a,b

Northern kingfish M. saxatilis 78 6.4 B-44a,b

Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus 263 21.3 B-45

Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber 1 0.0 A-11

Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus 1 0.0 A-12

Tautog Tautoga onitis 2 33.3 A-12

Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus 54 46.3 B-46

Ocean pout Macrozoarces americanus 94 22.3 B-47a,b

Atlantic soft pout Melanostigma atlanticum 3 66.7 A-12

Radiated shanny Ulvaria subbifurcata 6 16.7 A-12

Wrymouth Cryptacanthodes maculatus 1 0.0 A-12

Atlantic wolffish Anarhichas lupus 75 25.3 B-48a,b

Southern stargazer Astroscopus y-graecum 1 0.0 A-12
Page x

Taxonomic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Stomachs Appendix

Common Name Scientific Name No. % Empty Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern sand lance Ammodytes dubius 1353 29.0 B-49a,b

Atlantic cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus 11 0.0 A-12

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus 1 0.0 A-12

Atlantic bonito Sarda sarda 3 0.0 A-12

Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus 25 4.0 A-13

Atlantic mackerel S. scombrus 114 18.4 B-50a,b

King mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla 5 20.0 A-13

Spanish mackerel S. maculatus 12 0.0 A-13

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 171 9.9 A-13

Harvestfish Peprilus alepidotus 2 0.0 A-13

Butterfish P. triacanthus 852 20.2 B-51a,b

ORDER PLEURONECTIFORMES

Gulf Stream flounder Citharichthys arctifrons 224 28.1 B-52a,b

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 655 61.4 B-53a,b

Fourspot flounder P. oblongus 178 38.2 B-54a,b

Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus 1092 34.7 B-55a,b

Dusky flounder Syacium papillosum 1 0.0 A-13

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 130 16.2 B-56a,b

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 300 49.0 B-57a,b

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 125 27.2 B-58a,b

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus 1746 30.8 B-59a,b

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 225 34.7 B-60a,b

ORDER TETRAODONTIFORMES

Planehead filefish Monacanthus hispidus 8 50.0 A-13

Fish Which Had Empty Stomachs for All Samples

Striated argentine Argentina striata 1 100.0 NA

Polka-dot batfish Ogcocephalus radiatus 1 100.0 NA

Sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus 1 100.0 NA

Seahorse uncl. Hippocampus sp. 1 100.0 NA

Horned searobin Bellator militaris 1 100.0 NA

Bighead searobin Prionotus tribulus 1 100.0 NA

Gag Mycteroperca microlepis 1 100.0 NA

Wolf eelpout Lycenchelys verrilli 1 100.0 NA

Gray triggerfish Balistes capriscus 2 100.0 NA

Striped burrfish Chilomycterus schoepfi 1 100.0 NA

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page xi

Alphabetic Index (common names) of Fish and Squid Species Sampled, Including for Each Species

the Geographic Areas Where Collected, Types of Data Listed, and Associated Appendix Table Number

[Area-collected codes are: 1 - Middle Atlantic, 2 - Southern New England, 3 - Georges Bank, 4 - Gulf of Maine, 5 - Scotian Shelf, 6 - offshore

south of Cape Hatteras, 7 - inshore south of Cape Hatteras, 8- inshore north of Cape Hatteras, and 9 - Northwest Atlantic (for large pelagic fish).

Data-type codes are: T - overall listing of prey, L - listing of prey according to predator length, and A - listing of prey according to geographic

area.]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Appendix

Common Name Area(s) Collected Data Types Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Acadian redfish 3 4 5 T L A B-32a,b

Alewife 12345 8 TLA B-15a,b

Alligatorfish 4 T A-9

American plaice 3 4 5 8 T L A B-57a,b

American shad 1 2 4 8 T A-4

Armored searobin 1 2 T A-8

Atlantic angel shark 1 6 8 T L B-8

Atlantic argentine 4 5 T L B-19

Atlantic bonito 2 T A-12

Atlantic bumper 7 T A-10

Atlantic cod 12345 8 TLA B-21a,b

Atlantic croaker 1 2 6 7 8 T L B-45

Atlantic cutlassfish 7 T A-12

Atlantic hagfish 4 T A-1

Atlantic halibut 3 4 5 8 T L A B-58a,b

Atlantic herring 3456 8 TLA B-17a,b

Atlantic mackerel 2345 8 TLA B-50a,b

Atlantic menhaden 7 8 T L B-16

Atlantic midshipman 7 T A-6

Atlantic needlefish 4 5 T A-6

Atlantic salmon 4 T A-4

Atlantic saury 3 T A-7

Atlantic seasnail 3 T A-9

Atlantic sharpnose shark 6 7 8 T L A B-6a,b

Atlantic soft pout 4 T A-12

Atlantic spadefish 7 T A-11

Atlantic thread herring 7 T A-4

Atlantic torpedo 1 2 3 6 T A-3

Atlantic wolffish 2345 8 TLA B-48a,b

Banded drum 7 T A-11

Banded rudderfish 8 T A-10

Barndoor skate 3 5 T A-3

Bigeye 7 T A-9

Bigeye scad 1 T A-10

Bigeye sculpin 3 T A-8

Bigeye thresher 9 T A-1

Bignose shark 9 T A-2

Black sea bass 1 2 3 6 7 8 T L A B-37a,b

Blackbelly rosefish 1234 TLA B-31a,b

Blue shark 9 T A-2

Blueback herring 1 5 T A-4

Bluefish 1 2 3 6 7 8 T L A B-38a,b

Bluespotted searobin 6 T A-8

Bluntnose stingray 1 6 7 8 T L B-14

Buckler dory 1 T A-7

Bullnose ray 6 7 8 T A-3

Butterfish 1 2 3 6 7 8 T L A B-51a,b

Chain dogfish 1 2 T L B-3

Chub mackerel 7 8 T A-13

Clearnose skate 1 6 7 8 T L B-9

Cobia 6 T A-10
Page xii

Alphabetic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Appendix

Common Name Area(s) Collected Data Types Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conger eel 1 2 3 T A-4

Cornetfish uncl. 7 T A-7

Cownose ray 8 T A-3

Cunner 2 3 8 T L B-46

Cusk 3 4 5 T L B-20

Deepbody boarfish 1 T A-7

Dusky flounder 6 T A-13

Dusky shark 1 6 7 8 T L A B-4a,b

Fawn cusk-eel 1 2 3 8 T L A B-28a,b

Fourbeard rockling 4 T A-5

Fourspot flounder 1 2 3 T L A B-54a,b

Goosefish 12345 78 TLA B-29a,b

Greater amberjack 6 T A-10

Grenadier uncl. 2 T A-6

Gulf Stream flounder 1 2 3 T L A B-52a,b

Haddock 12345 8 TLA B-22a,b

Harvestfish 7 T A-13

Hickory shad 2 T A-4

Hogfish 6 T A-12

Hookear sculpin uncl. 4 5 T A-8

Hygophum taaningi 1 T A-5

Inshore lizardfish 6 8 T A-5

King mackerel 6 8 T A-13

Lanternfish uncl. 1 T A-5

Little skate 1 2 3 8 T L A B-10a,b

Little tunny 6 T A-12

Longfin inshore squid 12345678 TLA B-2a,b

Longfin hake 1 2 4 5 T A-6

Longfin mako 9 T A-1

Longhorn sculpin 2345 TLA B-35a,b

Longnose grenadier 1 2 T A-6

Longnose lancetfish 9 T A-5

Longspine porgy 1 7 8 T L B-39

Longspine snipefish 1 T A-7

Lumpfish 8 T A-9

Margined snake eel 2 T A-3

Marlin-spike 4 T A-6

Maurolicus weitzmani 4 T A-5

Moustache sculpin 3 5 T L B-36

Night shark 1 9 T A-2

Northern kingfish 6 7 8 T L A B-44a,b

Northern pipefish 8 T L B-30

Northern sand lance 1234 8 TLA B-49a,b

Northern searobin 1 2 3 8 T L B-33

Northern shortfin squid 12345 8 TLA B-1a,b

Ocean pout 2345 8 TLA B-47a,b

Offshore hake 1 3 T A-6

Offshore lizardfish 6 T A-5

Pigfish 7 T A-11

Pinfish 7 T A-11

Planehead filefish 7 8 T A-13

Pollock 3 4 5 8 T L A B-24a,b

Porbeagle 9 T A-1

Radiated shanny 4 5 T A-12

Red cornetfish 6 T A-7

Red grouper 1 T A-9

Red hake 12345 8 TLA B-25a,b
Page xiii

Alphabetic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Appendix

Common Name Area(s) Collected Data Types Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rosette skate 1 T A-3

Rough scad 7 8 T A-10

Roughtail stingray 1 8 T A-3

Round herring 1 2 7 8 T L B-18

Round scad 7 T A-10

Sand perch 6 7 T A-9

Sand tiger 7 8 9 T A-1

Sandbar shark 1 6 7 8 T A-2

Scalloped hammerhead 7 9 T A-2

Scamp 6 7 T A-9

Scorpionfish uncl. 7 T A-8

Scup 1 2 6 7 8 T L A B-40a,b

Sea raven 2345 8 TLA B-34a,b

Searobin uncl. 6 T A-8

Shortfin mako 2 9 T A-1

Shorthorn sculpin 5 T A-8

Shortnose greeneye 3 T A-5

Silky shark 9 T A-2

Silver hake 12345 8 TLA B-23a,b

Silver perch 7 T A-11

Silverside uncl. 2 T A-7

Slender snipe eel 2 T A-4

Smooth dogfish 1 2 7 8 T L A B-5a,b

Smooth hammerhead 7 9 T A-2

Smooth skate 3 4 T L B-13

Snakefish 6 T A-5

Southern kingfish 7 8 T L A B-43a,b

Southern stargazer 7 T A-12

Southern stingray 6 T A-3

Spanish mackerel 7 8 T A-13

Spanish sardine 7 T A-4

Spiny butterfly ray 6 8 T A-3

Spiny dogfish 12345 78 TLA B-7a,b

Spiny searobin 6 T A-8

Spot 1 7 8 T L A B-42a,b

Spottail pinfish 7 T A-11

Spotted hake 1 2 8 T L B-26

Striped anchovy 8 T A-4

Striped bass 8 T A-9

Striped cusk-eel 8 T A-6

Striped searobin 1 8 T A-8

Summer flounder 1234 678 TLA B-53a,b

Swordfish 9 T A-13

Tautog 7 T A-12

Thorny skate 3 4 5 8 T L A B-12a,b

Threespine stickleback 8 T A-7

Thresher shark 9 T A-1

Tiger shark 9 T A-2

Tilefish 2 T A-10

Tomtate 6 7 T A-11

Vermilion snapper 7 T A-10

Weakfish 1 2 7 8 T L A B-41a,b

White grunt 6 7 T A-11

White hake 2345 8 TLA B-27a,b

White shark 9 T A-1

Whitebone porgy 7 T A-11
Page xiv

Alphabetic Index (cont.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Appendix

Common Name Area(s) Collected Data Types Table No.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Windowpane 1 2 3 7 8 T L A B-55a,b

Winter flounder 12345 8 TLA B-59a,b

Winter skate 2 3 4 8 T L A B-11a,b

Witch flounder 3 4 5 8 T L A B-56a,b

Wrymouth 4 T A-12

Yellowtail flounder 2 3 8 T L A B-60a,b

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Trophic structure of fish assemblages on the continental shelf from New England to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, has been examined by the Northeast Fisheries Science

Center (NEFSC) in several large-scale dietary studies. Past

studies have described food-web structure and trophic interactions among Northwest Atlantic fishes. For the 1969-

72 study period, see Maurer and Bowman (1975) and

Langton and Bowman (1980, 1981); for the 1973-76 period,

see Edwards and Bowman (1979) and Bowman and Michaels

(1984). Also see Cohen et al. (1982), Sissenwine (1984), and

Sherman (1986).

Understanding trophic interrelationships among the

majority of fish species within an ecosystem is necessary

to define more precisely the role that predation plays in

determining ecosystem structure and the possible long-term

effects of various fisheries exploitation regimes. The primary purpose of this report is to provide basic diet composition data on fishes and two species of squids commonly

caught in the Northeast Continental Shelf Ecosystem.

Diet data for some of the species covered in this report

are scant or nonexistent in the published literature. This

report’s data expand on existing diet data for major fish and

squid species sampled during the 1969-72 and 1973-76 study

periods, and cover the broader geographic area from Nova

Scotia to Cape Fear, North Carolina, including inshore areas

where bottom depth ranges from 8 to 27 m. Previous studies only covered the area from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras

in water depths of 27-366 m. The majority of data presented

here represent the last of a series of quantitative stomach

content collections initiated in 1973.

Detailed stomach content data, based on percentage

composition by weight or volume, are presented for individual predator species. Also, we identify six major functional prey groups based on the predators’ stomach contents.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Specimens sampled for stomach content analysis were

primarily collected during NEFSC bottom trawl survey

cruises conducted during the spring, summer, autumn, and

winter from 1977 to 1980. Stratified random sampling was

conducted in continental shelf waters from Nova Scotia to

Cape Fear, North Carolina and sampling occurred 24 hr/day.

Tows were 30 min in duration at a vessel speed of 6.5 km/hr,

usually in the direction of the next sampling station. Bottom depths sampled ranged from 8 to 366 m. The 27-m

depth contour (along the coast) delineates inshore versus

offshore sampling areas of the NEFSC. Eight general areas

surveyed by the NEFSC are depicted in Figure 1. They

include the six traditional offshore areas -- offshore south

of Cape Hatteras, Middle Atlantic, Southern New England,

Georges Bank, Gulf of Maine, and Scotian Shelf -- along

with two inshore areas -- inshore south of Cape Hatteras

and inshore north of Cape Hatteras.

Stomach content samples taken during bottom trawl

survey cruises were based on three criteria as follows: 1)

offshore species of particular interest to investigators at

the NEFSC for a variety of reasons (e.g., species making up

the majority of commercial catches or species known to

consume primarily fish), 2) species making up the majority

of catches (by weight) in inshore areas (hitherto not

sampled), and 3) species for which dietary information was

scant or nonexistent. Survey technicians sampled species

first for criterion no. 1 if the station was offshore, or for

criterion no. 2 if the station was inshore. Other samples

were taken when time permitted. Samples generally represented the length frequency of each species caught.

Stomachs of large fish or squid were excised aboard

ship, individually wrapped in gauze with a label denoting

vessel, cruise, station, species, specimen size (i.e., fork length

when applicable, otherwise total length, disk width for rays,

or mantle length for squid), sex, and maturity, and preserved

in a 3.7% formaldehyde solution (Formalin and sea water)

by volume. Small fish and squid were preserved whole.

The preserved stomachs were individually opened in

the laboratory and their contents emptied onto a 0.25-mmmesh-opening screen sieve to permit washing away the formaldehyde without the loss of any food items. The stomach

contents were sorted, identified, counted, and damp dried

on absorbent paper. Major prey items and commonly occurring but relatively minor prey, in terms of weight, were

identified to species whenever practical. The wet weight of

all stomach content groups was determined to the nearest

0.001 g, and all data recorded. A stomach was considered

empty when no material was found in the stomach, or when

the material found in the stomach both could not be identified and weighed less than 0.001 g.

We also provide information on the food of large pelagic species. These samples were gathered from various

sources during 1963-84. Stomach content samples of apex

predators, including large sharks and tunas, and other large

species (i.e., >100 cm) were mostly collected from fish caught

by rod and reel, or by longline during research vessel cruises.

Some samples were collected from fish caught during fishing tournaments over the years. The sampling area covered continental shelf waters from Florida to the Grand

Banks (southeast of Newfoundland).

As noted earlier, stomach content data associated with

the 1977-80 period of bottom trawl survey cruises were measured as percentage composition by wet weight. Data associated with the 1963-66 period were measured as percentage composition by occurrence. Data associated with the

1969-72 period are based on samples first being grouped

according to fish length, then being measured as percentage composition by wet weight. Stomach content data presented for apex predators are based on percentage composition by volume.

No statistical weighting (e.g., length frequency, sample

size, population size, or species distribution) was applied to
Page 2

any stomach content data. Sources of potential bias or

variation in the data include age/size, sex, maturity stage,

and various sampling factors (i.e., time of day, season, year,

area, and bottom depth and temperature). Accordingly, dietary listings should be considered only as broad summaries. Some items listed as stomach contents are parasites

(e.g., trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes), some of which

may have been ingested by the predator when it ate other

parasitized organisms. Similarly, some items identified in

the stomachs may have originated from the stomachs of

fish prey and were not directly consumed by a particular

predator.

Life history and distribution data for many economically important species (e.g., Atlantic cod, haddock, silver

hake, and Atlantic herring) may be found in Grosslein and

Azarovitz (1982). Details of stomach content sampling procedures and data processing methods utilized by the NEFSC

are given in Langton et al. (1980). All common and scientific names of fishes and invertebrates (both predator and

prey), whenever possible, are according to Robins et al.

(1991) for fishes except pleuronectids, Cooper and Chapleau

(1998) for pleuronectid fishes, Turgeon et al. (1988) for

mollusks except loliginids, Turgeon et al. (1998) for loliginid

mollusks, Williams et al. (1989) for decapod crustaceans,

Cairns et al. (1991) for cnidarians and ctenophores, and

either Gosner (1971) or Barnes (1987) for other invertebrates.

RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Detailed diet data for each predator species are given in

tabular form in Appendices A and B. In the appendix tables,

diet composition is expressed as the percentage by weight

that each stomach content group makes up of the total stomach contents for each predator species (except in a few

cases, which are noted in the tables, where percentage by

volume or occurrence is given because a different measurement method was utilized during the particular study from

which those data were taken). Percentage subtotals for

phyla and other major taxonomic groups are shown in brackets; subtotals for minor groups within major groups are in

parentheses. The number sampled, number empty, mean

stomach content by weight or volume, and mean predator

length are provided at the bottom of each table.

The stomach contents of 31,567 individual predators,

representing 178 species of fish and 2 common species of

squid were examined. The total number of each species

examined and the percentage empty are listed in the earlierpresented taxonomic index. The area(s) in which samples

were collected and the type(s) of data which are presented

for each species are given in the earlier-presented alphabetic index. All stomachs of 10 species collected were empty;

they are listed at the end of the taxonomic index.

OVERALL PREY

A summary of the stomach content data for the 170

species with food in their stomachs is provided in Table 1.

(Also refer to Appendices A and B for a detailed listing of

prey.) The functional prey groups (i.e., fish, squid, polychaete, decapod crustacean, other crustacean, and all other)

noted immediately below and listed in Table 1 collectively

made up at least 50% by weight (or volume) of the stomach

contents of the predators indicated.

Fish and/or squid made up the majority of the stomach

contents of 59 species. Identified fish prey, for the most

part, were northern sand lance, silver hake, other hakes,

herrings, mackerels, butterfish, anchovies, scup, flatfishes,

and sculpins. Squid prey were primarily longfin inshore

and northern shortfin squids. Polychaetes (mostly spionids,

nereids, and nephtyids) were important constituents of the

diet of seven species. Decapod shrimp (mainly Pandalus

spp., Dichelopandalus leptocerus, and Crangon

septemspinosa) and crabs (principally Cancer spp., Pagurus

spp., and Ovalipes spp.) were the principal food of 17 predators. Crustaceans other than decapods made up a substantial portion of the stomach contents of 32 species, and included prey such as copepods, amphipods, mysids, and

euphausiids. Note, however, that some of the unidentified

crustacean matter included here may have been decapod

remains). The “all other” group (i.e., stomach contents other

than the groups noted above) is primarily made up of some

combination of bivalve mollusks, gastropods, echinoderms,

cnidarians, urochordates, sand, or unidentified material. This

group made up most of the stomach contents of 37 species.

Eighteen predator species were diverse feeders and didn’t

feed predominantly on any one of the above functional

prey groups.

PREY ACCORDING TO PREDATOR LENGTH

Different diet compositions for fish in different length

ranges are observed for 60 species (Appendix B). Generally, fish 20 cm long tended to eat some combination of

organisms such as chaetognaths, copepods, amphipods,

mysids, polychaetes, and small decapod shrimp. Fish >20

cm long (e.g., little skate, Atlantic cod, silver hake, pollock,

and white hake) consumed mostly fish, squid, decapod

shrimp, and/or crabs.

Exceptions to this pattern are seen in three groups of

predators. The first group are those species which fed

intensively on fish and/or squid for most of their life. Predators in this group included, in part, northern shortfin and

longfin inshore squids, most of the sharks (e.g., dusky shark,

sharpnose shark, and spiny dogfish), goosefish, and bluefish.
Page 3

The second group are those predators which ate primarily planktonic organisms (e.g., chaetognaths, copepods,

pelagic amphipods, mysids, euphausiids, and/or salps).

Most of the herrings, Atlantic argentine, northern sand lance,

Atlantic mackerel, Acadian redfish, and butterfish are among

the fishes included in this group.

The third group of fishes preyed almost totally on some

combination of small benthic crustaceans (mostly amphipods), echinoderms, cnidarians, and polychaetes. Species

such as haddock, Gulf Stream flounder, witch flounder,

American plaice, yellowtail flounder, and winter flounder

are among the predators in this group.

PREY ACCORDING TO GEOGRAPHIC AREA

A qualitative and quantitative understanding of predation on fish by fish (i.e., natural mortality, in part) is critically important for development of multispecies fishery

models. The percentage of fish in the diet of all piscivores

sampled from at least two geographic areas, in sufficient

numbers for analysis (about 20 fish per area), during bottom trawl surveys from 1977 to 1980 are presented in Table

2. Excluding apex predators, the listed species represent

the majority of the demersal fish and squid biomass within

the entire study area.

Spotted hake, which is not listed in Table 2, is a dominant piscivore in the Middle Atlantic, but too few were

sampled during the 1977-80 period to warrant inclusion.

However, during the 1973-76 period in the Middle Atlantic,

15.9% and 36.9% of their food was fish and squid, respectively (Bowman and Michaels 1984).

Many large apex predators which fed primarily on fish

and/or squid (e.g., blue shark, thresher shark, and swordfish) are migratory. They occur in the survey area only

during certain periods of the year. Their predatory impact

on fish and squid populations during these periods should

not be overlooked.

Information on how functional prey groups such as

fish, squid, polychaetes, decapods, other crustaceans, and

other organisms are partitioned by predators within the

study area is given in Tables 2-7. (See also Appendix B.)

For each functional prey group, the principal predators

which utilize that group as food are discussed, by area, in

the following sections.

Fish

Overall, northern sand lance was the primary fish prey

in almost all geographic areas during the study period. (See

Table 2 and the detailed prey listings in Appendix B.) In the

Middle Atlantic, northern sand lance was an important food

(>10% of all food by weight) of little skate, silver hake, red

hake, summer flounder, and windowpane. Other notable

fish prey in the Middle Atlantic were silver hake (consumed

by silver hake, fourspot flounder, and windowpane), herrings (eaten by spiny dogfish, summer flounder, and bluefish), and scup (prey of smooth dogfish and black sea bass).

Southern New England piscivores which ate northern

sand lance include, in part, smooth dogfish, winter skate,

silver hake, Atlantic cod, summer flounder, windowpane,

and yellowtail flounder. In this area, silver hake were prey

of fourspot flounder, silver hake, and goosefish. Atlantic

cod were identified as prey of Atlantic cod and fourspot

flounder. Unidentified gadids were found in the stomachs

of spiny dogfish, white hake, red hake, and Gulf Stream

flounder. Herrings were the prey of spiny dogfish and summer flounder. One of the few instances of predation on

spiny dogfish (i.e., by Atlantic cod) was observed in this

area.

Georges Bank predators fed on a wide assortment of

fish prey. Major fish prey were northern sand lance (eaten

by winter skate, thorny skate, Atlantic cod, pollock, red

hake, summer flounder, winter flounder, windowpane, bluefish, and longhorn sculpin), herrings (consumed by spiny

dogfish, thorny skate, silver hake, and bluefish), various

gadids (found in the stomachs of spiny dogfish, white hake,

red hake, Atlantic halibut, bluefish, sea raven, and

goosefish, with Atlantic cod and haddock specifically being identified as food of Atlantic halibut and goosefish,

respectively), and longhorn sculpin (prey of little skate,

Atlantic halibut, bluefish, and goosefish).

Gulf of Maine predators ate primarily northern sand lance

(food of spiny dogfish, winter skate, silver hake, haddock,

red hake, and Atlantic halibut), silver hake (prey of silver

hake, Atlantic cod, white hake, red hake, Atlantic halibut,

Acadian redfish, sea raven, and goosefish), and herrings

(found in the stomachs of thorny skate, silver hake, Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, and goosefish). Haddock was

preyed on by goosefish.

Scotian Shelf fishes ate northern sand lance (prey of

red hake), mackerel (eaten by spiny dogfish and silver hake),

herrings (food of silver hake), silver hake (preyed upon by

silver hake, white hake, and red hake), haddock (identified

in the stomachs of red hake and goosefish), unidentified

gadids (a portion of the diet of Atlantic halibut and

goosefish), and longhorn sculpin (found in the stomachs

of goosefish).

Inshore north of Cape Hatteras (i.e., Cape Hatteras to

Nova Scotia), fish prey were northern sand lance (>10% of

the food of winter skate, silver hake, Atlantic cod, pollock,

summer flounder, black sea bass, and scup), herrings (consumed by Atlantic sharpnose shark, spiny dogfish, thorny

skate, Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, summer flounder, bluefish, weakfish, and goosefish), mackerel (eaten by dusky

shark), silver hake (a food of silver hake, red hake, Atlantic

halibut, and windowpane), butterfish (prey of smooth dog-
Page 4

fish and bluefish), and anchovies (preyed upon by Atlantic

sharpnose shark, black sea bass, weakfish, northern kingfish, and windowpane).

South of Cape Hatteras (including inshore and offshore

areas from Cape Hatteras to Cape Fear), fish prey were almost exclusively anchovies (food of Atlantic sharpnose

shark, dusky shark, summer flounder, bluefish, black sea

bass, weakfish, southern kingfish, northern kingfish, and

spot) and herrings (consumed by Atlantic sharpnose shark,

bluefish, black sea bass, and weakfish).

Squid

Longfin inshore and northern shortfin squids were the

principal squid species identified as prey within all areas

sampled except the Middle Atlantic (Appendix B). In the

Middle Atlantic, only longfin inshore squid was found to

be a major squid prey, although it didn’t make up >50% of

the stomach contents of a single species.

Table 3 shows that several species fed intensively on

squid (i.e., the stomachs of all predators noted immediately

below contained on average >50% squid by weight). For

example, the diet of summer flounder and bluefish sampled

in Southern New England was mostly squid. On Georges

Bank, squid was an important prey of bluefish and fourspot

flounder. In Scotian Shelf waters, predation on squid was

noted by pollock and northern shortfin squid. Goosefish

was identified as having >50% squid in the diet for the

inshore area north of Cape Hatteras. No predators were

observed with >50% squid in their diet for the area south of

Cape Hatteras.

Polychaetes

Polychaetes were an important food source (i.e., >50%

of stomach contents by weight) for relatively few species,

but they were taken as prey in all areas sampled (Table 4

and Appendix B). Taxonomic groups making up the majority of the polychaete prey were nephtyids, nereids,

lumbrinerids, flabelligerids, spionids, and ampharetids.

Species in the Middle Atlantic whose main prey was

polychaetes are winter flounder, Gulf Stream flounder, and

scup. In Southern New England, polychaetes didn’t make

up >50% of the stomach contents of any predator examined. However, the stomachs of haddock, winter flounder,

and Gulf Stream flounder all contained >40%. On Georges

Bank, yellowtail and witch flounders were identified as two

species which fed intensively (i.e., >50%) on polychaetes.

Of all species examined from the Gulf of Maine and Scotian

Shelf, only witch flounder stomachs contained >50% polychaetes (in both areas). The inshore area north of Cape

Hatteras yielded the most predator species (i.e., 10) with

>10% by weight of polychaetes in their stomachs, but the

stomachs of only two species, witch flounder and spot,

contained >50%. Not a single species examined from waters south of Cape Hatteras had stomachs containing >50%

polychaetes, and only scup stomachs contained >10%.

Decapod Crustaceans

Relatively few species made up the majority of decapod

crustacean prey throughout the entire survey area, but those

species were an important food source for many predators

(Table 5 and Appendix B). For example, decapods accounted

for >50% of the stomach contents of dusky shark, smooth

dogfish, and blackbelly rosefish in the Middle Atlantic, and

for >50% of the stomach contents of smooth dogfish, windowpane, northern kingfish, and southern kingfish in waters south of Cape Hatteras.

In the Middle Atlantic and in waters south of Cape

Hatteras, Crangon septemspinosa, portunids (e.g., Ovalipes

ocellatus), Cancer irroratus, and Munida spp. were important decapod prey.

Four predators examined from the Southern New England area (i.e., smooth dogfish, black sea bass, longhorn

sculpin, and sea raven) fed intensively on decapods. In

this area, for all predators which ate decapods, the most

important prey were C. irroratus, C. borealis, Crangon

septemspinosa, and Dichelopandalus leptocerus.

On Georges Bank, the same species of prey as noted for

Southern New England were also principal food, along with

Hyas spp. and Pagurus spp. Only the stomachs of longhorn sculpin and sea raven sampled on Georges Bank contained >50% decapods.

The largest portion of the decapods consumed in the

Gulf of Maine was made up of a combination of Cancer

borealis, Hyas spp., Pandalus borealis, and D. leptocerus.

Predators in this area with >50% decapod prey were

blackbelly rosefish and longhorn sculpin.

In Scotian Shelf waters, decapods such as C. irroratus,

Pasiphaea spp., Crangon septemspinosa, and D. leptocerus

were the most important prey. The stomach contents of

both sea raven and longhorn sculpin contained >50% decapods. Also worthy of mention is Atlantic halibut with

49.6% decapods.

Fish from the inshore area north of Cape Hatteras fed

principally on Cancer irroratus, O. ocellatus, Crangon

septemspinosa, and D. leptocerus. Predators in the inshore

area with >50% decapod prey were smooth dogfish and

black sea bass.

Crustaceans Other than Decapods

Five taxonomic groups accounted for the majority of

crustacean prey other than decapods. Three of these (i.e.,

copepods, amphipods, and euphausiids) were an important

food in all geographic areas sampled (i.e., either individually or in some combination they made up >50% of the diet
Page 5

by weight of several predators). The other two groups,

mysids and stomatopods, were important prey in only four

of the seven areas sampled (Table 6 and Appendix B).

Mysids were important as a food source in the Middle Atlantic, Southern New England, inshore north of Cape

Hatteras, and on Georges Bank. Stomatopods were major

prey of several predators in the Middle Atlantic, Southern

New England, inshore north of Cape Hatteras, and south of

Cape Hatteras.

In the Middle Atlantic, crustaceans other than decapods made up >50% of the diet of alewife, haddock (only

one fish was examined), and northern sand lance. Southern

New England fishes which fed intensively on one or more

of the nondecapod crustacean groups noted earlier in this

section are alewife, yellowtail flounder, Atlantic mackerel,

northern sand lance, and ocean pout. Predators identified

for Georges Bank were alewife, Atlantic mackerel, black sea

bass, Acadian redfish, and northern sand lance. In the Gulf

of Maine, seven predators fed for the most part only on

nondecapod crustaceans: Atlantic herring, alewife, Atlantic mackerel, summer flounder, Acadian redfish, northern

sand lance, and longfin inshore squid). Within the Scotian

Shelf area, the stomachs of Atlantic herring, alewife, Atlantic mackerel, Acadian redfish, and ocean pout all contained

>90% by weight of crustaceans other than decapods. Predation on these crustaceans inshore north of Cape Hatteras

was most important to species such as alewife, Atlantic

mackerel, northern sand lance, fawn cusk-eel, and windowpane. None of the species examined from waters south of

Cape Hatteras had stomachs containing >50% nondecapod

crustaceans.

Other Prey

Major stomach content categories such as echinoderms,

gastropods, bivalve mollusks, chaetognaths, cnidarians,

nemerteans (i.e., rhynchocoels), tunicates, animal remains,

and sand made up the majority (either individually or in

some combination) of what is found in the stomachs of 32

predators (Table 7). Of these categories, only those which

individually made up >50% of the stomach contents by

weight of a predator within a particular area are noted in the

remainder of this section (excluding animal remains and

sand).

None of these prey categories totaled >50% of the stomach contents of any predator in the Middle Atlantic or

Southern New England. On Georges Bank, Atlantic herring

fed intensively on chaetognaths, American plaice ate (for

the most part) only echinoderms (92.3%), and Atlantic wolffish consumed bivalve mollusks. In the Gulf of Maine, echinoderms were an important food of haddock and ocean

pout. Only one predator each within the Scotian Shelf,

inshore area north of Cape Hatteras, and area south of Cape

Hatteras fed primarily on any prey category considered here

(i.e., winter flounder eating cnidarians, ocean pout consuming echinoderms, and butterfish preying on tunicates, respectively).

OBSERVATIONS

Scientists at the NEFSC’s Woods Hole Laboratory have

conducted broadscale dietary studies of fishes sampled

during bottom trawl surveys since 1963. Dietary data presented here, which are largely based on samples from the

1977-80 portion of the survey series, corroborate earlier reports that relatively few species account for a substantial

portion of the food of Northwest Atlantic continental shelf

fishes and squids [Edwards and Bowman (1979), Bowman

and Michaels (1984), Bowman et al. (1984), Maurer and

Bowman (1985)]. The abundances of some species identified as critical prey are known to fluctuate among seasons

and years based on indices generated by these surveys.

During 1977-80 (i.e., this study’s period, in part), when the

survey indices rose for northern sand lance, we simultaneously found sand lance to be a major prey item.

This report summarizes much dietary information into

various predator/prey groups, but that information does

not take into account predator/prey population sizes, or

spatial/temporal aspects, of predation (i.e., overlap of predator and prey populations). Before the impact of predation

on a population can be determined, these factors must be

considered.

A complete list of all stomach contents for all predator

species in this report can be obtained from the Food Chain

Dynamics Investigation at the NEFSC.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Personnel of the NEFSC’s Food Chain Dynamics Investigation contributing to the compilation of this report,

listed alphabetically, were: John Hauser, Brian Hayden,

Richard Langton, Lisa Lierheimer, Donald Mack, Ronald

Mack, Scott McNamara, Thomas Morris, Jacqueline Murray,

James Myette, Stephen Spina, Andrea Swiecicki, and Lynn

Whiteley. Eleanore Beale, Elke Bergholz-Nelson, Edward

Brown-Ledger, Caroline Karp, Lisa Urry, and numerous summer students and survey technicians helped to collect and

analyze stomach contents. Members of the NEFSC’s Apex

Predators Ecology Investigation deserving special thanks

for processing stomach contents and providing data summaries are John Casey, Nancy Kohler, and Robert Medved.

Jon Gibson, Michael Fogarty, and Russell Brown provided

useful suggestions on the organization and content of the

manuscript.
Page 6

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(Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification. Fish.

Bull. (U.S.) 96:686-726.

Edwards, R.L.; Bowman R.E. 1979. Food consumed by continental shelf fishes. In: Predator-prey systems in fish communities and their role in fisheries management. Washington, DC: Sports Fishing Institute; p. 387-406.

Gosner, K.L. 1971. Guide to identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons;

693 p.

Grosslein, M.D.; Azarovitz, T.R. 1982. Fish distribution. MESA

(Mar. Ecosyst. Anal.) N.Y. Bight Atlas Monogr. 15. Albany, NY: New York Sea Grant Institute; 182 p.

Langton, R.W.; Bowman, R.E. 1980. Food of fifteen Northwest

Atlantic gadiform fishes. NOAA (Natl. Ocean. Atmos.

Admin.) Tech. Rep. NMFS SSRF-740; 23 p.

Langton, R.W.; Bowman, R.E. 1981. Food of eight Northwest

Atlantic pleuronectiform fishes. NOAA (Natl. Ocean.

Atmos. Admin.) Tech. Rep. NMFS SSRF-749; 16 p.

Langton, R.W.; North, B.M.; Hayden, B.P.; Bowman, R.E. 1980.

Fish food-habit studies -- sampling procedures and data

processing methods utilized by the Northeast Fisheries

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Explor. Sea) C.M. 1980/L:61; 8 p. Available from: International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Palægade 2-

4, DK-1261 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Maurer, R.O.; Bowman, R.E. 1975. Food habits of marine fishes

of the Northwest Atlantic — data report. Woods Hole

Lab. Ref. Doc. 75-3; 90 p. Available from: National Marine

Fisheries Service, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543.

Maurer, R.O.; Bowman, R.E. 1985. Food consumption of squids

(Illex illecebrosus and Loligo pealei) off the northeastern United States. NAFO (Northwest Atl. Fish. Org.) Sci.

Counc. Stud. 9:117-124.

Robins, C.R. (chairman); Bailey, R.M.; Bond, C.E.; Brooker,

J.R.; Lachner, E.A.; Lea, R.N.; Scott, W.B. 1991. Common

and scientific names of fishes from the United States and

Canada. 5th ed. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 20; 183 p.

Sherman, K. 1986. Measurement strategies for monitoring and

forecasting variability in large marine ecosystems. In:

Sherman, K.; Alexander, L., eds. Variability and management of large marine ecosystems: AAAS selected symposium 99. Boulder, CO: Westview Press; p. 203-236.

Sissenwine, M.P. 1984. Why do fish populations vary? In:

May, R., ed. Exploitation of marine communities. Berlin,

Germany: Springer-Verlag; p. 59-94.

Turgeon D.D. (chairman), Bogan, A.E.; Coan, E.V.; Emerson,

W.K.; Lyons, W.G.; Pratt, W.L.; Roper, C.F.E.; Scheltema,

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scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United

States and Canada: mollusks. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ.

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Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates

from the United States and Canada: mollusks. 2nd ed. Am.

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1989. Common and scientific names of names of aquatic

invertebrates from the United States and Canada: decapod crustaceans. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 17; 77 p.
Page 7

Table 1. Percentage of total stomach contents by weight of six functional prey groups for 170 species of fish and squid

collected in the Northwest Atlantic. (The order of species follows the taxonomic index presented earlier.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 Functional Prey Group ___________________________________________________________

Decapod Other All

Predator Fish Squid Polychaete Crustacean Crustacean Other

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 19.0 34.6 <0.1 0.4 16.2 29.8

Longfin inshore squid 13.7 5.6 <0.1 0.2 4.5 76.0

Atlantic hagfish 47.6 ---- 52.4

Sand tiger 100.0 -----

Bigeye thresher 83.5 15.1 - - - 1.4

Thresher shark 97.1 2.9 ----

White shark 27.0 ---- 73.0

Shortfin mako 98.2 1.4 - - - 0.4

Longfin mako 91.9 4.9 - - - 3.2

Porbeagle 0.7 99.3 ----

Chain dogfish 49.5 20.7 6.3 10.0 12.4 1.1

Bignose shark 38.4 ---- 61.6

Silky shark 57.5 32.3 - - - 10.2

Dusky shark 58.1 14.4 - 11.5 6.1 9.9

Sandbar shark 98.2 - - - - 1.8

Night shark 1.2 97.9 - - - 0.9

Tiger shark 57.6 0.3 - - - 42.1

Smooth dogfish 7.4 8.2 0.8 72.1 2.6 8.9

Blue shark 53.9 33.8 - - - 12.3

Atlantic sharpnose shark 80.0 5.2 - 8.3 1.4 5.1

Scalloped hammerhead 100.0 -----

Smooth hammerhead 98.0 - - - - 2.0

Spiny dogfish 53.7 17.8 - 3.3 1.0 24.2

Atlantic angel shark 83.3 7.7 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 8.8

Atlantic torpedo 100.0 - <0.1 - - -

Clearnose skate 57.8 0.6 0.4 38.6 0.8 1.8

Little skate 9.5 - 12.9 40.5 25.0 12.1

Rosette skate 1.7 2.6 0.7 81.8 9.9 3.3

Barndoor skate - - - 100.0 - -

Winter skate 66.2 7.0 8.5 4.8 2.6 10.9

Thorny skate 45.3 22.9 6.4 9.1 3.9 12.4

Smooth skate <0.1 - - 69.2 27.4 3.4

Southern stingray 0.7 - 0.3 98.7 0.3 -

Roughtail stingray 31.1 - <0.1 68.7 0.1 0.1

Bluntnose stingray 40.9 - 10.2 23.2 1.0 24.7

Spiny butterfly ray 6.9 ---- 93.1

Bullnose ray <0.1 - 2.2 6.2 0.2 91.4

Cownose ray 90.7 - - 0.3 8.6 0.4

Margined snake eel - - 31.7 61.7 6.4 0.2

Slender snipe eel ---- 100.0 -

Conger eel 96.5 - - - 0.1 3.4

Blueback herring - - - 0.9 49.6 49.5

Hickory shad - - - 100.0 - -

Alewife 1.7 0.1 - 2.5 86.2 9.5
Page 8

Table 1. (cont.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 Functional Prey Group __________________________________________________________

Decapod Other All

Predator Fish Squid Polychaete Crustacean Crustacean Other

_____________________________________________________________________________________

American shad 16.3 1.1 - - 78.1 4.5

Atlantic menhaden - - - 0.5 49.3 50.2

Atlantic herring <0.1 - - <0.1 85.2 14.8

Round herring 32.8 - - 21.3 41.3 4.6

Atlantic thread herring ----- 100.0

Spanish sardine ---- 100.0 <0.1

Striped anchovy 0.3 - 5.9 2.8 79.5 11.5

Atlantic argentine 10.3 0.5 1.0 1.6 70.8 15.8

Atlantic salmon - - 4.6 0.3 - 95.1

Shortnose greeneye - - 10.7 - 68.8 20.5

Inshore lizardfish 100.0 -----

Offshore lizardfish 2.5 96.2 - 1.3 - -

Snakefish ----- 100.0

Longnose lancetfish 2.8 1.0 - 13.5 82.6 0.1

Lanternfish uncl. 6.2 - - 20.5 52.4 20.9

Hygophum taaningi - - 0.5 3.3 95.7 0.5

Mullers pearlsides ---- 100.0 -

Cusk 15.5 0.1 <0.1 47.7 3.7 33.0

Fourbeard rockling - - 65.7 - 1.2 33.1

Atlantic cod 56.8 12.5 2.5 17.8 3.3 7.1

Haddock 3.0 1.1 14.1 2.9 15.4 63.5

Offshore hake ---- 82.5 17.5

Silver hake 63.0 7.7 - 5.2 23.4 0.7

Pollock 54.1 23.5 - 2.6 18.3 1.5

Longfin hake 0.5 - - - 99.1 0.4

Red hake 21.7 5.7 2.6 25.9 37.4 6.7

Spotted hake 39.1 25.0 0.9 11.9 16.4 6.7

White hake 57.1 21.4 0.1 7.1 13.5 0.8

Marlin-spike - - 0.4 - 99.6 -

Longnose grenadier - - 80.1 2.9 10.9 6.1

Grenadier uncl. - - 16.7 - 27.3 56.0

Fawn cusk-eel 9.8 - 25.7 23.9 27.3 13.3

Striped cusk-eel - - - 70.3 29.7 -

Atlantic midshipman 68.9 23.2 - 2.8 5.1 -

Goosefish 73.9 24.9 - - - 1.2

Atlantic needlefish ---- 100.0 -

Atlantic saury ---- 45.6 54.4

Tidewater silverside ---- 100.0 -

Buckler dory 100.0 -----

Deepbody boarfish 3.3 - - - 43.1 53.6

Threespine stickleback 75.0 - - - 25.0 -

Red cornetfish 100.0 -----

Cornetfish uncl. 26.7 - - - 73.3 -

Longspine snipefish ---- 100.0 -

Northern pipefish ---- 100.0 -
Page 9

Table 1. (cont.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 Functional Prey Group ___________________________________________________________

Decapod Other All

Predator Fish Squid Polychaete Crustacean Crustacean Other

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Blackbelly rosefish 2.1 3.0 3.3 46.7 5.4 39.5

Acadian redfish 7.5 - 0.1 3.1 88.2 1.1

Scorpionfish uncl. - - - 100.0 - -

Armored searobin 1.1 - - 39.1 48.0 11.8

Spiny searobin ---- 100.0 -

Northern searobin 14.7 - 15.2 37.3 14.2 18.6

Striped searobin 77.3 - - 21.3 1.3 0.1

Bluespotted searobin ---- 100.0 -

Searobin uncl. ---- 44.4 55.6

Hookear sculpin uncl. - - 54.2 - 25.3 20.5

Sea raven 73.8 1.4 - 24.0 - 0.8

Longhorn sculpin 10.5 - 2.1 77.2 5.2 5.0

Shorthorn sculpin - - - 58.4 2.9 38.7

Moustache sculpin - - 16.1 67.9 15.6 0.4

Bigeye sculpin - - 47.9 34.7 15.6 1.8

Alligatorfish - - - 3.4 96.6 -

Lumpfish - - 10.9 0.4 0.4 88.3

Atlantic seasnail ---- 100.0 -

Striped bass 100.0 -----

Black sea bass 28.5 3.8 1.9 45.6 8.9 11.3

Sand perch 100.0 -----

Red grouper - 100.0 ----

Scamp 97.0 - - 3.0 <0.1 -

Bigeye - - 21.2 - 15.4 63.4

Tilefish <0.1 - 0.2 4.4 17.5 77.9

Bluefish 58.8 40.0 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2

Cobia 29.5 12.9 - 54.3 - 3.3

Atlantic bumper ----- 100.0

Round scad ----- 100.0

Bigeye scad 13.6 - - 10.6 4.1 71.7

Greater amberjack 100.0 -----

Banded rudderfish 97.0 - - 3.0 - -

Rough scad ---- 38.0 62.0

Vermilion snapper 0.5 81.7 - <0.1 0.1 17.7

Tomtate 0.4 - 5.6 1.0 5.6 87.4

White grunt 13.1 - 18.9 13.2 4.3 50.5

Pigfish - - 61.2 5.8 0.7 32.3

Whitebone porgy 100.0 -----

Spottail pinfish 0.2 - - 4.6 5.2 90.0

Pinfish 1.7 ---- 98.3

Longspine porgy 2.9 0.8 11.3 21.6 7.2 56.2

Scup 23.5 11.8 21.0 7.3 13.1 23.3

Silver perch ---- 100.0 -

Weakfish 76.0 7.8 1.0 10.4 4.5 0.3

Banded drum - - - 19.9 80.1 -
Page 10

Table 1. (cont.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 Functional Prey Group ___________________________________________________________

Decapod Other All

Predator Fish Squid Polychaete Crustacean Crustacean Other

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Spot 2.9 - 53.9 2.6 11.3 29.3

Southern kingfish 15.9 - 10.3 48.2 15.3 10.3

Northern kingfish 9.4 - 3.8 82.7 2.1 2.0

Atlantic croaker 12.5 2.0 37.4 10.3 13.4 24.4

Atlantic spadefish ----- 100.0

Hogfish - - - 0.9 29.7 69.4

Tautog - - - 100.0 - -

Cunner 1.8 - 0.8 72.0 2.9 22.5

Ocean pout <0.1 - 2.1 5.4 19.3 73.2

Atlantic soft pout ---- 100.0 -

Radiated shanny - - 2.3 - 5.4 92.3

Wrymouth - - - 100.0 - -

Atlantic wolffish - - 0.1 13.0 1.6 85.3

Southern stargazer 100.0 -----

Northern sand lance 0.8 - <0.1 - 74.8 24.4

Atlantic cutlassfish 69.2 - - 21.9 8.1 0.8

Little tunny 99.3 - - - 0.6 0.1

Atlantic bonito 80.7 19.3 ----

Chub mackerel 0.8 - - - 12.6 86.6

Atlantic mackerel 0.1 0.2 <0.1 0.7 89.5 9.5

King mackerel 99.9 0.1 ----

Spanish mackerel 82.5 16.5 - 0.4 - 0.6

Swordfish 32.5 67.4 - - - 0.1

Harvestfish ----- 100.0

Butterfish 0.1 - 2.3 0.1 1.7 95.8

Gulf Stream flounder 4.6 - 47.2 7.2 34.1 6.9

Summer flounder 61.1 34.2 - 1.8 2.6 0.3

Fourspot flounder 11.8 54.3 2.0 27.3 2.5 2.1

Windowpane 31.4 - 0.9 14.3 51.6 1.8

Dusky flounder 8.7 - - 25.5 65.8 -

Witch flounder - - 85.7 - 3.4 10.9

American plaice - - 2.2 4.0 1.2 92.6

Atlantic halibut 65.7 18.5 - 15.4 <0.1 0.4

Winter flounder 3.5 - 35.6 0.8 7.1 53.0

Yellowtail flounder 0.7 - 38.5 6.4 42.5 11.9

Planehead filefish - 5.8 66.7 - - 27.5

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Page 11

Table 2. Percentage by weight of fish component of diet of piscivores according to geographic area of collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 23.0 12.3 5.2 13.1 7.1 73.3 -

Longfin inshore squid 17.0 15.3 7.6 0.0 0.0 21.4 17.8

Dusky shark 17.9 - - - - 86.2 21.5

Smooth dogfish 10.1 7.8 - - - 5.8 24.6

Atlantic sharpnose shark - - - - - 77.1 81.0

Spiny dogfish 72.7 55.8 49.9 40.9 30.6 60.4 92.4

Little skate 24.2 1.7 2.9 - - 17.5 -

Winter skate - 66.6 65.2 88.1 - 88.2 -

Thorny skate - - 68.1 38.3 15.4 64.8 -

Alewife 1.9 2.0 0.4 0.1 - 7.3 -

Atlantic herring - - 0.0 <0.1 - 0.0 0.0

Atlantic cod 74.2 71.9 40.3 43.8 4.0 61.4 -

Haddock - <0.1 <0.1 3.9 <0.1 0.0 -

Silver hake 74.1 88.9 62.2 50.2 85.7 51.6 -

Pollock - - 56.1 4.9 15.4 100.0 -

Red hake 51.9 31.5 8.9 22.6 30.9 51.3 -

White hake - 97.8 55.2 42.9 51.0 93.5 -

Fawn cusk-eel 0.0 19.9 0.0 - - 0.0 -

Goosefish 96.0 63.2 28.5 81.1 91.2 46.6 -

Blackbelly rosefish 10.1 2.9 0.6 0.0 - - -

Acadian redfish - - 0.0 15.6 <0.1 - -

Sea raven - 0.0 44.2 97.6 36.5 90.6 -

Longhorn sculpin - 1.0 12.9 0.0 0.0 - -

Black sea bass 23.6 3.0 0.0 - - 18.4 44.8

Bluefish 98.1 4.6 33.9 - - 75.5 94.1

Scup 0.0 0.8 - - - 30.0 55.7

Weakfish 0.0 100.0 - - - 76.3 74.1

Spot 0.0 - - - - 0.1 9.9

Southern kingfish - - - - - 6.4 21.0

Northern kingfish - - - - - 27.9 5.2

Ocean pout - <0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 <0.1 -

Northern sand lance 6.5 2.5 0.5 0.0 - <0.1 -

Atlantic mackerel - 0.0 <0.1 0.2 2.4 0.0 -

Butterfish <0.1 0.0 0.0 - - <0.1 0.2

Gulf Stream flounder 0.0 6.8 0.0 - - - -

Summer flounder 95.7 43.2 100.0 0.0 - 60.3 90.2

Fourspot flounder 41.6 19.5 0.3 - - - -

Windowpane 55.7 23.6 71.6 - - 22.1 0.0

Atlantic halibut - - 84.0 51.8 25.7 97.3 -

Winter flounder 0.0 <0.1 5.2 0.0 0.0 2.1 -

Yellowtail flounder - 0.9 0.0 - - 0.9 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 12

Table 3. Percentage by weight of squid component of diet of predators which eat squid according to geographic area of collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 36.1 30.3 40.8 22.7 70.0 3.2 -

Longfin inshore squid 10.1 8.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 8.0 4.6

Dusky shark 0.0 ---- 12.2 24.6

Smooth dogfish 3.7 0.7 - - - 10.1 <0.1

Atlantic sharpnose shark - - - - - 0.0 7.1

Spiny dogfish 5.0 22.4 17.2 24.7 26.3 9.1 3.4

Winter skate - 10.2 6.9 11.7 - 0.0 -

Thorny skate - - 6.4 32.6 16.3 <0.1 -

Alewife 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -

Atlantic cod 0.0 <0.1 1.6 43.6 0.0 <0.1 -

Haddock 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 1.9 0.0 -

Silver hake 17.0 3.2 0.0 0.0 3.5 32.7 -

Pollock - - 5.9 46.8 80.9 0.0 -

Red hake 0.0 30.1 6.2 1.4 23.6 0.5 -

White hake - 0.0 0.0 29.5 40.1 0.0 -

Goosefish 0.0 22.7 49.6 14.6 3.5 53.3 -

Blackbelly rosefish 0.0 0.0 4.5 0.0 - - -

Sea raven - 0.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 <0.1 -

Black sea bass 1.6 0.0 0.0 - - 5.3 5.5

Bluefish 1.3 95.3 65.8 - - 22.2 3.5

Scup 0.0 0.0 - - - 15.8 0.0

Weakfish 0.0 0.0 - - - 5.9 19.0

Atlantic mackerel - <0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 -

Summer flounder 1.3 55.6 0.0 0.0 - 31.1 -

Fourspot flounder 0.0 45.3 73.1 - - - -

Atlantic halibut - - 15.4 25.4 22.9 1.1 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 13

Table 4. Percentage by weight of polychaete component of diet of predators which eat polychaetes according to geographic area of

collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 <0.1 0.1 -

Longfin inshore squid <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0

Smooth dogfish 0.3 0.8 - - - 0.6 0.6

Little skate 3.2 21.7 15.0 - - 3.3 -

Winter skate - 9.0 8.4 <0.1 - 2.7 -

Thorny skate - - 5.6 8.5 45.5 29.6 -

Alewife 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 -

Atlantic cod 1.1 5.4 2.4 0.1 <0.1 1.9 -

Haddock 0.0 47.1 18.6 7.8 29.4 42.2 -

Red hake 0.6 1.8 0.6 2.4 1.2 9.4 -

White hake - 0.0 0.2 <0.1 0.0 0.3 -

Fawn cusk-eel 46.4 13.6 26.3 - - 22.1 -

Blackbelly rosefish 0.0 11.2 1.8 15.8 - - -

Acadian redfish - - 0.0 0.0 <0.1 - -

Longhorn sculpin - 5.0 1.1 17.9 2.5 - -

Black sea bass 3.7 0.3 0.0 - - 0.9 0.2

Bluefish 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - 0.8 0.4

Scup 52.5 34.0 - - - 14.8 18.1

Weakfish 0.0 0.0 - - - 1.0 0.1

Spot 1.7 ---- 73.2 3.5

Southern kingfish - ---- 24.6 2.0

Northern kingfish - ---- 14.4 1.3

Ocean pout - 3.9 0.6 5.7 0.0 <0.1 -

Atlantic wolfish - 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 -

Northern sand lance 0.0 <0.1 <0.1 0.0 - <0.1 -

Atlantic mackerel - 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -

Butterfish 0.0 3.7 0.0 - - 3.3 <0.1

Gulf Stream flounder 61.0 43.2 46.4 - - - -

Fourspot flounder 6.0 4.1 0.0 - - - -

Windowpane 0.5 0.5 2.3 - - 0.9 0.0

Witch flounder - - 76.7 82.6 74.7 90.7 -

American plaice - - 0.5 1.0 0.0 7.9 -

Winter flounder 74.2 43.8 24.2 37.1 <0.1 48.5 -

Yellowtail flounder - 28.9 71.9 - - 25.6 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 14

Table 5. Percentage by weight of decapod crustacean component of diet of predators which eat decapods according to geographic area

of collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 1.2 1.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 -

Longfin inshore squid 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0

Dusky shark 79.0 - - - - 0.2 4.8

Smooth dogfish 74.2 89.2 - - - 70.0 59.9

Atlantic sharpnose shark - ---- 22.1 3.6

Spiny dogfish 1.3 1.1 5.7 0.1 0.1 11.9 1.6

Little skate 42.8 25.7 47.1 - - 49.4 -

Winter skate - 1.5 4.5 0.0 - 6.5 -

Thorny skate - - 17.1 5.8 10.9 3.5 -

Alewife 0.0 0.7 0.3 <0.1 0.0 15.4 -

Atlantic herring - - 0.0 <0.1 0.0 0.0 -

Atlantic cod 24.3 17.9 34.1 5.5 10.0 21.6 -

Haddock 0.0 8.1 2.2 1.7 7.0 8.9 -

Silver hake 2.8 4.5 5.6 6.8 1.9 5.5 -

Pollock - - 3.4 5.2 2.1 0.0 -

Red hake 41.0 25.5 33.3 19.3 30.3 29.0 -

White hake - 1.6 39.3 5.4 7.7 5.1 -

Fawn cusk-eel 19.0 30.1 17.4 - - 11.4 -

Blackbelly rosefish 72.3 39.1 39.2 84.2 - - -

Acadian redfish - - 0.0 0.5 5.6 - -

Sea raven - 64.8 51.5 1.5 63.5 8.4 -

Longhorn sculpin - 85.5 74.9 72.4 94.2 - -

Black sea bass 48.1 52.4 21.1 - - 55.9 32.4

Bluefish 0.0 0.0 <0.1 - - 0.4 1.2

Scup 17.0 2.7 - - - 7.7 2.0

Weakfish 0.0 0.0 - - - 11.1 6.2

Spot 2.6 - - - - 2.3 2.5

Southern kingfish - ---- 43.1 51.1

Northern kingfish - ---- 46.2 90.7

Ocean pout - 10.2 5.8 0.8 0.0 0.0 -

Atlantic wolfish - 0.0 7.9 14.6 22.0 12.2 -

Atlantic mackerel - 0.0 2.1 <0.1 0.0 0.0 -

Butterfish 0.0 0.2 0.3 - - 0.2 0.0

Gulf Stream flounder 2.5 9.0 5.6 - - - -

Summer flounder 2.4 0.6 0.0 0.0 - 2.8 5.2

Fourspot flounder 48.8 20.9 22.9 - - - -

Windowpane 14.6 32.7 15.3 - - 7.5 100.0

American plaice - - 0.1 1.0 0.0 17.4 -

Atlantic halibut - - 0.1 22.0 49.6 1.5 -

Winter flounder 2.5 1.2 0.4 2.8 0.0 0.4 -

Yellowtail flounder - 1.6 0.6 - - 39.5 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 15

Table 6. Percentage by weight of crustaceans (other than decapods) in diet of predators which eat such crustaceans according to

geographic area of collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 8.5 18.6 22.0 26.4 4.8 3.9 -

Longfin inshore squid 3.4 7.5 3.1 70.1 0.0 3.6 1.4

Dusky shark 0.0 - - - - 1.1 18.1

Smooth dogfish 2.3 0.4 - - - 2.5 9.9

Atlantic sharpnose shark - - - - - <0.1 2.0

Spiny dogfish <0.1 0.2 <0.1 3.4 0.3 2.6 0.0

Little skate 10.7 36.0 20.3 - - 23.6 -

Winter skate - 6.7 1.7 0.1 - 1.6 -

Thorny skate - - 0.4 4.9 9.8 0.5 -

Alewife 56.5 92.4 82.1 93.1 99.9 68.3 -

Atlantic herring - - 4.3 97.6 97.2 2.3 0.0

Atlantic cod <0.1 1.3 5.4 3.8 21.1 3.1 -

Haddock 100.0 6.1 20.1 14.9 5.7 11.7 -

Silver hake 5.4 2.3 31.7 41.9 8.4 9.7 -

Pollock - - 32.4 39.3 0.5 0.0 -

Red hake 1.6 6.9 38.6 46.7 11.7 4.3 -

White hake - 0.3 3.5 21.1 0.0 0.1 -

Fawn cusk-eel 29.5 14.5 47.6 - - 66.5 -

Blackbelly rosefish 10.5 13.9 2.5 0.0 - - -

Acadian redfish - - 100.0 82.1 93.8 - -

Sea raven - 0.0 <0.1 0.0 0.0 <0.1 -

Longhorn sculpin - 5.9 4.3 7.0 <0.1 - -

Black sea bass 15.0 44.3 76.3 - - 8.2 0.5

Bluefish 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - 0.3 0.2

Scup 0.1 9.5 - - - 14.6 0.3

Weakfish 0.0 0.0 - - - 4.9 <0.1

Spot 3.4 - - - - 6.8 20.2

Southern kingfish - - - - - 4.8 20.9

Northern kingfish - - - - - 5.5 1.3

Ocean pout - 61.0 5.3 <0.1 100.0 <0.1 -

Atlantic wolfish - 33.3 0.1 4.2 0.5 0.0 -

Northern sand lance 61.6 57.5 79.8 70.7 - 87.8 -

Atlantic mackerel - 96.2 74.9 85.2 95.9 98.4 -

Butterfish 2.6 3.3 4.3 - - 1.3 0.1

Gulf Stream flounder 31.7 33.1 42.3 - - - -

Summer flounder 0.6 0.2 0.0 100.0 - 5.0 4.4

Fourspot flounder 1.4 3.8 2.3 - - - -

Windowpane 27.9 41.0 3.2 - - 67.8 0.0

Witch flounder - - 11.2 1.9 0.0 2.4 -

American plaice - - 2.2 1.3 0.0 0.2 -

Atlantic halibut - - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 -

Winter flounder 1.3 10.3 2.8 0.8 0.0 11.8 -

Yellowtail flounder - 54.8 14.6 - - 23.0 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 16

Table 7. Percentage by weight of all other prey (other than those noted in Tables 2-6) in diet of predators according to geographic area

of collection

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Area ____________________________________________________________________

Inshore

Southern North South

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Predator Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Northern shortfin squid 31.2 37.6 31.6 37.8 18.1 19.5 -

Longfin inshore squid 69.3 69.2 89.0 29.9 100.0 65.3 76.2

Dusky shark 3.1 - - - - 0.3 3.1

Smooth dogfish 9.4 1.1 - - - 11.0 5.0

Atlantic sharpnose shark - - - - - 0.8 6.4

Spiny dogfish 21.0 20.5 27.2 30.9 42.7 16.0 2.6

Little skate 19.1 14.9 14.7 - - 6.2 -

Winter skate - 6.0 13.3 0.1 - 1.0 -

Thorny skate - - 2.4 9.4 2.1 1.6 -

Alewife 39.1 5.6 17.5 6.8 0.1 23.8 -

Atlantic herring - - 95.7 2.4 2.8 97.7 100.0

Atlantic cod 0.4 3.5 15.1 3.2 64.9 12.0 -

Haddock 0.0 38.7 59.1 70.4 56.0 37.2 -

Silver hake 0.7 1.1 0.5 1.1 0.5 0.5 -

Pollock - - 2.2 3.8 1.1 0.0 -

Red hake 4.9 4.2 11.6 7.6 2.3 5.5 -

White hake - 0.3 1.8 1.1 1.2 1.0 -

Fawn cusk-eel 5.1 21.9 8.7 - - 0.0 -

Goosefish 1.0 1.2 0.7 2.4 <0.1 0.1 -

Blackbelly rosefish 7.1 32.9 51.4 0.0 - - -

Acadian redfish - - 0.0 1.8 0.6 - -

Sea raven - 35.2 0.7 0.9 0.0 1.0 -

Longhorn sculpin - 2.6 6.8 2.7 3.3 - -

Black sea bass 8.0 0.0 2.6 - - 11.3 21.6

Bluefish 0.6 0.1 0.3 - - 0.8 0.7

Scup 30.4 53.0 - - - 17.1 21.3

Weakfish 100.0 0.0 - - - 0.8 0.6

Spot 92.3 - - - - 17.6 63.9

Southern kingfish - - - - - 21.1 5.0

Northern kingfish - - - - - 6.0 1.6

Ocean pout - 24.9 88.3 93.5 0.0 100.0 -

Atlantic wolfish - 66.7 92.0 81.0 77.5 87.8 -

Northern sand lance 31.9 40.0 19.7 29.3 - 12.2 -

Atlantic mackerel - 3.8 22.4 14.6 1.7 1.6 -

Butterfish 97.4 92.8 95.4 - - 95.2 99.8

Gulf Stream flounder 4.8 7.9 5.7 - - - -

Summer flounder <0.1 0.4 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 0.2

Fourspot flounder 2.2 6.4 1.4 - - - -

Windowpane 1.3 2.2 7.6 - - 1.7 0.0

Witch flounder - - 12.1 15.5 25.3 6.9 -

American plaice - - 97.2 96.7 100.0 74.5 -

Atlantic halibut - - 0.5 0.8 1.8 0.1 -

Winter flounder 22.0 44.7 67.4 59.3 100.0 37.2 -

Yellowtail flounder - 13.8 12.9 - - 11.0 -

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 17

APPENDIX A

Overall Prey of 110 Predators Which Were Lightly Sampled 

and/or Not Well Represented in Collections 

during the NEFSC’s 1977-80 Bottom Trawl Surveys

Stomach content data for 110 subjectively chosen predator

species are given in Tables A-1 through A-13. These tables

present data for: 1) 86 predator species for which 25 or fewer

individuals were sampled during the 1977-80 NEFSC bottom

trawl surveys, and 2) 28 predator species not well represented

in the 1977-80 survey samples (i.e., there is some duplication

with the aforementioned 86 species). Data were gathered over

a number of years (i.e., 1963-84) from various areas, and were

collected and analyzed using different methods. Sources of the

data and other information for each species are included in the

13 tables.

Data on the latter 28 species are important because some of

the species are large pelagic predators which make up a

considerable biomass (e.g., blue shark), and which are known

to feed primarily on fish and squid.
Page 18

Table A-1. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic hagfish, sand tiger, bigeye thresher, thresher shark, white shark, shortfin mako, longfin

mako, and porbeagle. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl surveys, and 2 = Apex Predators Investigation studies.

Superscripts indicate data type: * = percentage by volume, and none = percentage by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Atlantic Sand Sand Bigeye Thresher White Shortfin Shortfin Longfin

Stomach Contents hagfish1 tiger1 tiger2

* thresher2* shark2* shark2* mako1 mako2* mako2* Porbeagle2*

 

CEPHALOPODA - - - [15.1] [2.9] - [22.9] [1.4] [4.9] [99.3]

Illex illecebrosus - - - 11.9 2.2 - - 1.2 - 69.5

Loligo pealeii - - - - - - 22.9 <0.1 - -

Cephalopoda unid. - - - 3.2 0.7 - - 0.2 4.9 29.8

ARTHROPODA [52.4] - - - - - - - - -

CHONDRICHTHYES - [33.2] [76.3] - - [1.1] - [0.3] [12.1] -

Odontaspididae - 33.2 - - - - - - - -

Carcharhinus sp. - - - - - - - - 12.1 -

Mustelus canis - - - - - 0.3 - - - -

Prionace glauca - - - - - 0.1 - 0.2 - -

Squaliformes - - - - - 0.7 - - - -

Raja eglanteria - - 76.3 - - - - - - -

Chondrichthyes unid. - - - - - - - 0.1 - -

OSTEICHTHYES [47.6] [66.8] [23.7] [83.5] [97.1] [25.9] [77.1] [97.9] [79.8] [0.7]

Anguilla rostrata - - - - - - - 0.2 - -

Etrumeus teres - - - 1.7 - - - - - -

Brevoortia tyrannus - - - - - - - 0.1 - -

Gadidae - - 0.1 - - - - 0.2 - -

Macrozoarces americanus - - - - - - - 0.1 - -

Exocoetidae - - - - 1.8 - - - - -

Scomberesox saurus - - - - 3.3 - - 0.4 - -

Pomatomus saltatrix - - - - 22.3 11.0 - 77.5 6.2 -

Stenotomus chrysops - 0.9 - - - - - - - -

Leiostomus xanthurus - 12.0 - - - - - - - -

Sciaenidae - - - 3.3 - - - - - -

Labridae - - 2.9 - - - - - - -

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 66.3 - - - - -

Euthynnus pelamis - - - - - - - 0.4 - -

Scomber scombrus - - - 1.5 - - - 0.6 - -

Thunnus thynnus - - - - - 13.7 - - 73.2 -

Thunnus sp. - - - - - - - 0.5 - -

Scombridae - - - 6.8 2.7 - - 2.4 - -

Xiphias gladius - - - - - - - 12.4 0.4 -

Peprilus triacanthus - 17.7 - - - - 30.8 <0.1 - -

Scorpaenidae - - - 53.8 - - - 0.4 - -

Sebastes fasciatus - - - - - - - 0.3 - -

Triglidae - - 20.6 - - - - 0.1 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 47.6 36.2 0.1 16.4 0.7 1.2 46.3 2.2 - 0.7

MAMMALIA - - - - - [73.0] - [0.3] - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - - - [1.4] - - - [0.1] [3.2] -

 

Number sampled 4 5 3 24 19 23 1 399 10 6

Number empty 3 0 0 6 7 9 0 126 4 2

Mean stomach content (g or cm3

) <0.1 275.1 687.0 245.7 388.4 2857.8 141.1 1226.5 1851.7 586.7

Mean fish length (cm) 42 235 169 238 199 187 146 NA 155 126

Fish length range (cm) 33-55 213-246 80-207 123-335 155-240 111-459 - 67-328 97-242 78-209

 
Page 19

Table A-2. Diet composition and sampling data for bignose shark, silky shark, sandbar shark, night shark, tiger shark, blue shark, scalloped

hammerhead, and smooth hammerhead. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl surveys, and 2 = Apex Predators

Investigation studies. Superscripts indicate data type: * = percentage by volume, and none = percentage by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Bignose Silky Sandbar Night Tiger Blue Scalloped Smooth Smooth

Stomach Contents shark2

* shark2* shark1 shark2* shark2* shark2* hammerhead1 hammerhead1 hammerhead2*

 

BIVALVIA - - [1.0] - - - - - -

Spisula solidissima - - 1.0 - - - - - -

CEPHALOPODA - [32.3] - [97.9] [0.3] [33.8] - - -

Illex illecebrosus - 29.2 - 38.8 - 3.7 - - -

Octopodida - - - - - 21.4 - - -

Cephalopoda unid. - 3.1 - 59.1 0.3 8.7 - - -

CHONDRICHTHYES [0.9] [0.2] - - [20.0] [2.1] - - [0.1]

Cetorhinus maximus - - - - 8.3 - - - -

Prionace glauca - - - - - 0.5 - - -

Carcharhinus obscurus - - - - 6.2 - - - -

Galeocerdo cuvieri - - - - 3.2 - - - -

Squaliformes 0.9 - - - 0.1 1.1 - - -

Raja sp. - - - - 2.0 0.4 - - -

Rajidae - 0.2 - - 0.2 0.1 - - 0.1

OSTEICHTHYES [37.5] [57.3] [98.2] [1.2] [37.6] [51.8] [100.0] [100.0] [97.9]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - 29.4 - - - - - -

Clupea harengus - - - - - 0.4 - - 17.1

Etrumeus teres - 0.8 - - - - - - -

Brevoortia tyrannus - 16.9 - - - - - - -

Clupeidae - - - - - 2.2 - - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - - - 12.0 - -

Lophius americanus - - - - 31.6 0.1 - - -

Alepisaurus sp. - - - - - 8.9 - - -

Urophycis tenuis - - 5.5 - - - - - -

Gadidae - - - - 0.2 13.2 - - -

Pomatomus saltatrix - - - - 4.4 13.4 - - -

Coryphaena hippurus - - - - - - - - 63.8

Stenotomus chrysops - - - - <0.1 0.1 - - -

Leiostomus xanthurus - - 23.4 - - - - - -

Scomber scombrus - - - - 0.3 2.5 - - -

Sciaenidae - 0.2 - - - - - - -

Peprilus triacanthus 0.8 - - 1.1 - 1.1 - - 6.5

Scorpaenidae 0.4 - - - - - - - -

Triglidae - - - - <0.1 - - - 5.9

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - - - 2.1 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 36.3 39.4 39.9 0.1 1.1 7.8 88.0 100.0 4.6

SEA TURTLE - - - - [7.6] - - - -

SEA AND LAND BIRDS - - - - [0.2] [0.4] - - -

MAMMALIA [61.6] - - - [30.1] [8.0] - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [10.2] [0.8] [0.9] [4.2] [3.9] - - [2.0]

 

Number sampled 22 54 7 66 52 1199 2 1 15

Number empty 13 36 4 35 12 617 0 0 9

Mean stomach content (g or cm3

) 180.8 60.3 12.7 40.5 1788.1 170.6 36.8 2.1 175.1

Mean fish length (cm) 155 111 160 112 181 187 67 92 146

Fish length range (cm) 66-210 73-212 104-240 60-196 102-305 53-356 54-81 - 128-204

 
Page 20

Table A-3. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic torpedo, rosette skate, barndoor skate, southern stingray, roughtail stingray, spiny

butterfly ray, bullnose ray, cownose ray, and margined snake eel. (Data source: 1977-80 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by

weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Atlantic Rosette Barndoor Southern Roughtail Spiny Bullnose Cownose Margined

Stomach Contents torpedo skate skate stingray stingray butterfly ray ray ray snake eel

 

RHYNCHOCOELA - - - - - - [3.8] - -

MOLLUSCA - [2.6] - - - - [84.9] - -

Gastropoda - - - - - - (1.1) - -

Bivalvia - - - - - - (73.1) - -

Yoldia sp. - - - - - - 0.6 - -

Ensis directus - - - - - - 26.3 - -

Bivalvia unid. - - - - - - 46.2 - -

Cephalopoda - (2.6) - - - - - - -

Nudibranchia - - - - - - (8.1) - -

Mollusca unid. - - - - - - (2.6) - -

POLYCHAETA [<0.1] [0.7] - [0.3] [<0.1] - [2.2] - [31.7]

Lumbrineris tenuis - - - - - - - - 31.1

Polychaeta unid. - - - - - - - - 0.6

CRUSTACEA - [91.7] [100.0] [99.0] [68.8] - [6.4] [8.9] [68.1]

Amphipoda - (1.0) - - - - (<0.1) - (6.4)

Melita sp. - - - - - - - - 1.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - - - - - - - - 4.9

Unciola irrorata - 0.8 - - - - - - -

Amphipoda unid. - 0.2 - - - - <0.1 - 0.3

Mysidacea - (3.4) - - - - - (8.6) -

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - - - - - - 8.5 -

Mysidacea unid. - 3.4 - - - - - 0.1 -

Decapoda - (81.8) (100.0) (98.7) (68.7) - (6.2) (0.3) (61.7)

Ranilia muricata - - - - - - 4.8 - -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 38.4 - - - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa - 27.3 - <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2 0.1 34.3

Pagurus sp. - - 5.8 - - - 0.2 0.2 -

Cancer irroratus - 49.1 37.2 - <0.1 - 1.0 - -

Cancer borealis - - 18.6 - - - - - -

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - 68.1 68.7 - - - -

Portunus sp. - - - 17.7 - - - - -

Munidairis sp. - - - - - - - - 27.4

Munida sp. - 5.0 - 0.2 - - - - -

Decapoda unid. - 0.4 - 12.7 <0.1 - - <0.1 -

Crustacea unid. - (5.5) - (0.3) (0.1) - (0.2) - -

OSTEICHTHYES [100.0] [1.7] - [0.7] [31.1] [6.9] [<0.1] [90.7] -

Ophichthus cruentifer - 1.6 - - - - - - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - - - - 90.7 -

Gadidae - - - - - - - - -

Merluccius bilinearis 58.7 - - - - - - - -

Stenotomus chrysops - - - - 7.2 - - - -

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 23.9 - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 41.3 0.1 - 0.7 <0.1 6.9 <0.1 - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.3] - - [0.1] [93.1] [2.7] [0.4] [0.2]

 

Number sampled 7 16 3 2 4 8 15 3 3

Number empty 3 1 0 0 0 4 2 0 0

Mean stomach content (g) 5.8 0.6 17.1 47.6 132.8 0.2 10.0 4.9 0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 70 32 85 85 99 63 70 47 39

Fish length range (cm) 25-125 19-42 78-92 84-87 76-129 52-112 37-123 40-52 36-42

 
Page 21

Table A-4. Diet composition and sampling data for slender snipe eel, conger eel, blueback herring, hickory shad, American shad, Atlantic thread

herring, Spanish sardine, striped anchovy, and Atlantic salmon. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl survey, and 4 =

1963-66 trawl survey. Superscripts indicate data type: # = percentage by occurrence, and none = percentage by weight. Squared

brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Slender Conger Blueback Hickory American Atlantic Spanish Striped Atlantic

Stomach Contents snipe eel1 eel1 herring1 shad4

# shad1 thread herring1 sardine1 anchovy1 salmon1

 

CTENOPHORA - - [42.5] - - - - - -

CHAETOGNATHA - - - - [0.2] - - - -

MOLLUSCA - - [<0.1] - [1.1] - - - -

Gastropoda - - <0.1 - - - - - -

Bivalvia - - <0.1 - - - - - -

Cephalopoda - - - - 1.1 - - - -

POLYCHAETA - - - - - - - [5.9] [4.6]

Phyllodocidae - - - - - - - 0.2 -

Lumbrineris tenuis ----- - ---

Polychaeta unid. - - - - - - - 5.7 4.6

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [0.1] [50.5] 25.0 [78.1] - [100.0] [82.3] [0.3]

Copepoda - - (41.6) - (2.8) - (100.0) (0.3) -

Centropages sp. - - - - - - - 0.1 -

Calanoida - - - - - - 100.0 0.2 -

Copepoda unid. - - 41.6 - 2.8 - - - -

Amphipoda - (<0.1) (8.0) - (0.2) - - - -

Parathemisto - - 8.0 - 0.2 - - - -

Melita sp. - - - - - - - - -

Leptocheirus pinguis ----- - ---

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 - - - - - - -

Mysidacea - - - - - - - (78.8) -

Neomysis americana - - - - - - - 30.9 -

Mysidacea unid. - - - - - - - 47.9 -

Euphausiacea - - - - (74.6) - - - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - - 59.7 - - - -

Euphausiacea unid. - - - - 14.9 - - - -

Decapoda - - (0.9) 25.0 - - - (2.8) (0.3)

Penaeidae - - - - - - - 1.7 -

Callianassa setimanus - - - - - - - 1.1 -

Crangon septemspinosa - - - 25.0 - - - - -

Munidairis sp. - - - - - - - - -

Decapoda larvae - - 0.9 - - - - - -

Decapoda unid. - - - - - - - - 0.3

Crustacea unid. (100.0) (0.1) - - (0.5) - - (0.4) -

OSTEICHTHYES - [96.5] - - [16.3] - - [0.3] -

Gadidae - 96.4 - - - - - - -

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - 14.4 - - - -

Osteichthyes scales - - - - - - - 0.3 -

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.1 - - 1.9 - - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.4] [7.0] - [4.3] [41.6] [<0.1] [11.1] [95.1]

SAND - - - - - [58.4] - [0.4] -

 

Number sampled 1 9 11 4 21 6 8 15 1

Number empty 0 2 2 2 0 2 0 1 0

Mean stomach content (g) <0.1 5.0 <0.1 NA 1.7 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 2.6

Mean fish length (cm) 45 61 22 43 25 14 5 11 34

Fish length range (cm) - 39-90 14-28 37-50 15-48 14-16 5-6 10-13 -

 
Page 22

Table A-5. Diet composition and sampling data for shortnose greeneye, inshore lizardfish, offshore lizardfish, snakefish, longnose lancetfish,

lanternfish unclassified, Hygophum taaningi, Maurolicus weitzmani, and fourbeard rockling. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 =

1977-80 trawl survey, 3 = 1969-72 trawl survey, and 5 = Food Chain Dynamics Investigation special studies. Data type: percentage by

weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Shortnose Inshore Offshore Longnose Lanternfish Hygophum Maurolicus Fourbeard 

Stomach Contents greeneye1 lizardfish1 lizardfish1 Snakefish1 lancetfish5 uncl.1 taaningi1 weitzmani3 rockling1

 

PLATYHELMINTHES - - - [7.7] - - - - -

MOLLUSCA - - [96.2] - [1.0] - - - -

Bivalvia - - - - - - - - (0.7)

Cephalopoda - - (96.2) - (1.0) - - - -

Octopodida - - - - 0.8 - - - -

Cephalopoda unid. - - 96.2 - 0.2 - - - -

POLYCHAETA [10.7] - - - - - [0.5] - [65.7]

Spionidae - - - - - - - - 20.7

Polychaeta unid. 10.7 - - - - - 0.5 - 45.0

CRUSTACEA [68.8] - [1.3] - [96.1] [72.9] [99.0] [100.0] [1.2]

Copepoda - - - - - (38.9) (48.4) (38.9) -

Pontellidae - - - - - - - 5.6 -

Centropages sp. - - - - - 4.2 - - -

Calanoida - - - - - - - 33.3 -

Copepoda unid. - - - - - 34.7 48.4 - -

Stomatopoda - - - - - (3.3) - - -

Amphipoda - - - - (74.5) (7.9) (0.9) - (0.2)

Parathemisto gaudichaudi - - - - - 2.8 - - -

Parathemisto sp. - - - - 71.5 - - - -

Prosina sp. - - - - 1.8 - - - -

Platyscelidae - - - - 0.5 - - - -

Pronima sp. - - - - 0.4 - - - -

Hyperiidae - - - - 0.3 0.7 0.9 - -

Ampelisca sp. - - - - - 4.4 - - -

Amphipoda unid. - - - - - - - - 0.2

Mysidacea - - - - - (0.4) - - -

Euphausiacea - - - - - (1.9) (36.1) - -

Euphausia krohni - - - - - - 35.2 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - - - - - 1.9 0.9 - -

Decapoda - - (1.3) - (13.5) (20.5) (3.3) - -

Lucifer faxoni - - - - - - 0.5 - -

Crangon septemspinosa - - - - - 16.5 - - -

Crabs unid. - - 1.3 - - - 2.8 - -

Brachyuran (megalops) - - - - 13.5 - - - -

Decapoda unid. - - - - - 4.0 - 2.8 -

Crustacea unid. (68.8) - - - (8.1) - (10.3) (61.1) (1.0)

OSTEICHTHYES - [100.0] [2.5] - [2.8] [6.2] - - -

Ogcocephalidae - - - - 1.0 - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. - 100.0 2.5 - 1.8 6.2 - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [20.5] - - [92.3] [0.1] [20.9] [0.5] - [32.4]

 

Number sampled 6 2 6 3 2 10 9 16 7

Number empty 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 1

Mean stomach content (g) <0.1 0.2 0.7 <0.1 25.1 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 12 26 10 18 73 8 6 NA 22

Fish length range (cm) 11-14 22-31 7-15 14-20 NA 8-10 6-7 NA 15-32

 
Page 23

Table A-6. Diet composition and sampling data for offshore hake, longfin hake, marlin-spike, longnose grenadier, grenadier unclassified,

striped cusk-eel, Atlantic midshipman, and Atlantic needlefish. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl survey, and

3 = 1969-72 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Offshore Longfin Marlin- Longnose Grenadier Striped Atlantic Atlantic

Stomach Contents hake1 hake1 spike1 grenadier1 uncl.1 cusk-eel1 midshipman1 needlefish3

 

MOLLUSCA - - - - - - [23.2] -

Cephalopoda - - - - - - 23.2 -

POLYCHAETA - - [0.4] [80.1] [16.7] - - -

Glycera sp. - - - 2.2 - - - -

Nephtys incisa - - - 15.6 - - - -

Nephtys sp. - - - 1.6 - - - -

Ophelina sp. - - - 26.0 - - - -

Spionidae - - - 0.2 - - - -

Lumbrineris fragilis - - - 5.6 - - - -

Lumbrineris sp. - - - 1.0 - - - -

Ninoe nigripes - - - 5.4 - - - -

Ampharetidae - - - - 4.4 - - -

Polychaeta unid. - - 0.4 22.5 12.3 - - -

CRUSTACEA [82.5] [99.1] [99.6] [13.8] [27.3] [100.0] [7.9] [100.0]

Copepoda - (3.7) - (0.3) - - - (100.0)

Calanus sp. - 1.7 - - - - - -

Centropages sp. - - - 0.3 - - - -

Calanoida - - - - - - - 100.0

Copepoda unid. - 2.0 - - - - - -

Stomatopoda - - - - - - (0.4) -

Cumacea - - (<0.1) (0.1) (0.2) - - -

Isopoda - (0.2) (0.5) - (17.7) - - -

Cirolana sp. - 0.2 0.5 - 17.7 - - -

Amphipoda - (0.3) - (5.5) (1.2) (29.7) (<0.1) -

Hyperiidae - 0.3 - - - - - -

Ampelisca sp. - - - 2.0 - - <0.1 -

Unciola sp. - - - 3.0 - - - -

Amphipoda unid. - - - 0.5 1.2 29.7 - -

Mysidacea - - (0.1) - (4.6) - (1.6) -

Pseudomma affine - - - - 4.6 - - -

Mysidacea unid. - - 0.1 - - - 1.6 -

Euphausiacea (82.5) (57.6) (99.0) - - - - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 47.3 99.0 - - - - -

Thysanoessa raschi 20.6 - - - - - - -

Euphausiacea unid. 61.9 10.3 - - - - - -

Decapoda - - - (2.9) - (70.3) (2.8) -

Crangon septemspinosa - - - 2.8 - 70.3 - -

Decapoda unid. - - - 0.1 - - 2.8 -

Crustacea unid. - (37.3) - (5.0) (3.6) - (3.1) -

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.5] - - - - [68.9] -

Engraulidae - - - - - - 64.5 -

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.5 - - - - 4.4 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [17.5] [0.4] - [6.1] [56.0] - - -

 

Number sampled 17 17 10 18 3 2 10 5

Number empty 14 4 1 0 0 0 1 4

Mean stomach content (g) <0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 27 20 20 15 26 25 14 NA

Fish length range (cm) 13-35 16-35 15-26 10-23 26 22-29 14 NA

 
Page 24

Table A-7. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic saury, silverside unclassified, buckler dory, deepbody boarfish, threespine

stickleback, red cornetfish, cornetfish unclassified, and longspine snipefish. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80

trawl survey, 3 = 1969-72 trawl survey, and 5 = Food Chain Dynamics Investigation special studies. Superscripts indicate data

type: # = percentage by occurrence, and none = percentage by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Atlantic Silverside Buckler Deepbody Threespine Red Cornetfish Longspine 

Stomach Contents saury5 uncl.3 dory3 boarfish1 stickleback1 cornetfish1 uncl.1 snipefish3

#

 

HYDROZOA [54.4] - - - - - - -

Siphonophora 54.4+ - - - - - - -

CRUSTACEA [45.6] [100.0] - [43.1] [25.0] - [73.3] 66.7

Copepoda - - - (4.2) (25.0) - - -

Metridia sp. - - - 3.6 - - - -

Calanoida - - - - - - - 16.7

Copepoda unid. - - - 0.6 25.0 - - -

Cumacea - - - (0.9) - - - -

Bodotriidae - - - 0.9 - - - -

Amphipoda - (100.0) - (0.3) - - - -

Hyperiidae - - - 0.2 - - - -

Caprellidae - 100.0 - - - - - -

Gammaridea - - - - - - - 66.7

Amphipoda unid. - - - 0.1 - - - -

Mysidacea - - - - - - (73.3) -

Praunus flexuosus - - - - - - 73.3 -

Euphausiacea (45.6)+ - - - - - - -

Crustacea unid. - - - (37.7) - - - -

OSTEICHTHYES - - [100.0] [3.3] [75.0] [100.0] [26.7] -

Stenotomus chrysops - - 32.1 - - - - -

Labridae - - - - - 91.0 - -

Percophidae - - - - - 1.5 - -

Osteichthyes larvae - - - - 75.0 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. - - 67.9 3.3 - 7.5 26.7 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - - - [53.6] - - - 16.7

 

Number sampled 30 36 5 5 1 5 1 6

Number empty 2 30 2 0 0 0 0 2

Mean stomach content (g) 0.7 <0.1 5.4 0.6 <0.1 11.0 <0.1 NA

Mean fish length (cm) 32 NA NA 12 5 69 32 NA

Fish length range (cm) NA NA NA 12-14 - 43-115 - NA

 

+ Not a positive identification due to being well digested.
Page 25

Table A-8. Diet composition and sampling data for scorpionfish unclassified, armored searobin, spiny searobin, striped searobin, bluespotted

searobin, searobin unclassified, hookear sculpin unclassified, shorthorn sculpin, and bigeye sculpin. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1

= 1977-80 trawl survey, and 3 = 1969-72 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predators 

Scorpionfish Armored Spiny Striped Bluespotted Searobin Hookear Shorthorn Bigeye 

Stomach Contents uncl.1 searobin1 searobin1 searobin1 searobin1 uncl.1 sculpin1 sculpin3 sculpin3

 

MOLLUSCA - - - [0.1] - - [12.1] - -

Bivalvia - - - 0.1 - - 12.1 - -

ANNELIDA - - - - - - [56.1] - [47.9]

Polychaeta - - - - - - (54.2) - (47.9)

Nephtyidae - - - - - - 34.4 - -

Polychaeta unid. - - - - - - 19.8 - 47.9

Annelida - - - - - - (1.9) - -

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [87.1] [100.0] [22.6] [100.0] [44.4] [25.3] [61.3] [50.3]

Stomatopoda - (10.1) - - - - - - -

Heterosquilla armata - 10.1 - - - - - - -

Cumacea - - - - - - 0.3 - -

Amphipoda - (14.9) - - - - (17.6) (<0.1) (9.6)

Harpinia propinqua - - - - - - 0.3 - -

Unciola irrorata - 12.2 - - - - - - -

Amphipoda unid. - 2.7 - - - - 17.3 <0.1 9.6

Mysidacea - - - - - - - - (3.6)

Decapoda (100.0) (38.8) - (21.3) - - - (58.4) (34.7)

Pasiphaeidae - - - - - - - 47.6 -

Crangonidae - 6.8 - - - - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa - - - 6.0 - - - - -

Decapod shrimp - - - - - - - - 12.0

Cancer irroratus - 9.1 - 2.6 - - - - -

Pelia mutica - - - - - - - 6.0 -

Munida sp. - 22.9 - - - - - - -

Pilumnus sayi 100.0 - - - - - - - -

Crab unid. - - - 12.7 - - - - -

Decapoda unid. - - - - - - - 4.8 22.7

Crustacea unid. - (23.3) (100.0) (1.3) (100.0) (44.4) (7.4) (2.9) (2.4)

OSTEICHTHYES - [1.1] - [77.3] - - - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [11.8] - - - [55.6] [6.5] [38.7] [1.8]

 

Number sampled 1 24 1 7 1 8 22 10 21

Number empty 0 8 0 2 0 4 2 2 6

Mean stomach content (g) 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.6 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 20 25 13 30 16 8 6 153 NA

Fish length range (cm) - 7-34 - 21-39 - 5-11 4-8 NA NA

 
Page 26

Table A-9. Diet composition and sampling data for alligatorfish, lumpfish, Atlantic seasnail, striped bass, sand perch, red grouper, scamp, and

bigeye. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl survey, and 3 = 1969-72 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by weight.

Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Alligator- Alligator- Atlantic Striped Sand Red

Stomach Contents fish1 fish3 Lumpfish1 seasnail3 bass1 perch1 grouper3 Scamp1 Bigeye1

 

MOLLUSCA - - - - - - [100.0] [<0.1] -

Gastropoda - - - - - - - (<0.1) -

Cephalopoda - - - - - - (100.0) - -

Octopodida - - - - - - 100.0 - -

POLYCHAETA - - [10.9] - - - - - [21.2]

Nereidae - - 10.9 - - - - - -

Polychaeta unid. - - - - - - - - 21.2

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [100.0] [0.8] [100.0] - - - [3.0] [15.4]

Copepoda - - (0.4) - - - - (<0.1) -

Amphipoda (100.0) (86.3) - (100.0) - - - - -

Stenopleustes gracilis 18.2 - - - - - - - -

Dyopedos porrectus 81.8 - - - - - - - -

Aoridae - 36.0 - - - - - - -

Caprellidae - 49.3 - - - - - - -

Gammaridea - - - 100.0 - - - - -

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 1.0 - - - - - - -

Decapoda - (3.4) (0.4) - - - - (3.0) -

Portunus spinicarpus - - - - - - - 2.5 -

Decapoda larvae - - 0.4 - - - - - -

Decapoda unid. - 3.4 - - - - - 0.5 -

Crustacea unid. - (10.3) - - - - - - 15.4

ASCIDIACEA - - [29.4] - - - - - -

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - [100.0] [100.0] - [97.0] -

Brevoortia tryannus - - - - 68.8 - - - -

Urophycis chuss - - - - 30.1 - - - -

Macrozoarces americanus - - - - 1.1 - - - -

Cyprinodon variegatus - - - - - - - 95.7 -

Osteichthyes larvae - - - - - 2.5 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. - - - - - 97.5 - 1.3 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - - [58.9] - - - - - [63.4]

 

Number sampled 1 23 2 2 2 3 1 3 2

Number empty 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Mean stomach content (g) <0.1 <0.1 27.9 <0.1 542.3 0.4 <0.1 14.2 <0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 9 NA 35 NA 107 20 NA 71 18

Fish length range (cm) - NA 31-40 NA 102-112 18-24 NA 54-99 18

 
Page 27

Table A-10. Diet composition and sampling data for tilefish, cobia, Atlantic bumper, round scad, bigeye scad, greater amberjack, banded

rudderfish, rough scad, and vermilion snapper. (Data source: 1977-80 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by weight. Squared

brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Atlantic Round Bigeye Greater Banded Rough Vermilion

Stomach Contents Tilefish Cobia bumper scad scad amberjack rudderfish scad snapper 

 

MOLLUSCA [0.2] [12.9] [<0.1] [17.1] - - - - [81.7]

Gastropoda (0.1) - (<0.1) (17.1) - - - - -

Bivalvia (0.1) - (<0.1) - - - - - -

Pectinidae 0.1 - - - - - - - -

Bivalvia unid. - - <0.1 - - - - - -

Cephalopoda - (12.9) - - - - - - -

Illex sp. - 12.9 - - - - - - -

Cephalopoda unid. - - - - - - - - 81.7

POLYCHAETA [0.2] - - - - - - - -

CRUSTACEA [21.9] [54.3] - - [14.7] - [3.0] [38.0] [0.1]

Copepoda - - - - - - - (25.7) (<0.1)

Isopoda (1.2) - - - - - - - -

Cirolana polita 1.0 - - - - - - - -

Isopoda unid. 0.2 - - - - - - - -

Amphipoda (0.2) - - - - - - - (0.1)

Euphausiacea (0.5) - - - - - - - -

Decapoda (4.4) (54.3) - - (10.6) - (3.0) - (<0.1)

Euprognatha rastellifera 1.6 - - - - - - - -

Ovalipes ocellatus - 28.4 - - - - - - -

Bathynectes sp. - 13.8 - - - - - - -

Munida irrasa 1.3 - - - - - - - -

Shrimp unid. - - - - - - 3.0 - -

Crabs unid. - - - - 10.6 - - - -

Decapoda unid. 1.5 12.1 - - - - - <0.1 <0.1

Crustacea unid. (15.6) - - - (4.1) - - (12.3) -

ECHINODERMATA [74.8] - - - - - - - -

Ophiuroidea (74.8) - - - - - - - -

Amphioplus sp. 10.4 - - - - - - - -

Amphiuridae 64.4 - - - - - - - -

ASCIDIACEA - - - - - - - - [16.4]

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] [29.5] - - [13.6] [100.0] [97.0] - [0.5]

Myoxo. octodecemspinosus - - - - - 32.4 - - -

Scophthalmus aquosus - 28.4 - - - - - - -

Pleuronectiformes - 1.1 - - - - - - -

Osteichthyes scales - - - - 1.8 - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. <0.1 - - - 11.8 67.6 97.0 - 0.5

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.9] [3.3] [100.0] [82.9] [71.7] - - [62.0] [1.3]

 

Number sampled 9 3 5 5 10 3 2 11 10

Number empty 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1

Mean stomach content (g) 0.8 24.0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 133.7 3.8 <0.1 0.8

Mean fish length (cm) 39 94 10 14 13 96 18 13 17

Fish length range (cm) 25-45 84-100 9-16 14-16 13-15 92-100 18 12-15 12-24

 
Page 28

Table A-11. Diet composition and sampling data for tomtate, white grunt, pigfish, whitebone porgy, spottail pinfish, pinfish, silver perch,

banded drum, and Atlantic spadefish. Data source: 1977-80 trawl survey. Data type: percentage by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

White Whitebone Spottail Silver Banded Atlantic 

Stomach Contents Tomtate grunt Pigfish porgy pinfish Pinfish perch drum spadefish

 

CNIDARIA - - - - [50.6] [16.3] - - -

Hydrozoa - - - - 19.7 - - - -

Anthozoa - - - - 30.9 16.3 - - -

MOLLUSCA - [40.8] - - [14.9] [81.3] - - -

Bivalvia - 17.9 - - 14.9 - - - -

Mollusca unid. - 22.9 - - - 81.3 - - -

POLYCHAETA [5.6] [18.9] [61.2] - - - - - -

Glyceridae - - 3.1 - - - - - -

Diopatra cuprea - - 17.6 - - - - - -

Lumbrineris sp. 1.2 - - - - - - - -

Arabellidae - 2.2 - - - - -- -

Terebellidae - 7.1 - - - - -- -

Polychaeta unid. 4.4 9.6 40.5 - - - - - -

SIPUNCULA - - [9.8] - - - - - -

CRUSTACEA [6.6] [17.5] [6.5] - [9.8] - [100.0] [100.0] -

Stomatopoda - (4.0) - - - - -- -

Amphipoda (3.7) (0.3) (0.2) - (5.2) - - (1.4) -

Aeginina longicornis - - - - 5.1 - - - -

Gammaridea - - - - - - - 1.4 -

Amphipoda unid. 3.7 0.3 0.2 - 0.1 - - - -

Mysidacea - - - - - - (100.0) (64.4) -

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - - - - - 100.0 64.4 -

Decapoda (1.0) (13.2) (5.8) - (4.6) - - (19.9) -

Acetes americanus - - 0.3 - 2.1 - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa 1.0 - - - - - - - -

Shrimps unid. - 0.3 5.1 - - - - - -

Crabs unid. - 6.6 0.1 - - - - 19.9 -

Decapoda unid. - 6.3 0.3 - 2.5 - - - -

Crustacea unid. (1.9) (<0.1) (0.5) - - - - (14.3) -

ECHINODERMATA - [1.7] - - [1.0] [0.7] - - -

Echinoidea - 0.8 - - - - - - -

Ophiuroidea - 0.5 - - 1.0 0.7 - - -

Echinodermata unid. - 0.4 - - - - -- -

OSTEICHTHYES [0.4] [13.1] - [100.0] [0.2] [1.7] - - -

Anchoa sp. - - - 90.6 - - - - -

Engraulidae - - - - - 1.7 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 0.4 13.1 - 9.4 0.2 - - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [87.4] [8.0] [22.5] - [23.5] - - - [100.0]

 

Number sampled 23 14 11 11 6 11 5 11 1

Number empty 9 3 1 9 1 6 4 3 0

Mean stomach content (g) 0.1 1.5 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 15 29 18 27 17 16 19 15 12

Fish length range (cm) 11-19 24-39 16-24 20-32 12-20 15-18 18-20 14-20 -

 
Page 29

Table A-12. Diet composition and sampling data for hogfish, tautog, Atlantic soft pout, radiated shanny, wrymouth, southern stargazer,

Atlantic cutlassfish, little tunny, and Atlantic bonito. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl survey, and 4 = 1963-66

trawl survey. Superscripts indicate data type: # = percentage by occurrence, and none = percentage by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Atlantic Radiated Southern Atlantic Little Atlantic

Stomach Contents Hogfish1 Tautog4

# soft pout1 shanny1 Wrymouth1 stargazer1 cutlassfish1 tunny1 bonito1

 

MOLLUSCA [29.7] - - - - - - - [19.3]

Cephalopoda - - - - - - - - (19.3)

Loligo sp. - - - - - - - - 19.3

Mollusca unid. (shell) (29.7) - - - - - - - -

POLYCHAETA - - - [2.3] - - - - -

CRUSTACEA [30.6] 66.7 [100.0] [5.4] [100.0] - [30.0] [0.6] -

Copepoda - - (100.0) - - - - --

Amphipoda - - - (5.4) - - - (0.6) -

Leptocheirus plumulosus - - - 0.8 - - - - -

Metopella angusta - - - 2.3 - - - - -

Bathymedon saussurei - - - 1.5 - - - - -

Gammarus lawrencianus - - - - - - - 0.6 -

Gammaridea - - - 0.8 - - - - -

Mysidacea - - - - - - (0.1) - -

Decapoda (0.9) 66.7 - - (100.0) - (21.9) - -

Acetes americanus - - - - - - 20.4 - -

Pandalidae - - - - 100.0 - - - -

Stenocionops furcata 0.9 - - - - - - - -

Callianassa setimanus - - - - - - 1.5 - -

Decapoda unid. - 66.7 - - - - - --

Crustacea unid. (29.7) - - - - - (8.0) - -

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - - [100.0] [69.2] [99.3] [80.7]

Etrumeus teres - - - - - - - 66.3 -

Osteichthyes unid. - - - - - 100.0 69.2 33.0 80.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [39.7] - - [92.3] - - [0.8] [0.1] -

 

Number sampled 1 3 3 6 1 1 11 1 3

Number empty 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

Mean stomach content (g) 5.7 NA <0.1 <0.1 0.6 2.1 0.1 31.7 8.5

Mean fish length (cm) 55 31 11 12 23 22 48 65 52

Fish length range (cm) - 24-40 11 11-15 - - 44-53 - 50-54

 
Page 30

Table A-13. Diet composition and sampling data for chub mackerel, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, swordfish, harvestfish, dusky

flounder, and planehead filefish. (Subscripts indicate data source: 1 = 1977-80 trawl survey, and 2 = Apex Predators

Investigation studies. Superscripts indicate data type: * = percentage by volume, and none = percentage by weight. Squared

brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Predator 

Chub King Spanish Harvest- Dusky Planehead

Stomach Contents mackerel1 mackerel1 mackerel1 Swordfish2

* fish1 flounder1 filefish1

 

MOLLUSCA - [0.1] [16.5] [67.4] - - [5.8]

Bivalvia - - - - - - (<0.1)

Cephalopoda - (0.1) (16.5) (67.4) - - (5.8)

Illex illecebrosus - - - 25.5 - - -

Loligo sp. - - - 0.1 - - -

Cephalopoda unid. - 0.1 16.5 41.8 - - 5.8

POLYCHAETA - - - - - - [66.7]

CRUSTACEA [12.6] - [0.4] - - [91.3] -

Copepoda (12.6) ------

Decapoda - - (0.4) - - (25.5) -

Pandalidae - - 0.4 - - - -

Crab unid. - - - - - 25.5 -

Crustacea unid. - - (<0.1) - - (65.8) -

ECHINODERMATA - - - - - - [1.7]

Ophiuroidea - - - - - - 1.7

LARVACEA [3.7] - - - - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [0.8] [99.9] [82.5] [32.5] - [8.7] -

Brevoortia tryannus - - - 0.5 - - -

Clupea harengus - - - 0.2 - - -

Etrumeus teres - 33.8 60.3 - - - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - 6.3 - - - -

Paralepis atlantica - - - 0.3 - - -

Alepisauridae - - - 0.5 - - -

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 9.4 - - -

Gadidae - - - 2.6 - - -

Pomatomus saltatrix - - - 4.0 - - -

Ammodytes dubius - - - 0.2 - - -

Gempylidae - - - 0.2 - - -

Scomber scombrus - - - 5.4+ - - -

Scombridae - 50.3 - - - - -

Cubiceps athenae - - - 0.6 - - -

Peprilus triacanthus - - - 1.5 - - -

Sebastes fasciatus - - - 2.4 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 0.8 15.8 15.9 4.7 - 8.7 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [82.9] - [0.6] [0.1] [100.0] - [25.8]

 

Number sampled 25 5 12 168 2 1 8

Number empty 1 1 0 17 0 0 4

Mean stomach content (g or m3

) 0.1 12.2 3.0 702.3 0.2 0.2 <0.1

Mean fish length (cm) 18 65 37 153 12 23 8

Fish length range (cm) 14-21 56-75 30-62 78-283 10-14 - 5-19

 

+ Atlantic mackerel was used as bait.
Page 32

APPENDIX B

Overall Prey of 60 Predators Which Were Fully Sampled 

and Well Represented in Collections 

during the NEFSC’s 1977-80 Bottom Trawl Surveys

Stomach content data for 60 predator species sampled

during the 1977-80 NEFSC bottom trawl surveys are

presented in Tables B-1 though B-60. These tables

represent predator species for which 25 or more individuals

each were sampled.

For 44 of these 60 species, stomach content data are

given according both to predator length categories and to

geographic areas of collection. Those 44 species were

selected based on the greatest number of individuals (at

least 25) and areas (at least two) represented by the

samples. For the remaining 16 of these 60 species,

stomach content data are given according only to predator

length categories.

The tables for the 44 predators listed by both predator

length and geographic area have two subtable numbers

 (e.g., Tables B-1a and B-1b, respectively). The tables for

the 16 predators listed by only predator length have one

main table number (e.g., Table B-3). 

Stomach content data have been summarized, when

necessary, to fit on one page to aid in making comparisons

among predator species. Whenever the list of prey species

had to be so summarized, fish prey, in almost every

instance, were left intact at the expense of those other prey

which had contributed the least percentage by weight to the

predator’s diet, and which were then condensed into higher

taxonomic groups. In instances when the list of fish prey

had to be summarized, only species which made up <1% of

the total stomach contents by weight and which were not

commercially important were then lumped into higher

taxonomic groups.
Page 33
Page 34

Table B-1a. Diet composition and sampling data for northern shortfin squid by squid length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 >35 Total

 

PLATYHELMINTHES [0.2] [<0.1] [0.1] [0.7] [0.5] [0.4] [<0.1] [8.9] [0.5]

Cestoda 0.2 <0.1 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.2 <0.1 - 0.3

Trematoda - - - 0.3 0.2 0.2 - 8.9 0.2

RHYNCHOCOELA - - - [<0.1] - [<0.1] - [0.5] [<0.1]

NEMATODA - [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - [0.2] [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [0.1] [1.8] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - - [0.1]

Sagitta elegans - - - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Chaetognatha unid. - 0.1 1.8 - <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

CEPHALOPODA - [2.0] [16.2] [8.4] [20.8] [61.6] [96.0] [83.9] [34.6]

Loligo sp. - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Cephalopoda unid. - 2.0 16.2 8.4 20.8 61.6 96.0 83.9 34.6

POLYCHAETA - - [0.7] - [<0.1] [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [0.5] [14.6] [7.3] [36.4] [19.4] [7.8] - - [16.6]

Copepoda - - - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Cumacea - - - - (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - - - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Hyperiidae - - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Ampeliscidae - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Unciola irrorata - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Unciola sp. - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Caprellidae - - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Mysidacea - - - - (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - - - (12.5) (3.1) (1.4) - - (3.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - <0.1 0.3 0.1 - - 0.2

Euphausiacea unid. - - - 12.5 2.8 1.3 - - 3.1

Decapoda - - (0.5) (1.5) (0.3) (<0.1) - - (0.4)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - 0.2 - - - 0.1

Pandalidae - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Crab unid. - - <0.1 0.2 0.1 - - - 0.1

Shrimp unid. - - - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Decapoda larvae - - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 0.5 1.3 <0.1 - - - 0.2

Crustacea unid. (0.5) (14.6) (6.8) (22.4) (16.0) (6.4) - - (12.9)

SALPIDAE - - - - [<0.1] [0.1] - - [<0.1]

CHONDRICHTHYES - - - - [0.2] - - - [0.1]

Rajidae - - - - 0.2 - - - 0.1

OSTEICHTHYES [96.1] [6.0] [20.7] [9.9] [27.5] [8.5] - [6.5] [18.9]

Gadidae - - - - <0.1 0.5 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes eggs - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 96.1 6.0 20.7 9.9 27.5 8.0 - 6.5 18.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [3.2] [77.3] [53.2] [44.6] [31.6] [21.6] [4.0] - [29.2]

 

Number sampled 11 145 357 599 1064 257 10 4 2447

Number empty 0 48 116 164 226 69 4 1 628

Mean stomach content (g) 0.173 0.068 0.246 0.525 1.638 3.912 11.523 0.516 1.340

Mean squid length (cm) 4 8 13 18 22 27 31 39 19

 
Page 35

Table B-1b. Diet composition and sampling data for northern shortfin squid by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

PLATYHELMINTHES [1.0] [0.4] [0.6] [0.3] [0.3] [<0.1]

Cestoda 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Trematoda <0.1 <0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 -

RHYNCHOCOELA - [<0.1] - - [<0.1] -

NEMATODA [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.3] - - -

Sagitta elegans - - <0.1 - - -

Chaetognatha unid. <0.1 <0.1 0.3 - - -

CEPHALOPODA [36.1] [30.3] [40.8] [22.7] [70.0] [3.2]

Loligo sp. - - - - <0.1 -

Cephalopoda unid. 36.1 30.3 40.8 22.7 70.0 3.2

POLYCHAETA - - - - [<0.1] [0.1]

CRUSTACEA [9.7] [19.8] [22.0] [26.4] [4.8] [3.9]

Copepoda - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Cumacea (<0.1) -----

Amphipoda (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1) -

Hyperiidae <0.1 - - - <0.1 -

Ampeliscidae - <0.1 - - - -

Unciola irrorata <0.1 - - - - -

Unciola sp. - - <0.1 - - -

Caprellidae - <0.1 <0.1 - - -

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - -

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) - (<0.1) -

Euphausiacea - (12.9) (1.8) (4.6) (0.2) (0.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - <0.1 <0.1 0.8 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - 12.9 1.8 3.8 0.2 0.3

Decapoda (1.2) (1.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.6 <0.1 - - -

Pandalidae - <0.1 - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 <0.1 - - -

Crab unid. - 0.6 <0.1 - - <0.1

Shrimp unid. - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 -

Decapoda larvae <0.1 - <0.1 - - -

Decapoda unid. 1.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - -

Crustacea unid. (8.5) (5.7) (20.2) (21.8) (4.6) (3.6)

SALPIDAE - - [0.2] - - -

CHONDRICHTHYES - - [0.4] - - -

Rajidae - - 0.4 - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [23.0] [12.3] [5.2] [13.1] [7.1] [73.3]

Gadidae 1.5 - - - - -

Osteichthyes eggs - - <0.1 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 21.5 12.3 5.2 13.1 7.1 73.3

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [30.2] [37.2] [30.5] [37.5] [17.8] [19.5]

 

Number sampled 423 518 792 318 202 195

Number empty 116 134 201 73 67 37

Mean stomach content (g) 0.783 0.820 1.056 2.341 2.564 2.180

Mean squid length (cm) 19 18 19 22 23 19

 
Page 36

Table B-2a. Diet composition and sampling data for longfin inshore squid by squid length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

CESTODA - [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.1] - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [0.6] [0.1] [0.1] [<0.1] - - - [0.1]

Sagitta elegans - <0.1 <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Chaetognatha unid. 0.6 0.1 0.1 <0.1 - - - 0.1

MOLLUSCA - [2.8] [5.1] [8.4] [2.3] [10.9] [9.5] [5.6]

Gastropoda - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Bivalvia - - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Cephalopoda - 2.8 5.1 8.4 2.3 10.9 9.5 5.6

POLYCHAETA - [0.3] [<0.1] - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

Opheliidae - - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Nereis zonata - - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. - 0.3 <0.1 - - - - <0.1

CRUSTACEA [1.8] [4.2] [7.0] [3.8] [5.8] [0.7] - [4.7]

Copepoda - (0.6) (<0.1) - (<0.1) - - (0.1)

Candacia sp. - 0.6 - - - - - 0.1

Calanoida - - <0.1 - <0.1 - - <0.1

Copepoda unid. - <0.1 <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda (0.2) (0.4) (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.2)

Hyperiidae - 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Ampeliscidae - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Gammaridea 0.2 0.2 0.3 - - - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Mysidacea - (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - (0.8) (3.5) (2.1) (3.7) - - (2.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 0.5 <0.1 - - - 0.2

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.8 3.0 2.1 3.7 - - 1.9

Decapoda - (<0.1) (0.4) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.7) - (0.2)

Crangon septemspinosa - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Munida iris - - <0.1 - - 0.7 - 0.1

Lithodidae - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Crab unid. - - - <0.1 - <0.1 - <0.1

Shrimp unid. - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - <0.1 0.4 <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Crustacea unid. (1.6) (2.4) (2.8) (1.7) (2.1) (<0.1) - (2.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [3.1] [5.6] [11.4] [12.3] [23.7] [17.0] [3.4] [13.7]

Gadidae - - <0.1 0.2 - <0.1 - 0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 1.0 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 3.1 5.5 11.4 12.1 22.7 17.0 3.4 13.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [94.5] [87.0] [76.4] [75.5] [68.2] [71.3] [87.1] [75.9]

 

Number sampled 165 810 822 444 189 59 9 2498

Number empty 78 178 214 132 49 15 3 669

Mean stomach content (g) 0.028 0.231 0.449 0.976 1.503 1.055 1.568 0.542

Mean squid length (cm) 4 8 12 17 22 27 32 12

 
Page 37

Table B-2b. Diet composition and sampling data for longfin squid by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

Southern South South North

 Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

CESTODA [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [2.3] - - - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [0.2] [0.1] [<0.1] - - - - [<0.1]

Sagitta elegans - <0.1 - - - - - -

Chaetognatha unid. 0.2 0.1 <0.1 - - - - <0.1

MOLLUSCA [10.1] [8.0] [0.3] - - [8.0] [0.5] [8.0]

Gastropoda - <0.1 ------

Bivalvia - <0.1 - - - - - -

Cephalopoda 10.1 8.0 0.3 - - 8.0 0.5 8.0

POLYCHAETA [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - - - - [0.4]

Opheliidae <0.1 -------

Nereis zonata <0.1 - - - - - - -

Polychaeta unid. - <0.1 <0.1 - - - - 0.4

CRUSTACEA [3.6] [7.5] [3.1] [70.1] - [1.8] [0.9] [4.9]

Copepoda (0.4) (<0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Candacia sp. 0.4 - - - - - - -

Calanoida - - - - - - - <0.1

Copepoda unid. <0.1 <0.1 ------

Amphipoda (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1) - (0.8)

Hyperiidae 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 - - - - -

Ampeliscidae <0.1 - - - - - - -

Gammaridea - - <0.1 - - <0.1 - 0.8

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 ------

Mysidacea (<0.1) (<0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea (0.5) (6.6) (1.0) -----

Meganyctiphanes norvegica <0.1 - 0.4 - - - - -

Euphausiacea unid. 0.5 6.6 0.6 -----

Decapoda (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) - - - - (1.3)

Crangon septemspinosa <0.1 - - - - - - 0.3

Munida iris 0.2 - - - - - - -

Lithodidae <0.1 -------

Crab unid. <0.1 - - - - - - <0.1

Shrimp unid. - - <0.1 - - - - -

Decapoda unid. <0.1 <0.1 - - - - - 1.0

Crustacea unid. (2.3) (0.9) (2.1) (70.1) - (1.8) (0.9) (2.8)

OSTEICHTHYES [17.0] [15.3] [7.6] - - [26.6] [7.0] [21.4]

Gadidae 0.4 - - - - - - -

Ammodytes dubius 0.9 - - - - - - -

Osteichthyes larvae <0.1 - - - - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 15.7 15.3 7.6 - - 26.6 7.0 21.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [69.1] [69.1] [89.0] [27.6] [100.0] [63.6] [91.6] [65.3]

 

Number sampled 773 503 468 6 1 99 95 555

Number empty 213 122 126 0 0 28 28 154

Mean stomach content (g) 0.428 0.630 1.046 0.658 3.576 0.340 0.291 0.269

Mean squid length (cm) 13 12 13 24 20 12 14 11

 
Page 38

Table B-3. Diet composition and sampling data for chain dogfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

NEMATODA - - - - - [1.0] - [0.1]

CEPHALOPODA - [4.9] [15.9] [57.3] [0.2] [13.8] [30.3] [20.7]

POLYCHAETA [100.0] [38.0] [14.5] [1.7] [0.2] - [2.4] [6.3]

Eunice sp. - 15.5 9.7 1.3 - - - 2.3

Eunicidae - 0.3 3.0 - - - - 0.2

Glyceridae - - 0.3 - - - - <0.1

Nereis sp. - - 0.2 0.4 - - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 100.0 22.2 1.3 - 0.2 - 2.4 3.8

CRUSTACEA - [54.1] [60.7] [41.0] [20.3] [3.4] [13.3] [22.4]

Stomatapoda - - - - (12.7) - - (2.6)

Heterosquilla armata - - - - 12.7 - - 2.6

Amphipoda - (<0.1) (0.8) - - - - (<0.1)

Ampelisca sp. - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Byblis serrata - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Unciola sp. - - 0.8 - - - - <0.1

Mysidacea - - - - - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (14.2) (22.1) (11.5) - (2.0) - (3.7)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 5.2 12.1 11.5 - 2.0 - 2.2

Euphausiacea unid. - 9.0 10.0 - - - - 1.5

Decapoda - (28.9) (17.8) (3.9) - - (12.5) (10.0)

Cancer irroratus - 19.8 - - - - 9.6 6.6

Munida irrasa - 0.4 17.8 0.5 - - - 0.8

Sergestidae - - - - - - 2.9 1.3

Shrimp unid. - 0.6 - - - - - 0.1

Decapoda unid. - 8.1 - 3.4 - - - 1.2

Crustacea unid. - (11.0) (20.0) (25.6) (7.6) (1.4) (0.8) (6.1)

OSTEICHTHYES - - [3.0] - [79.2] [78.2] [54.0] [49.5]

Osteichthyes unid. - - 3.0 - 79.2 78.2 54.0 49.5

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.0] [5.9] - [0.1] [3.6] - [1.0]

 

Number sampled 1 11 6 2 7 3 5 35

Number empty 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2

Mean stomach content (g) 0.005 0.290 0.192 0.995 0.793 1.058 2.468 0.783

Mean fish length (cm) 15 18 22 28 32 37 42 27

 
Page 39

Table B-4a. Diet composition and sampling data for dusky shark by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <61 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 >110 Total

 

NEMATODA - - - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA - [49.3] - [25.0] [25.1] [7.2] [1.1] [14.4]

Cephalopoda - (49.3) - (25.0) (25.1) (7.2) (1.1) (14.4)

Loligo pealeii - - - - 24.7 - - 6.8

Loligo sp. - 11.0 - 8.3 - 7.2 - 4.0

Cephalopoda unid. - 38.3 - 16.7 0.4 <0.1 1.1 3.6

Mollusca unid. - - - - - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

CRUSTACEA - [0.1] [0.2] [2.3] [22.2] [29.7] - [17.6]

Copepoda - (0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Stomatopoda - - - - - (0.3) - (5.5)

Squilla empusa - - - - 8.3 8.0 - 5.4

Stomatopoda unid. - - - - - 0.3 - 0.1

Amphipoda - - - (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Hyperiidae - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (<0.1) (0.2) - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 0.2 - <0.1 - - <0.1

Euphausiacea unid. - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda - - - (2.3) (12.1) (21.2) - (11.5)

Cancer irroratus - - - - 4.0 <0.1 - 1.1

Pinnixa cylindrica - - - - 0.2 - - <0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - 6.5 21.2 - 9.9

Crabs unid. - - - 2.3 1.0 - - 0.4

Decapoda unid. - - - - 0.4 - - 0.1

Crustacea unid. - - - - (1.8) (0.2) - (0.6)

ECHINODERMATA - - - - - [0.8] - [0.3]

Echinarachnius parma - - - - - 0.8 - 0.3

OSTEICHTHYES [100.0] [50.5] [99.7] [72.7] [50.8] [61.9] [40.8] [58.1]

Clupeidae - - - - 1.5 - - 0.4

Anchoa hepsetus - - - 2.3 - - - 0.2

Batrachoididae - - - 22.7 - - - 1.6

Urophycis regia - 7.0 - - - - - 0.4

Centropristis striata - - - 7.2 - - - 0.5

Stenotomus chrysops - 14.9 - - 12.8 - - 4.4

Sciaenidae - - - - - 29.1 - 11.2

Cynoscion regalis - - - - - 9.8 - 3.8

Leiostomus xanthurus - - - 11.2 7.0 19.5 - 10.2

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 0.6 - 0.2

Scombridae - - - - 22.3 - - 6.2

Pleuronectiformes - - - - - - 18.1 2.9

Osteichthyes unid. 100.0 28.6 99.7 29.3 7.2 2.9 22.7 16.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [0.1] [0.1] [<0.1] [1.6] [0.4] [58.1] [9.5]

SAND - - - - [0.3] [<0.1] - [0.1]

 

Number sampled 2 6 2 13 18 7 5 53

Number empty 1 1 0 4 2 1 1 10

Mean stomach content (g) 0.060 15.210 46.768 8.477 24.705 88.173 50.676 30.385

Mean fish length (cm) 51 67 75 84 94 103 160 94

 
Page 40

Table B-4b. Diet composition and sampling data for dusky shark by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

 South South North

 Middle of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

NEMATODA - - - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA [0.1] [60.5] [7.2] [12.2]

Cephalopoda - (60.5) (7.2) (12.2)

Loligo pealeii - - - 12.0

Loligo sp. - 39.9 - -

Cephalopoda unid. - 20.6 7.2 0.2

Mollusca unid. (0.1) - - -

CRUSTACEA [79.0] [1.2] [33.5] [1.3]

Copepoda - - (<0.1) -

Stomatopoda - - (24.8) (0.8)

Squilla empusa - - 24.2 0.8

Stomatopoda unid. - - 0.6 -

Amphipoda - - - (<0.1)

Hyperiidae - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (0.1) (<0.1) -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 0.1 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - - <0.1 -

Decapoda (79.0) (0.9) (6.7) (0.2)

Cancer irroratus <0.1 - 5.5 -

Pinnixa cylindrica - - 0.2 -

Ovalipes ocellatus 78.0 - - -

Crabs unid. - 0.9 1.0 0.2

Decapoda unid. 1.0 - - -

Crustacea unid. - (0.2) (2.0) (0.3)

ECHINODERMATA [2.4] - - -

Echinarachnius parma 2.4 - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [17.9] [33.5] [15.7] [86.2]

Clupeidae 3.3 - - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - 0.8 -

Batrachoididae - 15.7 - -

Urophycis regia - 4.0 - -

Centropristis striata - - - 0.9

Stenotomus chrysops - 8.5 - 6.2

Sciaenidae - - - 19.6

Cynoscion regalis - - - 6.6

Leiostomus xanthurus 6.3 - - 16.4

Ammodytes dubius 1.8 - - -

Scombridae - - - 10.8

Pleuronectiformes - - - 5.0

Osteichthyes unid. 6.5 5.3 14.9 20.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [<0.1] [4.8] [43.6] [0.3]

SAND [0.6] - - [<0.1]

 

Number sampled 8 19 13 13

Number empty 2 6 1 1

Mean stomach content (g) 25.608 8.393 25.243 70.608

Mean fish length (cm) 99 92 89 97

 
Page 41

Table B-5a. Diet composition and sampling data for smooth dogfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor

taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <41 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 >110 Total

 

MOLLUSCA [62.1] [5.8] [5.8] [14.6] [3.3] [9.7] [17.2] [9.3] [16.1] [13.2]

Bivalvia (0.2) (4.1) (5.0) (0.4) (0.8) (0.8) (1.5) (5.3) (15.6) (4.4)

Cephalopoda - (1.7) (0.3) (13.2) (2.5) (8.7) (15.3) (2.8) (0.5) (8.2)

Loligo pealeii - - - - 0.1 5.6 6.7 0.7 - 3.5

Loligo sp. - - - - 0.3 2.1 6.5 0.7 <0.1 3.0

Cephalopoda unid. - 1.7 0.3 13.2 2.1 1.0 2.1 1.4 0.5 1.7

Mollusca unid. (61.9) - (0.5) (1.0) (<0.1) (0.2) (0.4) (1.2) (<0.1) (0.6)

POLYCHAETA [8.7] [3.8] [7.9] [3.0] [1.6] [1.4] [0.7] [0.1] [0.3] [0.8]

SIPUNCULA - - - [3.0] - - [0.2] [0.1] - [0.2]

MEROSTOMATA - - - [<0.1] - - [0.2] [4.6] [2.9] [1.6]

Limulus sp. - - - <0.1 - - 0.2 4.6 2.9 1.6

CRUSTACEA [24.2] [81.9] [53.3] [64.6] [83.1] [78.8] [73.1] [74.2] [74.6] [74.7]

Stomatopoda - (0.5) (1.0) - - (1.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.2)

Decapoda (15.8) (67.4) (34.2) (58.6) (75.8) (75.4) (71.4) (72.8) (69.8) (72.1)

Pagurus pollicaris - 9.1 5.6 0.6 1.0 - 0.4 <0.1 0.3 0.4

Pagurus sp. 15.6 10.4 2.9 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.7

Paguridae - 11.8 1.4 - 0.5 - 0.2 <0.1 - 0.3

Libinia sp. - - - <0.1 - 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.1 0.8

Majidae - 2.9 0.1 - 1.5 0.2 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1

Cancer irroratus - 17.5 12.6 13.9 37.9 43.8 39.7 45.7 31.2 40.0

Cancer borealis - 4.1 - - - - 4.2 0.3 1.1 1.9

Cancridae - - 0.5 0.7 1.4 <0.1 2.4 1.7 0.9 1.7

Ovalipes ocellatus - 3.4 4.4 17.9 20.4 11.0 8.9 13.9 24.5 13.1

Ovalipes stephensoni - - - 1.5 5.2 8.1 3.7 1.7 0.2 3.1

Albunea sp. - - 3.3 10.0 0.4 3.5 1.3 0.2 <0.1 1.2

Decapoda unid. 0.2 8.2 3.4 13.0 7.0 8.1 8.8 8.3 9.4 8.9

Crustacea unid. (8.4) (14.0) (18.1) (6.0) (7.3) (2.3) (1.4) (1.4) (4.8) (2.4)

HOLOTHUROIDEA - - [4.6] - - - [0.7] [<0.1] - [0.3]

OSTEICHTHYES - [3.5] [27.0] [12.2] [5.4] [7.2] [5.7] [10.1] [4.0] [7.4]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - 0.2 - - - - - <0.1

Etrumeus teres - - - - - - <0.1 3.1 <0.1 1.0

Clupeidae - - - - - - - 0.3 - 0.1

Anchoa sp. - - - 0.7 <0.1 - 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.4

Urophycis regia - - - 0.4 - - - - - <0.1

Gadidae - - - - 0.1 - 0.2 - - 0.1

Trachurus lathami - - - - - 0.2 - - - <0.1

Stenotomus chrysops - 1.2 15.5 8.2 - - 0.5 - - 0.4

Leiostomus xanthurus - - - - - 1.1 - - - 0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - - <0.1 0.5 1.4 <0.1 0.6

Prionotus sp. - - - 0.9 <0.1 2.0 - - - 0.3

Osteichthyes unid. - 2.3 11.5 1.8 5.3 3.7 4.1 4.4 3.7 4.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [5.0] [5.0] [1.4] [2.6] [6.6] [2.9] [2.2] [1.6] [2.1] [1.8]

 

Number sampled 7 52 41 35 56 111 237 102 47 688

Number empty 2 0 2 0 1 6 5 4 1 21

Mean stomach content (g) 1.827 4.252 3.845 10.120 15.664 24.148 37.699 66.009 62.196 32.228

Mean fish length (cm) 32 46 55 65 76 86 95 104 115 86

 
Page 42

Table B-5b. Diet composition and sampling data for smooth dogfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-

80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

Southern South North

 Middle New of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Hatteras Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [7.4] [0.7] [<0.1] [16.0]

Bivalvia (2.9) (<0.1) (<0.1) (5.2)

Cephalopoda (3.7) (0.7) (<0.1) (10.1)

Loligo sp. 2.1 0.2 - 8.3

Cephalopoda unid. 1.6 0.5 <0.1 1.8

Mollusca unid. (0.8) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.7)

POLYCHAETA [0.3] [0.8] [0.6] [0.6]

SIPUNCULA - - [3.3] [<0.1]

MEROSTOMATA [3.4] - [0.2] [1.4]

Limulus sp. 3.4 - 0.2 1.4

CRUSTACEA [76.5] [89.6] [69.8] [72.5]

Stomatopoda (<0.1) (<0.1) (4.6) (<0.1)

Decapoda (74.2) (89.2) (59.9) (70.0)

Pagurus pollicaris 0.2 - 0.1 0.5

Pagurus sp. - 1.4 0.4 0.8

Paguridae - - - 0.3

Libinia sp. 1.5 - - 0.7

Majidae - - 0.3 0.2

Cancer irroratus 54.3 68.8 3.2 35.8

Cancer borealis 0.9 4.7 1.3 1.9

Cancridae 0.5 - 0.6 2.1

Ovalipes ocellatus 5.3 - 10.5 16.1

Ovalipes stephensoni - 9.5 - 3.3

Albunea sp. 0.5 - 8.7 1.1

Decapoda unid. 11.0 4.8 34.8 7.2

Crustacea unid. (2.3) (0.4) (5.3) (2.5)

HOLOTHUROIDEA - - - [0.4]

OSTEICHTHYES [10.1] [7.8] [24.6] [5.8]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - <0.1

Etrumeus teres - - - 1.3

Clupeidae - - - 0.1

Anchoa sp. - - - 0.5

Urophycis regia - - - <0.1

Gadidae <0.1 - - <0.1

Trachurus lathami - - - <0.1

Stenotomus chrysops 2.8 - - -

Leiostomus xanthurus - - - 0.2

Ammodytes dubius 0.2 1.0 - 0.1

Peprilus triacanthus - - 4.6 0.7

Prionotus sp. 1.5 - 0.5 -

Osteichthyes unid. 5.6 6.8 19.5 2.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.3] [1.1] [1.5] [3.3]

 

Number sampled 121 41 55 471

Number empty 3 3 3 12

Mean stomach content (g) 29.839 38.394 12.151 36.180

Mean fish length (cm) 86 86 83 87

 
Page 43

Table B-6a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic sharpnose shark by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-

80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 Total

 

CESTODA - - - - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

RHYNCHOCOELA - [<0.1] - - - - - - [<0.1]

NEMATODA - [<0.1] - - - - - - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA [34.7] [41.7] [39.1] - [4.1] [1.9] [0.7] [51.1] [6.1]

Gastropoda - - - - - - - (51.1) (0.7)

Cephalopoda (34.7) (41.7) (39.1) - - (1.9) (0.6) - (5.2)

Illex sp. 0.4 - - - - - - - <0.1

Loligo sp. 34.3 - 8.2 - - 1.9 0.6 - 1.8

Cephalopoda unid. - 41.7 30.9 - - <0.1 <0.1 - 3.4

Mollusca unid. - - - - (4.1) - (0.1) - (0.2)

CRUSTACEA [18.0] [10.2] [12.6] - [24.6] [57.8] [7.5] - [9.7]

Cirripedia - (<0.1) - - - - - - (<0.1)

Stomatopoda - - - - - - (1.6) - (1.2)

Squilla empusa - - - - - - 1.6 - 1.2

Decapoda (15.7) (8.2) (12.6) - (24.6) (57.8) (5.9) - (8.3)

Libinia emarginata - - - - - - 0.8 - 0.6

Penaeidae - - - - - 17.9 - - 0.6

Pandalidae - 0.5 - - - - - - <0.1

Pagurus sp. - - - - - - 1.8 - 1.5

Paguridae - - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Sicyonia sp. - - - - - 4.2 - - 0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus 15.7 7.5 - - - 35.7 3.1 - 4.6

Portunus gibbesii - - - - 24.6 - 0.2 - 0.5

Crab unid. - - - - - - <0.1 - 0.1

Shrimp unid. - 0.2 - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 12.6 - - - - - 0.3

Crustacea unid. (2.3) (2.0) - - - - (<0.1) - (0.2)

OSTEICHTHYES [46.6] [48.1] [48.3] [100.0] [71.3] [35.9] [87.3] - [80.0]

Etrumeus teres - - - - - - 1.9 - 1.5

Clupeidae 9.6 - - - - - - - 0.3

Anchoa hepsetus - 16.0 - - - 27.8 0.4 - 2.3

Engraulidae - - - - - - 0.4 - 0.3

Syngnathidae - - - - - - 0.6 - 0.4

Sciaenidae - - - - - - 9.8 - 7.8

Astroscopus guttatus - - - - - - 13.5 - 10.7

Citharichthys arctifrons - - - - 63.5 - - - 1.0

Pleuronectiformes 15.3 - - - - - - - 0.5

Monacanthus hispidus - - - - - - 6.1 - 4.8

Sphoeroides maculatus - - - - - - 8.0 - 6.3

Osteichthyes unid. 21.7 32.1 48.3 100.0 7.8 8.1 46.6 - 44.1

ANIMAL REMAINS [0.7] - - - - [4.4] [4.4] [48.9] [4.1]

SAND - - - - - - [0.1] - [0.1]

 

Number sampled 20 12 4 2 3 11 31 2 85

Number empty 7 2 0 1 1 3 8 0 22

Mean stomach content (g) 1.166 3.967 3.452 10.571 3.638 2.066 17.951 4.491 9.918

Mean fish length (cm) 36 46 52 68 76 86 94 104 70

 
Page 44

Table B-6b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic sharpnose shark by geographic area. (Samples

gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared

brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

 South South North

of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

CESTODA [<0.1] - -

RHYNCHOCOELA - [<0.1] -

NEMATODA - [<0.1] -

MOLLUSCA [0.2] [16.0] [0.3]

Gastropoda - (1.7) -

Cephalopoda (0.2) (14.0) -

Illex sp. - <0.1 -

Loligo sp. 0.2 4.8 -

Cephalopoda unid. <0.1 9.2 -

Mollusca unid. - (0.3) (0.3)

CRUSTACEA [4.8] [6.3] [22.1]

Cirripedia - (<0.1) -

Stomatopoda (3.3) - -

Squilla empusa 3.3 - -

Decapoda (1.5) (5.7) (22.1)

Libinia emarginata - 1.7 -

Penaeidae 1.5 - -

Pandalidae - <0.1 -

Pagurus sp. - - 5.8

Paguridae - <0.1 -

Sicyonia sp. - 0.4 -

Ovalipes ocellatus - 2.7 14.3

Portunus gibbesii - - 2.0

Crab unid. - 0.2 -

Shrimp unid. - <0.1 <0.1

Decapoda unid. - 0.7 -

Crustacea unid. - (0.6) (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [86.0] [76.0] [77.1]

Etrumeus teres - - 6.0

Clupeidae - 0.9 -

Anchoa hepsetus - 6.2 -

Engraulidae - - 1.2

Syngnathidae 1.2 - -

Sciaenidae - - 30.8

Astroscopus guttatus 28.5 - -

Citharichthys arctifrons - - 3.9

Pleuronectiformes - 1.4 -

Monacanthus hispidus 12.9 - -

Sphoeroides maculatus 16.8 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 26.6 67.5 35.2

ANIMAL REMAINS [9.0] [1.7] [0.1]

SAND - - [0.4]

 

Number sampled 9 60 16

Number empty 0 18 4

Mean stomach content (g) 29.374 4.387 11.087

Mean fish length (cm) 89 63 83

 
Page 45

Table B-7a. Diet composition and sampling data for spiny dogfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <31 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 Total

 

CTENOPHORA [2.6] [2.3] [1.7] [0.8] [0.7] [0.6] [0.9] [<0.1] - [0.5]

MOLLUSCA [20.2] [51.5] [36.5] [58.3] [16.6] [28.4] [27.3] [23.1] [25.1] [26.6]

Bivalvia (<0.1) (27.0) (8.4) (1.7) (0.9) (1.9) (7.4) (11.3) (12.4) (7.7)

Pectinidae - 27.0 8.4 1.7 - - 3.7 6.1 12.4 4.2

Bivalvia unid. <0.1 - - - 0.9 1.9 3.7 5.2 - 3.5

Cephalopoda (20.2) (24.5) (24.0) (56.6) (15.7) (23.1) (19.9) (10.9) (12.7) (17.8)

Illex sp. - - - 4.9 3.0 7.3 6.5 4.2 - 5.2

Loligo sp. - - - 5.3 5.2 3.4 2.6 3.3 8.9 3.4

Cephalopoda unid. 20.2 24.5 24.0 46.4 7.5 12.4 10.8 3.4 3.8 9.2

Mollusca unid. - - (4.1) (<0.1) - (3.4) - (0.9) - (1.1)

CRUSTACEA [4.1] [1.8] [9.5] [8.5] [7.6] [2.9] [2.8] [5.0] [0.8] [4.3]

Euphausiacea (0.7) (1.2) (1.4) (4.4) (6.6) (2.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.8)

Decapoda (1.6) - (7.6) (3.4) (0.7) (0.8) (2.6) (5.0) (0.6) (3.3)

Cancer spp. 0.6 - 6.8 0.2 0.3 0.2 1.9 4.5 0.6 2.5

Decapoda unid. 1.0 - 0.8 3.2 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.5 <0.1 0.8

Crustacea unid. (1.8) (0.6) (0.5) (0.7) (0.3) (<0.1) (0.2) (<0.1) (0.2) (0.2)

OSTEICHTHYES [13.6] [22.6] [44.2] [22.3] [49.9] [36.1] [62.0] [58.4] [66.0] [53.7]

Ophichthidae - - - - - - - 1.2 - 0.5

Alosa aestivalis - - - - - - 3.3 - - 0.9

Alosa pseudoharengus - - - - - 1.7 - 4.3 - 2.1

Brevoortia tyrannus - - - - - 0.4 - - - 0.1

Clupea harengus - - - - - 2.9 - 1.3 - 1.1

Etrumeus teres - - - - - - - 0.6 - 0.2

Clupeidae - - - 2.5 1.6 5.4 0.3 - - 1.3

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - - - - - - 1.9 - - 0.5

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - - - 0.3 1.5 - 0.7

Urophycis chesteri - - - - - - - 1.0 - 0.4

Urophycis chuss - - - - - - 4.3 1.5 - 1.8

Urophycis sp. - - - - - - 5.3 - - 1.5

Gadidae - <0.1 - <0.1 <0.1 3.8 2.0 - <0.1 1.4

Belonidae - - - - 8.1 - - - - 0.3

Carangidae - - - - - - - 1.4 - 0.5

Stenotomus chrysops - - - - - - 0.7 - - 0.2

Astroscopus sp. - - - - - - - 0.9 - 0.4

Anarhichas sp. - - - - - - - 2.2 - 0.9

Ammodytes dubius - - - 0.1 2.6 2.4 0.6 6.5 2.0 3.4

Scomber scombrus - - - - - - 6.3 - - 1.8

Paralichthys dentatus - - - - - 0.1 - 1.0 - 0.4

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - - - - 0.3 0.6 - 0.3

Symphurus sp. - - - - - 1.4 11.4 4.6 8.4 5.6

Hippoglossus hippoglossus - - 3.6 - - - - - - <0.1

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - <0.1 - - - 0.4 - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. 13.6 22.6 40.6 19.7 37.6 18.0 25.3 29.4 55.6 27.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [59.5] [21.8] [8.1] [10.1] [25.2] [32.0] [7.0] [13.5] [8.1] [14.9]

 

Number sampled 226 307 164 235 207 697 368 423 35 2662

Number empty 124 187 104 125 101 357 152 114 8 1272

Mean stomach content (g) 0.261 0.393 1.252 2.705 3.901 6.421 16.711 20.553 24.003 9.720

Mean fish length (cm) 27 34 45 55 66 75 85 94 103 78

 
Page 46

Table B-7b. Diet composition and sampling data for spiny dogfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

Southern South North

 Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

 

CTENOPHORA [0.1] [0.4] [0.1] [0.3] [<0.1] - [2.6]

MOLLUSCA [22.6] [36.7] [25.8] [27.9] [26.3] [5.3] [12.1]

Bivalvia (17.3) (13.6) (7.3) - - (1.9) (2.8)

Pectinidae 3.6 9.4 4.6 - - - 2.1

Bivalvia unid. 13.7 4.2 2.7 - - 1.9 0.7

Cephalopoda (5.0) (22.4) (17.2) (24.7) (26.3) (3.4) (9.1)

Illex sp. - 7.3 1.7 13.9 - - 4.2

Loligo sp. - 6.6 5.3 - - 1.3 4.1

Cephalopoda unid. 5.0 8.5 10.2 10.8 26.3 2.1 0.8

Mollusca unid. (0.3) (0.7) (1.3) (3.2) (<0.1) - (0.2)

CRUSTACEA [1.3] [1.3] [5.7] [3.5] [0.4] [1.6] [14.5]

Euphausiacea (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (3.4) (0.2) - (1.8)

Decapoda (1.3) (1.1) (5.7) (0.1) (0.1) (1.6) (11.9)

Cancer spp. 1.0 1.1 4.5 - <0.1 - 9.5

Decapoda unid. 0.3 <0.1 1.2 0.1 0.1 1.6 2.4

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.1) - (0.8)

OSTEICHTHYES [72.7] [55.8] [49.9] [40.9] [30.6] [92.4] [60.4]

Ophichthidae - - - - - 14.3 -

Alosa aestivalis - - 3.9 - - - -

Alosa pseudoharengus - 6.6 0.9 0.7 - - -

Brevoortia tyrannus - - - - 1.1 - -

Clupea harengus - 1.9 - - - - 6.0

Etrumeus teres 2.0 - - - - - -

Clupeidae - 1.0 <0.1 1.0 - - 8.7

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - 2.1 - - - - -

Merluccius bilinearis - 1.2 1.4 - - - -

Urophycis chesteri - 1.6 - - - - -

Urophycis chuss - 2.3 5.0 - - - -

Urophycis sp. 0.1 5.6 - - - - -

Gadidae - 5.2 <0.1 - - - -

Belonidae - - - 1.7 - - -

Carangidae - - - - - - 5.5

Stenotomus chrysops - 0.7 - - - - -

Astroscopus sp. - - - - - 10.7 -

Anarhichas sp. - - - 4.9 - - -

Ammodytes dubius 3.6 2.1 0.5 12.2 - 0.1 1.0

Scomber scombrus - - - - 25.8 - -

Paralichthys dentatus - 1.5 0.1 - - - -

Scophthalmus aquosus - 0.9 - - - 2.2 -

Symphurus sp. 47.4 - - - - - -

Hippoglossus hippoglossus - - 0.1 - - - -

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - 0.9 - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 19.6 23.1 38.0 19.5 3.7 65.1 39.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [3.3] [5.8] [18.5] [27.4] [42.7] [0.7] [10.4]

 

Number sampled 276 735 783 417 238 17 196

Number empty 150 407 353 190 112 0 60

Mean stomach content (g) 9.464 7.787 6.783 9.395 6.351 43.469 11.083

Mean fish length (cm) 62 58 65 76 74 93 84

 
Page 47

Table B-8. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic angel shark by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 31-50 51-70 71-90 91-110 111-130 Total

 

NEMATODA [0.1] - - - - [<0.1]

CEPHALOPODA [8.1] [27.7] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [7.7]

Ommastrephidae 0.4 - - - - <0.1

Loligo pealeii 6.6 - - - - 0.7

Loligo sp. - 27.5 - - - 6.8

Cephalopoda 1.1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

POLYCHAETA [<0.1] - - - - [<0.1]

Ninoe nigripes <0.1 - - - - <0.1

CRUSTACEA [0.6] [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.2] [0.8] [0.2]

Isopoda (<0.1) - - - - (<0.1)

Cirolana sp. <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda (<0.1) - - - - (<0.1)

Unciola irrorata <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Decapoda (0.6) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.8) (0.2)

Crangonidae 0.1 - - - - <0.1

Paguridae 0.3 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Cancer irroratus - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - 0.8 0.2

Decapoda unid. 0.2 - <0.1 - - <0.1

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.2) - (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [71.1] [62.8] [96.3] [89.2] [90.9] [83.3]

Anchoa hepsetus - 0.3 - - - 0.1

Merluccius bilinearis - 3.3 - - - 0.8

Pomatomus saltatrix - - - - 57.8 17.6

Leiostomus xanthurus - 6.6 18.0 - - 6.4

Sciaenidae - - 51.5 - - 13.7

Peprilus triacanthus - 15.5 - - 0.9 4.1

Prionotus carolinus - - - - 20.5 6.3

Osteichthyes unid. 71.1 37.1 26.8 89.2 11.7 34.3

ANIMAL REMAINS [20.0] [8.6] [2.1] [5.8] [8.3] [7.7]

PLANT [0.1] - [0.6] - - [0.2]

ROCK AND SAND - [0.9] [1.0] [4.8] - [0.9]

 

Number sampled 18 24 6 4 6 58

Number empty 1 3 0 2 0 6

Mean stomach content (g) 6.169 11.561 49.841 18.741 57.076 19.051

Mean fish length (cm) 42 58 79 103 119 65

 
Page 48

Table B-9. Diet composition and sampling data for clearnose skate by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - [6.9] - [1.4] [2.4] [0.2] [0.9]

Bivalvia - - (6.9) - (0.6) (<0.1) (0.2) (0.3)

Ensis directus - - - - 0.6 <0.1 - 0.1

Solenidae - - 6.9 - - - - 0.1

Cephalopoda - - - - (0.8) (2.4) - (0.6)

Mollusca unid. - - - - - (<0.1) 0.2 (0.1)

POLYCHAETA - - - [6.5] [<0.1] - [<0.1] [0.4]

Diopatra cuprea - - - 3.9 - - - 0.2

Ophelia sp. - - - 2.6 - - - 0.2

Polychaeta unid. - - - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1 <0.1

CRUSTACEA - [100.0] [90.4] [72.8] [16.8] [83.8] [24.0] [39.4]

Stomatopoda - - - - (1.6) - - (0.3)

Amphipoda - - (3.2) (0.4) (<0.1) - - (0.1)

Ampelisca verrilli - - 3.2 - - - - 0.1

Byblis serrata - - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Acanthohaustorius millsi - - - 0.1 - - - <0.1

Rhepoxynius epistomus - - - 0.3 - - - <0.1

Mysidacea - (1.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Decapoda - (98.9) (82.2) (72.4) (15.2) (83.6) (23.5) (38.6)

Penaeus aztecus - - - - - - 5.9 3.3

Penaeidae - - 0.6 - - - - <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa - - 1.6 0.6 <0.1 0.2 - 0.1

Shrimp unid. - - 5.4 - - - - 0.1

Pagurus pollicaris - - - - - 0.4 - 0.1

Sicyonia sp. - - - - 1.9 1.5 - 0.6

Cancer irroratus - - 54.5 71.5 10.8 39.8 17.6 24.9

Cancer sp. - - - - - 0.7 - 0.1

Cancridae - - - 0.3 0.8 - - 0.2

Ovalipes ocellatus - 98.9 10.5 - 0.5 0.8 - 0.6

Portunidae - - - - - 27.6 - 5.6

Scyllaridae - - - - - 2.3 - 0.5

Crab unid. - - - - 0.1 10.3 - 2.1

Decapoda unid. - - 9.6 - 1.1 - - 0.4

Crustacea unid. - - (5.0) - - (0.2) (0.5) (0.4)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - [19.7] [78.6] [13.4] [74.3] [57.8]

Branchiostoma sp. - - - 8.2 - - - 0.5

Myoxocephalus scorpius - - - - - 0.6 - 0.1

Cynoscion regalis - - - - - - 41.9 23.1

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 7.1 - - 1.2

Soleidae - - - - 65.7 - - 10.8

Osteichthyes unid. - - - 11.5 5.8 12.8 32.4 22.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [100.0] - [2.7] [1.0] [3.2] [0.4] [1.5] [1.5]

 

Number sampled 1 1 6 7 12 12 11 50

Number empty 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 6

Mean stomach content (g) 0.033 0.377 0.800 2.303 3.608 4.465 13.273 5.284

Mean fish length (cm) 33 38 42 48 53 58 62 53

 
Page 49

Table B-10a. Diet composition and sampling data for little skate by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 >51 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - - [0.2] [0.8] [4.7] [4.9] [2.7] [5.8] [3.8]

Bivalvia - - - (0.2) - (1.7) (3.1) (1.4) (5.8) (2.4)

Mollusca unid. - - - - (0.8) (3.0) (1.8) (1.3) - (1.4)

POLYCHAETA [0.3] [7.1] [2.2] [11.8] [17.9] [6.6] [11.1] [15.2] [6.2] [12.9]

Maldanidae - - - 4.3 0.4 1.3 0.4 1.2 0.6 0.9

Aphroditidae - - - - - 0.6 - 3.4 1.9 1.7

Nephtys spp. - - - 1.4 14.7 <0.1 1.8 1.0 - 1.9

Polychaeta unid. 0.3 7.1 2.2 6.2 2.8 4.7 8.9 9.6 3.7 8.4

CRUSTACEA [86.1] [85.9] [96.6] [83.5] [38.7] [62.3] [64.4] [66.3] [69.5] [65.5]

Stomatopoda - - - - - - (1.4) (<0.1) (8.8) (1.3)

Cumacea (12.3) (5.4) (2.0) (7.8) (0.7) (0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.3)

Pseudoleptocuma minor 3.8 3.8 - - - - <0.1 - - 0.1

Cumacea unid. 8.5 1.6 2.0 7.8 0.7 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Isopoda - - - (6.9) (0.6) (5.3) (3.3) (2.2) (<0.1) (2.4)

Cirolana sp. - - - 6.9 0.6 5.3 3.3 2.2 <0.1 2.4

Amphipoda (35.1) (44.8) (62.1) (48.3) (15.9) (22.3) (13.2) (13.9) (15.4) (15.7)

Byblis serrata 4.8 3.6 5.1 3.2 0.3 1.6 0.2 0.2 - 0.4

Ampeliscidae 1.3 5.1 3.5 0.7 0.2 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Unciola spp. 3.7 6.3 16.2 6.1 1.7 7.5 3.7 2.3 <0.1 2.9

Gammarus annulatus - - 0.7 11.0 - 0.7 0.5 <0.1 0.2 0.4

Oedicerotidae 10.9 13.2 8.4 0.5 2.8 1.1 0.8 1.3 <0.1 1.2

Leptocheirus pinguis 4.5 9.6 8.8 5.0 10.7 3.2 5.4 6.9 15.1 7.2

Amphipoda unid. 9.9 7.0 19.4 21.8 0.2 7.9 2.6 3.2 0.1 3.4

Decapoda (21.9) (22.7) (21.6) (13.1) (19.7) (32.2) (40.0) (46.2) (37.2) (40.5)

Crangon septemspinosa 15.5 18.9 18.7 8.8 4.1 7.3 5.7 4.4 5.8 5.4

Axius serratus - - - - - - 2.1 1.1 - 1.2

Cancer borealis - - - - - 8.3 3.4 2.6 5.4 3.2

Cancer irroratus - 0.2 2.2 3.1 7.4 13.1 22.0 27.1 9.9 21.2

Pagurus acadianus - - - - - 0.4 0.2 3.0 7.7 2.2

Decapoda unid. 6.4 3.6 0.7 1.2 8.2 3.1 6.6 8.0 8.4 7.3

Crustacea unid. (16.8) (13.0) (10.9) (7.4) (1.8) (2.4) (6.5) (4.0) (8.1) (5.3)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - [2.4] [37.2] [5.3] [10.8] [5.4] [10.7] [9.5]

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - - - 1.7 - - 0.6

Gadidae - - - - - - 1.1 <0.1 - 0.4

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 35.7 0.8 5.7 1.7 0.3 4.7

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - - - - - - - 8.4 0.8

Lepophidium profundorum - - - - - - 0.2 - - 0.1

Bothidae - - - - 0.5 - - <0.1 - 0.1

Pleuronectes americanus - - - - 0.2 - - - - <0.1

Pleuronectiformes - - - 1.3 - - 0.1 <0.1 0.7 0.1

Osteichthyes eggs or larvae - - - - - 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - - 1.1 0.8 4.2 2.0 3.7 1.3 2.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [13.6] [7.0] [1.2] [2.1] [5.4] [21.1] [8.8] [10.4] [7.8] [8.3]

 

Number sampled 58 14 11 25 25 45 130 175 21 504

Number empty 2 0 1 3 3 6 14 17 1 47

Mean stomach content (g) 0.075 0.222 0.222 0.319 1.416 0.758 1.625 1.580 2.936 1.263

Mean fish length (cm) 10 18 22 28 33 38 43 47 52 38

 
Page 50

Table B-10b. Diet composition and sampling data for little skate by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 Middle New Georges of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [12.8] [3.4] [1.5] [0.9]

Bivalvia 6.3 2.3 1.5 0.9

Mollusca unid. 6.5 1.1 <0.1 <0.1

POLYCHAETA [3.2] [21.7] [15.0] [3.3]

Maldanidae 0.7 3.8 1.1 0.4

Aphroditidae - 2.9 2.7 -

Nephtys spp. - 2.1 4.2 -

Polychaeta unid. 2.5 12.9 7.0 2.9

CRUSTACEA [53.5] [61.7] [67.4] [73.0]

Stomatopoda (<0.1) (<0.1) - (5.4)

Cumacea (<0.1) (0.4) (<0.1) (0.3)

Pseudoleptocuma minor - - <0.1 0.2

Cumacea unid. <0.1 0.4 <0.1 0.1

Isopoda (0.8) (3.1) (3.3) (1.5)

Cirolana sp. 0.8 3.1 3.3 1.5

Amphipoda (1.3) (26.6) (11.5) (14.6)

Byblis serrata <0.1 0.4 0.2 0.7

Unciola spp. 0.5 4.6 0.5 5.1

Gammarus annulatus - 0.5 - 1.0

Oedicerotidae <0.1 1.0 2.6 0.8

Leptocheirus pinguis 0.4 16.7 3.4 3.5

Amphipoda unid. 0.4 3.4 4.8 3.5

Decapoda (42.8) (25.7) (47.1) (49.4)

Crangon septemspinosa 3.0 6.2 4.8 6.5

Axius serratus 0.5 0.3 3.5 -

Cancer borealis 3.0 3.5 0.9 5.7

Cancer irroratus 26.1 9.7 24.1 29.7

Pagurus acadianus - 0.9 6.0 0.7

Decapoda unid. 10.2 5.1 7.8 6.8

Crustacea unid. (8.6) (5.9) (5.5) (1.8)

OSTEICHTHYES [24.2] [1.7] [2.9] [17.5]

Anchoa mitchilli - - - 2.3

Gadidae 2.3 - - 0.2

Ammodytes dubius 19.5 0.3 - 6.4

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - 1.7 1.3

Lepophidium profundorum - - - 0.3

Bothidae 0.3 - - <0.1

Pleuronectes americanus - <0.1 - -

Pleuronectiformes 0.2 <0.1 0.4 <0.1

Osteichthyes eggs or larvae - <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. 1.9 1.4 0.8 6.8

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [6.3] [11.5] [13.2] [5.3]

 

Number sampled 63 202 105 134

Number empty 1 31 8 7

Mean stomach content (g) 1.581 1.000 1.727 1.148

Mean fish length (cm) 35 41 42 33

 
Page 51

Table B-11a. Diet composition and sampling data for winter skate by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <31 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 Total

 

MOLLUSCA [0.4] [4.6] [4.8] [10.7] [12.3] [24.8] [23.8] [1.9] - [15.8]

Bivalvia (0.4) (4.6) (4.6) (10.7) (10.4) (16.6) (9.4) (0.8) - (8.8)

Solenidae - - - - 6.5 3.2 4.0 - - 2.7

Bivalvia unid. 0.4 4.6 4.6 10.7 3.9 13.4 5.4 0.8 - 6.1

Cephalopoda - (<0.1) (0.2) - (1.9) (8.2) (13.4) (1.1) - (7.0)

Illex sp. - - - - 1.9 7.2 12.2 1.1 - 6.3

Cephalopoda unid. - <0.1 0.2 - - 1.0 1.2 - - 0.7

POLYCHAETA [12.9] [8.2] [15.9] [21.9] [13.1] [14.0] [6.1] [1.3] [2.4] [8.5]

Lumbrineris fragilis - 0.9 3.3 1.6 0.4 1.4 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.5

Ophelia sp. - 1.0 0.1 5.5 3.1 2.1 1.4 0.3 2.4 1.6

Nephtys bucera - <0.1 0.5 1.7 4.7 3.1 0.7 0.5 - 1.7

Nephtyidae 4.2 0.2 4.8 4.7 2.6 4.9 2.8 0.2 - 2.8

Polychaeta unid. 8.7 6.1 7.2 8.4 2.3 2.5 1.2 0.3 - 1.9

CRUSTACEA [85.7] [78.3] [65.2] [30.5] [6.7] [6.1] [2.3] [0.8] [<0.1] [7.4]

Isopoda (4.9) (3.2) (4.3) (4.3) (1.5) (1.2) (0.1) (<0.1) - (0.8)

Cirolana sp. 4.9 3.2 4.3 4.3 1.5 1.2 0.1 <0.1 - 0.8

Amphipoda (51.9) (31.6) (11.6) (8.6) (0.7) (0.4) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (1.4)

Byblis serrata 7.4 1.9 0.6 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.1

Unciola irrorata 7.8 4.9 0.5 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Haustoriidae 7.1 5.9 0.2 2.4 0.4 0.4 <0.1 - - 0.4

Leptocheirus pinguis 23.7 2.1 4.8 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1 0.2

Amphipoda unid. 5.9 16.8 5.5 6.0 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.6

Decapoda (27.6) (39.8) (45.1) (16.5) (4.4) (4.4) (1.9) (0.8) - (4.8)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.3 2.2 0.3 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 0.4 - 0.3

Crangon septemspinosa 7.0 6.7 29.5 6.9 0.8 0.5 0.2 <0.1 - 1.3

Pagurus spp. - 5.6 0.1 4.4 0.1 0.7 <0.1 - - 0.4

Cancer irroratus 20.1 24.0 7.1 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.7 0.3 - 1.7

Ovalipes ocellatus - 0.9 4.0 3.6 0.5 1.2 <0.1 - - 0.5

Decapoda unid. 0.5 2.3 2.2 0.1 1.0 0.7 <0.1 0.1 - 0.6

Crustacea unid. (1.3) (3.7) (4.2) (1.1) (0.1) (0.1) (0.3) (<0.1) - (0.4)

CHONDRICHTHYES - - - - [0.5] [0.2] [1.1] - - [0.5]

Rajidae - - - - 0.5 0.2 1.1 - - 0.5

OSTEICHTHYES [0.4] [4.9] [9.6] [32.6] [64.7] [49.2] [65.5] [95.2] [96.4] [66.2]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - 0.2 - - - - - <0.1

Gadus morhua - - 0.4 - - - - - - <0.1

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - <0.1 0.2 - 11.7 - 2.7

Gadidae - - - - - <0.1 3.2 8.0 - 2.9

Ammodytes dubius - 3.8 5.2 30.9 60.4 35.4 55.4 68.0 64.0 51.9

Cottidae - - - - - 4.3 - - - 1.0

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - 0.2 - - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 0.4 1.1 3.8 1.5 4.3 9.3 6.9 7.5 32.4 7.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.6] [4.0] [4.5] [4.3] [2.7] [5.7] [1.2] [0.8] [1.2] [1.6]

 

Number sampled 12 52 72 37 85 173 199 102 13 745

Number empty 0 4 4 7 16 36 39 38 6 150

Mean stomach content (g) 0.687 1.264 1.822 2.869 7.030 7.174 8.910 11.630 11.103 6.588

Mean fish length (cm) 24 36 45 55 66 76 84 94 103 72

 
Page 52

Table B-11b. Diet composition and sampling data for winter skate by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [10.9] [16.4] [11.7] [0.3]

Bivalvia (0.7) (9.5) - (0.3)

Solenidae - 3.0 - -

Bivalvia unid. 0.7 6.5 - 0.3

Cephalopoda (10.2) (6.9) (11.7) -

Illex sp. - 6.9 - -

Cephalopoda unid. 10.2 <0.1 11.7 -

POLYCHAETA [9.0] [8.4] [<0.1] [2.7]

Lumbrineris fragilis - 0.6 - -

Ophelia sp. - 1.6 - 1.6

Nephtys bucera 4.7 1.7 - -

Nephtyidae 0.9 2.9 <0.1 0.8

Polychaeta unid. 3.4 1.6 - 0.3

CRUSTACEA [8.2] [6.2] [0.1] [8.1]

Isopoda (2.1) (0.8) - (0.3)

Cirolana sp. 2.1 0.8 - 0.3

Amphipoda (4.1) (0.5) - (1.3)

Byblis serrata 0.2 <0.1 - 0.2

Unciola irrorata 1.0 <0.1 - 0.6

Leptocheirus pinguis 1.6 0.2 - -

Amphipoda unid. 1.3 0.3 - 0.5

Decapoda (1.5) (4.5) - (6.5)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus <0.1 0.3 - -

Crangon septemspinosa 0.5 1.3 - 0.3

Pagurus spp. <0.1 0.3 - -

Cancer irroratus 1.0 1.8 - 0.3

Ovalipes ocellatus - 0.4 - 5.9

Decapoda unid. <0.1 0.4 - -

Crustacea unid. (0.5) (0.4) (0.1) (<0.1)

CHONDRICHTHYES - [0.5] - -

Rajidae - 0.5 - -

OSTEICHTHYES [66.6] [64.7] [88.1] [88.2]

Ophichthus cruentifer - <0.1 - -

Gadus morhua - <0.1 - -

Merluccius bilinearis - 2.9 - -

Gadidae - 3.1 - -

Ammodytes dubius 64.1 50.3 88.1 48.2

Cottidae - 1.1 - -

Pleuronectes ferruginus - <0.1 - -

Osteichthyes larvae - <0.1 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 2.5 7.3 - 40.0

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [5.3] [3.8] [0.1] [0.7]

 

Number sampled 34 661 12 36

Number empty 8 122 2 16

Mean stomach content (g) 3.658 7.291 15.204 3.542

Mean fish length (cm) 62 72 87 83

 
Page 53

Table B-12a. Diet composition and sampling data for thorny skate by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <21 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 >90 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - [4.2] [0.4] [7.5] [12.3] [12.1] [6.4] [5.2] [45.9] [22.9]

Illex sp. - - - - - 2.8 - - 17.5 7.3

Loligo sp. - - - - - - - - 26.3 10.5

Octopoda - - 0.4 - - - - 3.6 - 0.6

Cephalopoda unid. - 4.2 <0.1 7.5 12.3 9.3 6.4 1.6 2.1 4.5

ANNELIDA [34.7] [37.5] [25.1] [30.7] [39.2] [11.7] [15.3] [16.0] [0.9] [10.7]

Aphroditidae 21.0 0.1 1.4 0.4 17.4 2.7 3.0 - - 2.0

Nephtys spp. 7.8 6.2 5.2 1.3 5.1 5.0 3.0 1.9 <0.1 2.0

Nephtyidae 2.3 - 0.7 0.5 3.4 1.4 1.4 0.8 <0.1 0.8

Nereis sp. - - - - 2.4 - 3.6 2.8 - 1.4

Annelida unid. 3.6 31.2 17.8 28.5 10.9 2.6 4.3 10.5 0.9 4.5

CRUSTACEA [48.7] [30.4] [70.3] [32.1] [18.7] [19.0] [10.6] [25.7] [3.3] [13.0]

Isopoda (0.2) (3.6) (0.4) (0.3) (0.4) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.1) - (0.1)

Amphipoda (33.8) (9.6) (9.7) (5.2) (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (0.3)

Euphausiacea (1.1) (0.5) (33.9) (3.9) (0.8) (0.4) (6.0) (0.9) (<0.1) (2.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 1.1 0.5 33.9 3.9 0.8 0.4 6.0 0.9 <0.1 2.3

Decapoda (8.5) (11.3) (19.9) (12.7) (15.2) (17.2) (4.6) (23.5) (2.0) (9.1)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - 1.4 1.4 0.1 3.0 0.5 1.0

Pandalidae - - - - <0.1 2.0 <0.1 3.4 <0.1 0.9

Crangon septemspinosa 7.0 6.0 0.3 1.4 <0.1 0.5 - - - 0.1

Axiidae - - - 9.1 1.8 0.3 - 0.3 1.5 0.8

Paguridae 0.7 4.9 13.5 - - 2.6 0.6 0.3 - 0.5

Hyas sp. - - 3.8 0.5 - 9.9 3.6 8.2 - 3.5

Cancer spp. 0.3 0.2 - - 8.0 - - 4.6 - 1.1

Decapoda unid. 0.5 0.2 2.3 1.7 4.0 0.5 0.3 3.7 <0.1 1.2

Crustacea unid. (5.1) (5.4) (6.4) (10.0) (2.0) (1.4) (<0.1) (1.2) (1.3) (1.2)

AGNATHA - - - - - - [1.3] - - [0.3]

CHONDRICHTHYES - - - - - - - [15.1] - [2.3]

OSTEICHTHYES [3.1] [3.7] [0.1] - [22.8] [51.1] [60.9] [29.5] [45.1] [45.3]

Clupea harengus - - - - - 36.5 - - 20.8 12.9

Clupea sp. - - - - - - 25.5 - - 6.5

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 8.2 13.2 2.0 - 4.7

Scombridae - - - - - - - - 1.9 0.7

Anarhichadidae - - - - 4.2 - - - - 0.2

Cottidae - - - - - 4.6 0.3 - - 0.7

Cryptacanthodes maculatus - - - - - - 1.3 15.5 - 2.7

Lumpenus maculatus - - - - - - 7.7 - - 1.9

Scophthalmus sp. - - - - - - - - 7.3 2.9

Pleuronectidae 3.1 3.1 - - - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes eggs - - - - - - 6.1 - - 1.5

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.6 0.1 - 18.6 1.8 6.8 12.0 15.1 10.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [13.5] [24.2] [4.1] [29.7] [7.0] [6.1] [5.5] [8.5] [4.8] [5.5]

 

Number sampled 31 16 30 29 36 36 42 31 18 269

Number empty 2 0 6 3 3 4 6 0 2 26

Mean stomach content (g) 0.241 0.434 1.170 0.670 3.098 9.065 15.467 12.595 56.514 9.532

Mean fish length (cm) 16 26 34 45 55 65 75 85 95 56

 
Page 54

Table B-12b. Diet composition and sampling data for thorny skate by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

 North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA [6.4] [32.6] [16.3] [<0.1]

Illex sp. 1.4 10.9 - -

Loligo sp. - 16.4 - -

Octopoda - 0.9 - -

Cephalopoda unid. 5.0 4.4 16.3 <0.1

ANNELIDA [5.6] [8.5] [45.5] [29.6]

Aphroditidae 1.7 1.1 12.9 5.9

Nephtys spp. 1.6 1.3 20.6 3.1

Nephtyidae <0.1 1.3 - <0.1

Nereis sp. - - - 18.0

Annelida unid. 2.3 4.8 12.0 2.6

CRUSTACEA [17.5] [10.7] [20.7] [4.0]

Isopoda (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.2) (<0.1) (4.5) (0.3)

Euphausiacea (<0.1) (3.5) (0.2) (<0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica <0.1 3.5 0.2 <0.1

Decapoda (17.1) (5.8) (10.9) (3.5)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 0.2 1.2 4.9 0.1

Pandalidae - 1.3 - 0.2

Crangon septemspinosa 0.2 <0.1 - 0.9

Axiidae - 0.9 3.3 0.9

Paguridae 2.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Hyas sp. 13.3 - 1.0 0.7

Cancer spp. <0.1 1.6 - -

Decapoda unid. 1.3 0.8 1.7 0.7

Crustacea unid. (0.2) (1.4) (5.1) (0.2)

AGNATHA - [0.5] - -

CHONDRICHTHYES [8.9] - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [59.2] [38.3] [15.4] [64.8]

Clupea harengus - 13.0 - 57.8

Clupea sp. 25.0 - - -

Ammodytes dubius 18.2 - - -

Scombridae - 1.2 - -

Anarhichadidae - - 7.8 -

Cottidae 0.2 0.9 - -

Cryptacanthodes maculatus <0.1 4.2 - -

Lumpenus maculatus - 3.0 - -

Scophthalmus sp. - 4.5 - -

Pleuronectidae <0.1 - - -

Osteichthyes eggs 6.0 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 9.8 11.5 7.6 7.0

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.4] [9.4] [2.1] [1.6]

 

Number sampled 67 156 16 30

Number empty 5 18 1 2

Mean stomach content (g) 9.861 10.491 3.794 6.871

Mean fish length (cm) 50 59 56 52

 
Page 55

Table B-13. Diet composition and sampling data for smooth skate by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <26 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 >60 Total

 

NEMATODA - - - - [0.7] - - [0.1] - [0.1]

CRUSTACEA [56.7] [72.2] [100.0] [93.2] [99.3] [100.0] [99.5] [98.2] [100.0] [96.6]

Isopoda - - - - - - (23.2) - - (1.5)

Amphipoda - (0.8) - - - - - - - [<0.1]

Mysidacea - (5.3) - - - (0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Erythrops erythrophthalma - 1.1 - - - 0.1 - - - <0.1

Pseudomma affine - 4.2 - - - - - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea (56.7) (51.2) - - - - - (66.0) - (23.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 56.7 51.2 - - - - - 66.0 - 23.1

Decapoda - - (55.8) (93.2) (97.9) (97.5) (51.3) (29.5) (100.0) (69.2)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - 41.6 97.9 5.5 - - - 15.7

Pandalus borealis - - - 51.1 - - - 22.8 - 14.4

Pandalus montagui - - - 0.5 - 7.4 - - - 2.0

Pandalidae - - - - - 43.5 - <0.1 - 11.5

Crangon septemspinosa - - - - - 10.9 - - - 2.9

Paguridae - - - - - - 51.3 - - 3.3

Cancer borealis - - - - - - - 4.0 - 1.4

Cancer irroratus - - - - - 4.5 - - - 1.2

Shrimp unid. - - - - - - - 2.7 100.0 8.9

Decapoda unid. - - 55.8 - - 25.7 - - - 7.9

Crustacea unid. - (14.9) (44.2) - (1.4) (2.4) (25.0) (2.7) - (4.3)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - - - [0.3] - - [<0.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS [43.3] [27.8] - [6.8] - - [0.2] [1.7] - [3.3]

 

Number sampled 1 6 2 3 3 5 4 4 1 29

Number empty 0 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 8

Mean stomach content (g) 0.171 0.088 0.641 2.900 2.028 3.545 1.089 5.734 5.383 2.316

Mean fish length (cm) 17 27 33 37 42 49 53 58 66 43

 
Page 56

Table B-14. Diet composition and sampling data for bluntnose stingray by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 21-40 41-60 61-80 >80 Total

 

CESTODA - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA - [91.4] [19.3] [0.1] [19.7]

Spisula solidissima - - 0.4 0.1 <0.1

Bivalvia - 91.4 18.9 - 19.7

POLYCHAETA [1.1] [0.1] [11.6] [0.2] [10.2]

Nereis sp. - - - 0.2 <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 1.1 0.1 11.6 - 10.2

SIPUNCULA - - [2.2] - [2.0]

Golfingia sp. - - 2.2 - 2.0

CRUSTACEA [85.2] [0.7] [19.0] [97.1] [24.2]

Amphipoda (77.4) (0.4) - - (0.4)

Ampelisca macrocephala 49.5 - - - 0.1

Ampelisca verrilli 15.2 - - - 0.2

Unciola sp. - <0.1 - - <0.1

Gammaridea 9.6 - - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. 3.1 0.4 - - <0.1

Euphausiacea - - - (1.8) (0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - 1.7 0.1

Euphausiacea unid. - - - 0.1 <0.1

Decapoda (2.3) (0.3) (18.5) (95.3) (23.2)

Hippolytidae - - - <0.1 <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa 2.3 0.3 - 20.0 1.5

Callianassa setimanus - - 14.2 - 12.5

Callianassa sp. - - 0.2 - 0.1

Callianassidae - - 3.6 - 3.2

Cancer irroratus - - - 9.3 0.7

Munida iris - - - 0.2 <0.1

Munida valida - - - 2.0 0.1

Ranilia muricata - - - 49.0 3.6

Decapoda unid. - - 0.5 14.8 1.5

Crustacea unid. (5.5) - (0.5) - (0.5)

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] - [46.2] [0.2] [40.9]

Anchoa mitchilli - - 0.5 - 0.4

Osmerus mordax - - - 0.2 <0.1

Leiostomus xanthurus - - 39.4 - 34.9

Stenotomus chrysops - - 6.2 - 5.5

Osteichthyes eggs <0.1 - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - 0.1 - 0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS [12.3] [7.8] [1.7] [2.4] [3.0]

SAND [1.4] - - - [<0.1]

 

Number sampled 8 7 8 3 26

Number empty 3 1 0 0 4

Mean stomach content (g) 0.572 2.068 48.777 10.689 16.974

Mean fish length (cm) 26 51 72 119 58

 
Page 57

Table B-15a. Diet composition and sampling data for alewife by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

CNIDARIA - - - [0.9] [2.1] - [1.5]

CHAETOGNATHA - - [0.3] [1.3] [0.8] - [0.9]

MOLLUSCA - - - [<0.1] [0.4] [0.3] [0.3]

Opisthobranchia - - - - 0.2 <0.1 0.1

Gastropoda - - - <0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Cephalopoda - - - - 0.1 - 0.1

CRUSTACEA [98.5] [99.8] [79.2] [89.1] [90.2] [37.7] [88.7]

Copepoda (67.5) (29.6) (17.2) (27.2) (17.7) (10.5) (21.3)

Candacia armata - - - - <0.1 0.6 <0.1

Calanoida 5.6 14.4 4.4 3.1 8.6 1.6 6.3

Copepoda unid. 61.9 15.2 12.8 24.1 9.1 8.3 15.0

Amphipoda (0.8) (0.5) (0.4) (3.4) (6.5) (8.3) (5.2)

Hyperia glaba - - - - - 0.4 <0.1

Parathemisto sp. - - <0.1 1.9 5.2 7.9 3.7

Hyperiidae 0.8 0.5 0.4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1

Unciola sp. - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Rhachotropis oculata - - - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Gammarus sp. - - - 0.2 0.2 - 0.2

Protohaustorius wigleyi - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Monoculodes sp. - - - 0.4 <0.1 - 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Pontogeneia inermis - - - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - - - 0.9 1.1 - 1.0

Mysidacea - - - (6.1) (2.9) - (3.8)

Neomysis americana - - - 5.8 2.9 - 3.7

Mysidacea unid. - - - 0.3 - - 0.1

Euphausacea - (27.1) (19.7) (45.1) (53.9) (2.3) (47.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 10.1 19.7 39.6 51.8 2.1 43.7

Euphausiacea unid. - 17.0 - 5.5 2.1 0.2 3.4

Decapoda - (0.4) (1.8) (3.9) (1.7) (<0.1) (2.5)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Crangon septemspinosa - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Paguroidea - - 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda larvae - 0.4 1.7 3.9 1.5 <0.1 2.4

Crustacea unid. (30.2) (42.2) (40.1) (3.4) (7.5) (16.6) (8.8)

THALIACEA - - - [0.4] [1.4] [6.1] [1.0]

Salpidae - - - 0.2 <0.1 6.1 0.2

Thaliacea unid. - - - 0.2 1.4 - 0.8

LARVACEA - - - - [0.2] [4.4] [0.2]

OSTEICHTHYES - - [17.6] [0.8] [0.4] - [1.7]

Ammodytes dubius - - 15.0 - - - 1.0

Osteichthyes unid. - - 2.6 0.8 0.4 - 0.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.5] [0.2] [2.9] [7.5] [4.5] [51.5] [5.7]

 

Number sampled 11 25 40 70 87 7 240

Number empty 0 5 8 5 9 1 28

Mean stomach content (g) 0.011 0.100 0.276 0.905 1.056 0.484 0.718

Mean fish length (cm) 8 13 18 23 27 32 22

 
Page 58

Table B-15b. Diet composition and sampling data for alewife by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA - - - - - [9.6]

CHAETOGNATHA [36.4] - - [<0.1] - [0.1]

MOLLUSCA [2.5] [0.3] - [0.2] - -

Opisthobranchia - - - 0.2 - -

Gastropoda - 0.3 - <0.1 - -

Cephalopoda 2.5 - - - --

CRUSTACEA [56.5] [92.4] [82.1] [93.1] [99.9] [68.3]

Copepoda (28.6) (46.6) - (8.6) - (42.2)

Candacia armata - - - <0.1 - -

Calanoida 28.6 2.6 - 1.7 - 26.3

Copepoda unid. - 44.0 - 6.9 - 15.9

Amphipoda (8.4) (15.2) (79.3) (1.3) - (<0.1)

Hyperia glaba - - - <0.1 - -

Parathemisto sp. 7.6 13.8 - 1.3 - <0.1

Hyperiidae 0.8 - - <0.1 - <0.1

Unciola sp. - - <0.1 - - -

Rhachotropis oculata - - 1.3 - - -

Gammarus sp. - 1.1 - - - -

Monoculodes sp. - - 12.1 - - -

Leptocheirus pinguis - - <0.1 - - -

Pontogeneia inermis - - 0.6 - - -

Amphipoda unid. - 0.3 65.3 - - -

Mysidacea - (19.0) - - - -

Neomysis americana - 18.4 - - - -

Mysidacea unid. - 0.6 - - - -

Euphausacea - (5.9) - (70.9) (99.9) (7.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 5.7 - 64.8 99.9 7.1

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.2 - 6.1 - <0.1

Decapoda - (0.7) (0.3) (<0.1) - (15.4)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.7 - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 0.3 - - -

Paguroidea - - - - - 0.2

Decapoda larvae - - - <0.1 - 15.2

Crustacea unid. (19.5) (5.0) (2.5) (12.3) - (3.6)

THALIACEA - - - [0.4] - [5.2]

Salpidae - - - 0.4 - -

Thaliacea unid. - - - - - 5.2

LARVACEA - - - [0.3] - -

OSTEICHTHYES [1.9] [2.0] [0.4] [0.1] - [7.3]

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 6.2

Osteichthyes unid. 1.9 2.0 0.4 0.1 - 1.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.7] [5.3] [17.5] [5.9] [0.1] [9.5]

 

Number sampled 10 26 10 126 5 64

Number empty 0 7 1 15 1 5

Mean stomach content (g) 0.431 1.317 0.238 0.749 2.059 0.417

Mean fish length (cm) 25 25 26 20 29 23

 
Page 59

Table B-16. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic menhaden by fish length category. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

FORAMINIFERA [2.3] - - [0.2]

CRUSTACEA [14.4] [57.5] [19.5] [49.8]

Copepoda (12.5) (45.2) (19.5) (39.6)

Calanoida 12.5 44.7 19.5 39.2

Copepoda unid. - 0.5 - 0.4

Mysidacea - (12.0) - (9.7)

Neomysis americana - 12.0 - 9.7

Decapoda (1.9) (0.3) - (0.5)

Pagurus sp. - <0.1 - 0.1

Pagurus larvae 1.5 - - 0.1

Decapoda larvae 0.4 0.3 - 0.3

Crustacea larvae - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

ANIMAL REMAINS [29.1] [9.4] [80.5] [18.1]

SAND [54.2] [33.1] - [31.9]

 

Number sampled 11 15 6 32

Number empty 3 0 0 3

Mean stomach content (g) 0.024 0.151 0.045 0.087

Mean fish length (cm) 17 22 26 21

 
Page 60

Table B-17a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic herring by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

TREMATODA - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - - [15.1] [4.0] - [7.5]

GASTROPODA - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [98.9] [95.9] [68.6] [93.4] [98.4] [85.2]

Copepoda (0.6) - (2.6) (4.2) (98.4) (3.8)

Calanus sp. - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Calanoida 0.6 - 1.1 0.1 16.1 0.5

Copepoda unid. - - 1.5 4.1 82.3 3.3

Cirripedia - - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Cumacea - - (0.3) - - (0.1)

Diastylidae - - 0.3 - - 0.1

Amphipoda (1.2) (8.5) (1.2) (5.1) - (3.7)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii - - 0.4 4.8 - 3.0

Parathemisto sp. - 0.1 0.8 0.3 - 0.4

Hyperiidae 1.2 8.4 <0.1 - - 0.3

Calliopius laeviusculus - - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Gammaridea - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Erythrops erythrophthalma - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Euphausiacea (83.6) (43.2) (62.9) (83.8) - (75.1)

Euphausia sp. - - 1.1 - - 0.4

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 1.5 10.3 37.0 82.0 - 61.8

Thysanoessa raschii 81.9 - 10.4 1.8 - 7.0

Euphausiacea unid. 0.2 32.9 14.4 - - 5.9

Decapoda (0.3) - (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Decapoda larvae 0.3 - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Crustacea larvae - - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Crustacea unid. (13.2) (44.2) (1.6) (0.3) - (2.5)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - [<0.1] - [<0.1]

Pholis gunnellus - - - <0.1 - <0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS [0.7] [4.1] [16.3] [2.6] [1.6] [7.3]

ROCK [0.4] - - - - [<0.1]

 

Number sampled 21 18 51 45 4 139

Number empty 4 2 12 11 2 31

Mean stomach content (g) 0.101 0.126 0.472 0.946 0.076 0.513

Mean fish length (cm) 13 17 23 27 31 22

 
Page 61

Table B-17b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic herring by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore

 South North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras Hatteras

 

TREMATODA [<0.1] - - - -

CHAETOGNATHA [58.0] - - - -

GASTROPODA - [<0.1] - - -

CRUSTACEA [4.3] [97.6] [97.2] - [2.3]

Copepoda (2.8) (4.5) (0.3) - (2.3)

Calanus sp. - <0.1 - - -

Calanoida 2.8 0.2 0.3 - 2.3

Copepoda unid. - 4.3 - - -

Cirripedia - (<0.1) - - -

Cumacea - (0.1) - - -

Diastylidae - 0.1 - - -

Amphipoda (1.3) (4.7) (0.1) - -

Parathemisto gaudichaudii 1.1 3.7 0.1 - -

Parathemisto sp. - 0.6 - - -

Hyperiidae <0.1 0.4 - - -

Calliopius laeviusculus 0.2 - - - -

Gammaridea - <0.1 - - -

Mysidacea (<0.1) (<0.1) - - -

Erythrops erythrophthalma - <0.1 - - -

Mysidopsis bigelowi <0.1 - - - -

Euphausiacea (0.2) (85.7) (92.1) - -

Euphausia sp. - - 3.6 - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 80.4 - - -

Thysanoessa raschii 0.2 4.6 34.8 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.7 53.7 - -

Decapoda - (<0.1) - - -

Decapoda larvae - <0.1 - - -

Decapoda unid. - <0.1 - - -

Crustacea larvae (<0.1) ----

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (2.6) (4.7) - -

OSTEICHTHYES - [<0.1] - - -

Pholis gunnellus - <0.1 - - -

ANIMAL REMAINS [37.7] [2.4] [2.8] [100.0] [97.7]

ROCK - [<0.1] - - -

 

Number sampled 10 91 22 6 10

Number empty 0 19 2 3 8

Mean stomach content (g) 0.923 0.603 0.326 0.001 0.009

Mean fish length (cm) 24 23 19 15 27

 
Page 62

Table B-18. Diet composition and sampling data for round herring by fish length category. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 Total

 

GASTROPODA - [<0.1] - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [80.6] [65.0] [57.7] [62.6]

Copepoda (26.4) (41.7) (1.6) (27.7)

Candacia armata - 0.3 - 0.2

Calanoida 26.4 10.4 - 6.9

Copepoda unid. - 31.0 1.6 20.6

Cirripedia larvae (cypris) - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Stomatopoda - (0.5) - (0.4)

Amphipoda - (0.6) (2.7) (1.3)

Hyperiidae - <0.1 - <0.1

Ampelisca sp. - - 0.1 <0.1

Byblis serrata - <0.1 0.2 0.1

Gammarus lawrencianus - 0.6 2.4 1.2

Mysidacea - (3.7) (15.6) (7.8)

Neomysis americana - 3.7 15.6 7.8

Mysidacea - <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda - (16.2) (31.0) (21.3)

Lucifer faxoni - 0.2 0.1 0.2

Decapoda larvae - 16.0 29.4 20.6

Shrimp - <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 1.5 0.5

Crustacea larvae - (0.2) (4.4) (1.6)

Crustacea unid. (54.2) (2.1) (2.4) (2.5)

OSTEICHTHYES - [27.9] [42.3] [32.8]

Pleuronectiformes - 0.8 - 0.5

Osteichthyes larvae - 11.8 - 7.7

Osteichthyes unid. - 15.3 42.3 24.6

ANIMAL REMAINS [19.4] [7.1] - [4.6]

 

Number sampled 12 81 5 98

Number empty 1 14 0 15

Mean stomach content (g) 0.006 0.113 0.978 0.144

Mean fish length (cm) 9 11 17 11

 
Page 63

Table B-19. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic argentine by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

HYDROZOA - - - [3.5] [2.7] - [1.2]

Siphonophora - - - 3.5 2.7 - 1.2

CTENOPHORA - [9.2] [0.9] - - - [1.8]

TREMATODA - - [<0.1] - - - [<0.1]

NEMATODA - [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [7.3] [0.6] - - - [1.4]

CEPHALOPODA - - - [1.4] - - [0.5]

POLYCHAETA [52.8] - [0.1] - - - [1.0]

Trochochaeta sp. - - 0.1 - - - 0.1

Polychaeta unid. 52.8 - - - - - 0.9

CRUSTACEA [40.5] [9.0] [86.3] [79.9] [85.0] [100.0] [72.4]

Copepoda - - - (1.1) (37.2) - (0.9)

Isopoda - - (0.2) - - - (0.1)

Amphipoda - (2.3) (2.3) (0.5) - - (1.8)

Hyperia glaba - 0.2 0.8 - - - 0.4

Hyperia sp. - - - 0.4 - - 0.1

Parathemisto gaudichaudii - - 0.4 - - - 0.2

Parathemisto sp. - 1.3 0.4 0.1 - - 0.5

Hyperiidae - 0.1 0.7 <0.1 - - 0.4

Gammaridea - 0.4 - - - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. - 0.3 - - - - 0.1

Euphausacea (40.5) (4.8) (77.9) (76.5) (47.8) (100.0) (65.8)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 40.5 4.8 77.9 75.6 47.8 100.0 65.5

Euphausacea unid. - - - 0.9 - - 0.3

Decapoda - (0.4) (2.6) (0.7) - - (1.6)

Shrimp unid. - - 2.6 - - - 1.3

Decapoda larvae - 0.4 <0.1 - - - 0.1

Decapoda unid. - - - 0.7 - - 0.2

Crustacea unid. - (1.5) (3.3) (1.1) - - (2.2)

THALIACEA - - - [2.6] - - [0.8]

Salpidae - - - 2.6 - - 0.8

OSTEICHTHYES - [41.2] [4.8] [5.6] - - [10.3]

Maurolicus muelleri - - - 4.2 - - 1.4

Osteichthyes unid. - 41.2 4.8 1.4 - - 8.9

ANIMAL REMAINS - [33.3] [7.3] [7.0] [12.3] - [10.5]

ROCK [6.7] - - - - - [0.1]

 

Number sampled 4 24 54 69 27 6 184

Number empty 2 6 24 49 22 5 108

Mean stomach content (g) 0.126 0.178 0.266 0.137 0.015 0.027 0.158

Mean fish length (cm) 18 23 28 33 38 41 31

 
Page 64

Table B-20. Diet composition and sampling data for cusk by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <51 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 Total

 

TREMATODA - - [<0.1] [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA - - [0.1] [1.0] - - [0.1]

Cephalopoda - - - 1.0 - - 0.1

Mollusca unid. - - 0.1 - - - <0.1

ANNELIDA [14.9] - [<0.1] - - - [2.2]

Onuphidae 0.3 - - - - - <0.1

Polychaeta - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Annelida unid. 14.6 - - - - - 2.2

CRUSTACEA [85.1] [100.0] [3.9] [46.1] [40.7] [89.4] [51.4]

Isopoda - - - - (6.1) - (0.4)

Cirolana sp. - - - - 6.1 - 0.4

Amphipoda (2.1) - - - - - (0.3)

Caprellidae 2.0 - - - - - 0.3

Gammaridea 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea (1.9) (100.0) (0.9) (9.4) - - (1.8)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 1.9 - - 9.4 - - 1.0

Euphausiacea unid. - 100.0 0.9 - - - 0.8

Decapoda (77.1) - (3.0) (36.7) (27.0) (89.4) (47.7)

Spirontocaris liljeborgii - - 3.0 - - - 1.1

Hippolytidae - - - 36.7 - - 2.7

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - - 25.2 8.6

Pandalidae - - - - 27.0 - 1.9

Crangon septemspinosa 31.9 - - - - - 4.8

Paguridae 45.2 - - - - - 6.8

Majidae - - - - - 64.2 21.8

Crustacea unid. (4.0) - - - (7.6) - (1.2)

ECHINODERMATA - - [37.5] - [20.1] - [15.0]

Ophiura sarsi - - 37.5 - - - 13.6

Ophiura sp. - - - - 20.1 - 1.4

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] - [42.6] [<0.1] - - [15.5]

Artediellus uncinatus - - 26.7 - - - 9.7

Osteichthyes scales <0.1 - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - 15.9 - - - 5.8

ANIMAL REMAINS - - [8.2] [25.8] [39.2] [10.6] [11.0]

ROCK - - [7.7] [27.1] - - [4.8]

 

Number sampled 9 6 9 8 11 6 49

Number empty 5 5 4 5 5 3 27

Mean stomach content (g) 0.385 0.016 0.925 0.210 0.148 1.307 0.470

Mean fish length (cm) 43 58 63 72 85 96 69

 
Page 65

Table B-21a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic cod by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 >80 Total

 

CNIDARIA - - - [2.4] [<0.1] [1.7] [0.2] [0.3] - [0.2]

MOLLUSCA - [18.4] [<0.1] [2.8] [5.6] [9.5] [23.3] [40.2] [10.7] [14.9]

Pectinidae - (17.9) - - (1.1) (<0.1) (0.5) (3.2) - (0.6)

Cephalopoda - - - - - (4.6) (19.7) (32.7) (9.8) (12.5)

Illex illecebrosus - - - - - - 7.1 14.5 8.8 2.4

Loligo sp. - - - - - - - 11.1 0.9 1.9

Cephalopoda unid. - - - - - 4.6 12.6 7.1 0.1 8.2

Mollusca unid. - (0.5) (<0.1) (2.8) (4.5) (4.9) (3.1) (4.3) (0.9) (1.8)

POLYCHAETA [0.5] [0.7] [10.4] [2.4] [2.7] [0.8] [1.3] [0.3] [2.3] [2.5]

CRUSTACEA [92.9] [80.6] [43.2] [45.1] [49.3] [41.8] [30.3] [35.2] [12.8] [21.1]

Amphipoda (6.4) (26.2) (20.6) (4.8) (3.3) (2.7) (1.5) (1.0) (0.4) (1.2)

Aeginina longicornis - - 5.3 0.1 - <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Unciola irrorata - 8.0 3.9 1.1 0.9 <0.1 <0.1 0.7 <0.1 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis 0.3 15.4 5.4 1.2 1.1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. 6.1 2.8 6.0 2.4 1.3 2.5 1.5 0.3 0.4 0.8

Mysidacea (79.6) - (0.6) - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - - (0.1)

Euphausiacea (0.4) (4.3) (<0.1) (2.4) (6.3) (6.4) (2.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.9)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 0.4 4.3 <0.1 2.4 6.3 6.4 2.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.9

Decapoda (2.7) (34.5) (19.4) (34.3) (32.9) (30.2) (23.8) (32.2) (12.2) (17.8)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 0.6 - 1.2 1.8 4.8 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.5

Pandalus borealis - - - 0.3 1.3 2.1 2.9 0.6 <0.1 0.5

Crangon septemspinosa 0.1 7.3 10.6 6.0 1.0 0.6 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3

Pagurus spp. - - 0.6 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.3 1.2 0.2 0.8

Hyas spp. - 25.1 2.8 2.8 6.1 2.8 3.1 6.1 0.2 1.6

Cancer borealis - - - 1.3 3.6 8.4 5.1 6.9 3.5 4.3

Cancer irroratus - - 2.0 7.2 9.2 9.2 7.0 6.7 5.6 6.2

Decapoda unid. 2.0 2.1 2.2 12.0 4.1 3.6 2.9 10.0 2.5 3.6

Crustacea unid. (3.8) (15.6) (2.6) (3.6) (6.8) (2.5) (2.9) (2.0) (0.2) (1.1)

ECHINODERMATA - - [1.9] [0.6] [5.5] [4.4] [1.7] [2.2] [0.3] [1.1]

CHORDATA - - [40.2] [39.3] [24.8] [36.4] [38.8] [20.1] [70.3] [56.8]

Squalus acanthias - - - - - - - - 6.9 4.6

Clupeidae - - - - - - 4.4 9.7 6.5 5.9

Gadus morhua - - - - - - - - 6.2 4.1

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 17.2 - 4.1 - - 6.2 4.7

Gadidae - - - - 0.8 15.0 0.3 - - 1.2

Ammodytes dubius - - - 10.8 11.1 7.2 16.9 4.4 13.0 11.5

Macrozoarces americanus - - - - - - - - 3.9 2.6

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - - - - 3.7 1.0 2.4 2.0

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - 0.4 - - - - - - <0.1

Pleuronectes americanus - - - 0.2 - - - - 1.7 1.1

Fish eggs and larvae - - <0.1 <0.1 0.8 <0.1 - - 0.2 0.2

Chordata unid. - - 39.8 11.1 12.1 10.1 13.5 5.0 23.3 18.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [6.6] [0.3] [4.3] [7.4] [12.1] [5.4] [4.4] [1.7] [3.6] [3.4]

 

Number sampled 134 14 81 73 78 109 86 52 91 718

Number empty 8 1 4 1 2 5 4 4 4 33

Mean stomach content (g) 0.096 0.781 2.406 3.302 5.888 12.096 15.733 39.021 120.157 23.056

Mean fish length (cm) 5 18 25 35 45 55 65 75 95 46

 
Page 66

Table B-21b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic cod by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA - [<0.1] [1.1] - - [0.2]

MOLLUSCA - [0.2] [11.0] [43.6] - [3.7]

Pectinidae - (<0.1) (3.7) - - (0.5)

Cephalopoda - (<0.1) (1.6) (43.6) - (<0.1)

Illex sp. - - - 29.2 - -

Loligo sp. - - - 6.9 - -

Cephalopoda unid. - <0.1 1.6 7.5 - <0.1

Mollusca unid. - (0.2) (5.7) (<0.1) - (3.2)

POLYCHAETA [1.1] [5.4] [2.4] [0.1] [<0.1] [1.9]

CRUSTACEA [24.3] [19.2] [39.5] [9.3] [31.1] [24.7]

Amphipoda (<0.1) (0.5) (2.3) (0.5) (<0.1) (1.6)

Unciola irrorata - 0.4 0.1 0.2 - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - <0.1 <0.1 0.3 - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 0.1 2.2 <0.1 <0.1 1.5

Mysidacea - (0.2) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - (<0.1) (<0.1) (3.1) (2.2) (0.2)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - <0.1 <0.1 3.1 2.2 0.2

Decapoda (24.3) (17.9) (34.1) (5.5) (10.0) (21.6)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.3 2.3 <0.1 1.6 0.3

Pandalus borealis - - - 1.2 3.1 0.7

Crangon septemspinosa - 0.2 0.1 <0.1 - 0.9

Pagurus spp. - 0.5 3.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Hyas spp. - <0.1 8.2 <0.1 - 1.7

Cancer borealis - 9.6 2.8 - - 4.0

Cancer irroratus 17.4 5.5 14.7 <0.1 - 9.0

Decapoda unid. 6.9 1.8 2.9 4.3 5.3 4.8

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (0.6) (3.1) (0.2) (18.9) (1.3)

ECHINODERMATA - [0.5] [1.5] [0.4] [49.7] [2.0]

CHORDATA [74.2] [71.9] [40.3] [43.8] [4.0] [61.4]

Squalus acanthias - 15.8 - - - -

Clupeidae - - - 15.3 - 5.4

Gadus morhua - 14.1 - - - -

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 16.8 - -

Gadidae - - 0.2 - - 4.2

Ammodytes dubius - 17.8 7.4 - - 18.4

Macrozoarces americanus - 7.1 - - - 1.7

Scophthalmus aquosus - 1.5 - - - 5.4

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - - - <0.1

Pleuronectes americanus - - - - - 3.9

Fish eggs and larvae - - <0.1 0.5 - <0.1

Chordata unid. 74.2 15.6 32.7 11.2 4.0 22.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.4] [2.8] [4.2] [2.8] [15.2] [6.1]

 

Number sampled 6 142 179 130 12 250

Number empty 1 5 7 10 0 11

Mean stomach content (g) 15.969 33.870 11.999 35.706 1.767 19.350

Mean fish length (cm) 21 45 40 59 26 46

 
Page 67

Table B-22a. Diet composition and sampling data for haddock by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 Total

 

CNIDARIA [2.9] - [<0.1] [<0.1] - [0.2] [<0.1] - - [0.7]

MOLLUSCA - [3.4] [0.7] [8.1] [4.4] [5.9] [1.5] [5.0] [<0.1] [4.3]

Gastropoda - - - (2.7) (0.4) (<0.1) - - - (0.4)

Bivalvia - (3.1) (0.7) (5.3) (2.4) (4.6) (1.0) (0.3) (<0.1) (2.4)

Cephalopoda - - - (<0.1) (1.5) (0.3) - (4.7) - (1.1)

Mollusca unid. - (0.3) - (0.1) (0.1) (1.0) (0.5) (<0.1) - (0.4)

POLYCHAETA [0.9] [20.2] [7.1] [14.1] [17.0] [24.5] [4.7] [8.0] [<0.1] [14.1]

Nephtyidae - 2.7 <0.1 <0.1 2.1 0.3 0.4 0.6 <0.1 0.6

Spionidae - 0.5 0.3 1.4 1.2 2.0 <0.1 0.3 - 0.8

Polychaeta unid. 0.9 17.0 6.8 12.7 13.7 22.2 4.3 7.1 <0.1 12.7

CRUSTACEA [56.3] [47.1] [11.3] [31.4] [27.4] [14.3] [13.7] [3.0] [61.3] [18.3]

Cumacea (4.0) (3.2) (0.4) (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1) - (0.1)

Amphipoda (31.6) (16.9) (6.0) (17.6) (8.8) (9.6) (6.0) (0.4) (<0.1) (6.7)

Parathemisto sp. 2.3 0.4 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 2.2 2.8 <0.1 <0.1 1.4

Hyperiidae 6.0 - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Ericthonius rubricornis 14.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Unciola irrorata 0.3 5.5 2.0 8.9 3.1 3.3 1.4 0.4 - 2.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - 5.2 1.2 0.6 0.4 2.3 0.5 <0.1 - 1.0

Amphipoda unid. 8.7 5.6 2.5 7.9 5.0 1.8 1.3 <0.1 <0.1 2.1

Mysidacea - (14.7) - - - - - - - (0.1)

Euphausacea - - (0.6) (6.3) (13.4) (0.8) (6.1) (0.1) (61.3) (8.0)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 0.6 6.3 13.4 0.8 6.1 0.1 61.3 8.0

Decapoda (0.9) (4.2) (3.4) (6.4) (3.7) (3.6) (1.4) (2.1) - (2.9)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.5 2.5 0.5 0.7 0.3 <0.1 - - 0.3

Crangon septemspinosa - 2.3 0.9 0.9 0.6 <0.1 - <0.1 - 0.2

Decapoda unid. 0.9 1.4 <0.1 5.0 2.4 3.3 1.4 2.1 - 2.4

Crustacea unid. (19.8) (8.1) (0.9) (0.9) (1.5) (0.3) (0.2) (0.4) - (0.5)

ECHINODERMATA - [0.7] [4.4] [18.4] [28.5] [32.5] [57.4] [71.5] [34.2] [43.7]

Crinoidea - - - - (2.3) - (3.1) - - (1.0)

Holothuroidea - - - - (0.7) (1.0) (2.4) (0.6) - (1.1)

Echinoidea - (0.4) (<0.1) (2.7) (1.0) (2.0) (1.2) (2.6) - (1.5)

Ophiuroidea - (0.1) (2.6) (12.5) (22.0) (26.8) (47.1) (65.4) (33.7) (37.3)

Amphiura sp. - - - - - 1.8 - 10.0 - 2.4

Ophiopholis aculeata - - <0.1 5.9 6.9 6.5 19.5 2.5 - 8.3

Ophiura sarsi - - 1.0 3.5 8.8 8.5 14.5 27.0 33.4 14.7

Ophiura sp. - - 0.5 0.4 0.1 1.3 4.2 16.1 - 4.4

Ophiuroidea unid. - 0.1 1.1 2.7 6.2 8.7 8.9 9.8 0.3 7.5

Echinodermata unid. - (0.2) (1.8) (3.2) (2.5) (2.7) (3.6) (2.9) (0.5) (2.8)

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.6] [68.3] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - [3.0]

Ammodytes dubius - - 61.6 - - - - - - 2.6

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.6 6.7 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [27.3] [26.5] [7.3] [21.9] [17.9] [16.9] [20.8] [11.7] [4.4] [12.8]

SAND AND ROCK [12.6] [1.5] [0.9] [6.1] [4.8] [5.7] [1.9] [0.8] [0.1] [3.1]

 

Number sampled 11 124 77 117 157 251 144 60 9 950

Number empty 0 5 0 5 4 5 3 0 0 22

Mean stomach content (g) 0.032 0.128 2.023 1.473 2.254 4.382 6.582 11.203 30.498 3.887

Mean fish length (cm) 9 16 25 36 45 55 64 75 83 46

 
Page 68

Table B-22b. Diet composition and sampling data for haddock by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA - - [<0.1] [0.8] [0.7] [0.3]

MOLLUSCA - [0.2] [1.5] [3.3] [15.3] [3.8]

Gastropoda - - (<0.1) (0.2) (2.7) (0.3)

Bivalvia - (0.2) (1.3) (1.5) (10.0) (3.2)

Cephalopoda - - - (1.3) (1.9) -

Mollusca unid. - - (0.2) (0.3) (0.7) (0.3)

POLYCHAETA - [47.1] [18.6] [7.8] [29.4] [42.2]

Nephtyidae - 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 7.5

Spionidae - - 4.7 <0.1 0.9 0.7

Polychaeta unid. - 46.7 13.8 7.6 28.3 34.0

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [14.2] [22.3] [16.6] [12.7] [20.6]

Cumacea - (0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.3) (0.8)

Amphipoda (100.0) (5.6) (19.0) (3.9) (3.5) (8.5)

Parathemisto sp. 27.8 - - 1.9 0.7 <0.1

Ericthonius rubricornis - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.4

Unciola irrorata - 1.4 11.9 0.1 1.7 3.8

Leptocheirus pinguis - <0.1 1.6 0.9 <0.1 0.9

Amphipoda unid. 72.2 4.2 5.5 1.0 1.1 3.4

Mysidacea - (<0.1) (0.4) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1)

Euphausacea - - - (10.8) (0.5) -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - 10.8 0.5 -

Decapoda - (8.1) (2.2) (1.7) (7.0) (8.9)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 0.4 0.3 0.3 -

Crangon septemspinosa - 0.8 0.7 <0.1 0.3 0.9

Decapoda unid. - 7.3 1.1 1.4 6.4 8.0

Crustacea unid. - (0.4) (0.7) (0.2) (1.4) (2.4)

ECHINODERMATA - [13.3] [31.0] [50.1] [17.7] [17.1]

Crinoidea - - - (1.4) - -

Holothuroidea - - (<0.1) (1.3) (1.3) -

Echinoidea - - (0.6) (1.3) (5.7) (0.5)

Ophiuroidea - - (30.2) (42.6) (7.9) (10.4)

Amphiura sp. - - - 3.2 - -

Ophiopholis aculeata - - 4.3 10.0 3.8 2.4

Ophiura sarsi - - <0.1 19.6 1.2 8.0

Ophiura sp. - - 25.9 0.3 <0.1 -

Ophiuroidea unid. - - <0.1 9.5 2.9 <0.1

Echinodermata unid. - (13.3) (0.2) (3.5) (2.8) (6.2)

OSTEICHTHYES - [<0.1] [<0.1] [3.9] [<0.1] -

Ammodytes dubius - - - 3.5 - -

Osteichthyes unid. - <0.1 <0.1 0.4 <0.1 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [17.9] [14.6] [16.5] [18.2] [14.3]

SAND AND ROCK - [7.3] [12.0] [1.0] [6.0] [1.7]

 

Number sampled 1 12 139 578 157 63

Number empty 0 2 2 15 3 0

Mean stomach content (g) 0.018 1.681 4.222 4.699 1.728 1.559

Mean fish length (cm) 10 54 44 51 34 30

 
Page 69

Table B-23a. Diet composition and sampling data for silver hake by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 >45 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - - - - [3.4] - [0.1] [2.1] [14.4] [7.7]

Loligo sp. - - - - - - - 1.6 13.1 6.8

Cephalopoda unid. - - - - 3.4 - 0.1 0.5 1.3 0.9

CRUSTACEA [95.2] [92.2] [96.5] [63.2] [66.3] [66.6] [57.8] [26.0] [4.8] [28.6]

Cumacea (1.6) (0.8) (0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (5.9) (9.0) (8.2) (0.6) (1.9) (2.2) (0.4) (0.4) (<0.1) (0.7)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii 2.4 5.3 5.1 <0.1 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Parathemisto spp. 2.7 1.5 1.6 0.4 0.7 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1

Gammarus annulatus - <0.1 - - - 1.0 0.4 0.4 <0.1 0.2

Amphipoda unid. 0.8 2.2 1.5 0.2 0.7 1.0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3

Mysidacea (9.9) (4.0) (2.0) (0.3) (0.9) (1.4) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.2)

Mysis mixta 5.3 0.8 1.2 <0.1 - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Neomysis americana 3.7 2.7 0.7 <0.1 0.9 1.4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Mysidacea unid. 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Euphausiacea (66.9) (60.2) (67.9) (39.0) (48.2) (51.8) (46.0) (20.8) (3.7) (21.9)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 45.2 45.0 61.9 37.5 44.5 51.7 44.3 20.8 3.7 21.2

Nyctiphanes couchii 1.6 - - - - - 1.5 - - 0.2

Thysanoessa inermis 2.4 - 0.7 - - - - - - <0.1

Thysanoessa raschii 9.4 0.9 0.4 - - - - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea unid. 8.3 14.3 4.9 1.5 3.7 0.1 0.2 - - 0.5

Decapoda (4.9) (9.0) (15.3) (20.3) (13.4) (10.0) (11.0) (4.5) (0.9) (5.2)

Pasiphaea multidentata - - - - 1.2 1.3 3.8 - - 0.7

Penaeidae - - - 1.7 - - - - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 2.2 13.5 11.0 4.1 2.5 3.8 1.4 <0.1 1.7

Pandalus borealis - - 0.1 1.2 1.1 2.9 <0.1 0.3 0.2 0.5

Pandalus montagui - - - 2.8 0.7 <0.1 0.6 0.8 - 0.3

Pandalidae <0.1 1.2 1.3 0.9 0.8 0.3 <0.1 1.2 - 0.3

Crangon septemspinosa 4.6 4.1 0.3 1.9 2.8 2.0 2.6 0.8 0.8 1.4

Decapoda unid. 0.3 1.5 0.1 0.8 2.7 1.0 0.2 <0.1 - 0.3

Crustacea unid. (6.0) (9.2) (3.0) (3.0) (1.9) (1.2) (0.4) (0.3) (0.2) (0.6)

OSTEICHTHYES [2.5] [6.1] [2.6] [35.8] [29.6] [32.4] [41.6] [70.9] [80.6] [63.0]

Clupea harengus - - - - - 11.1 - 12.6 3.2 4.7

Etrumeus teres - - - 6.4 - - - - - 0.2

Clupeidae - - - - 4.0 - - 7.9 20.1 11.5

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.1

Merluccius bilinearis - - 0.3 0.9 5.8 2.1 3.1 9.4 10.2 7.5

Urophycis sp. - - - - - - 0.5 - <0.1 0.1

Ammodytes dubius - 0.7 - 24.5 18.6 4.3 11.8 22.7 7.0 10.5

Scomber scombrus - - - - - - 5.0 - - 0.7

Bothidae - - - - - - 3.4 - - 0.5

Osteichthyes eggs - - - - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 2.5 5.4 2.3 4.0 1.2 14.9 17.8 18.3 39.8 27.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.3] [1.7] [0.9] [1.0] [0.7] [1.0] [0.5] [1.0] [0.2] [0.7]

 

Number sampled 196 425 280 266 323 373 253 72 75 2263

Number empty 29 87 68 95 107 133 83 20 20 642

Mean stomach content (g) 0.045 0.109 0.251 0.495 0.819 1.574 3.048 11.004 36.325 2.385

Mean fish length (cm) 6 13 17 23 28 33 37 42 52 24

 
Page 70

Table B-23b. Diet composition and sampling data for silver hake by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA [17.0] [3.2] - - [3.5] [32.7]

Loligo sp. - 2.4 - - 3.3 29.7

Cephalopoda unid. 17.0 0.8 - - 0.2 3.0

CRUSTACEA [8.2] [6.8] [37.3] [48.7] [10.3] [15.2]

Cumacea (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.9) (1.3) (0.8) (0.5) (0.1) (1.1)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii <0.1 <0.1 - 0.3 <0.1 -

Parathemisto spp. <0.1 - - <0.1 <0.1 -

Gammarus annulatus - 0.7 - - - 0.8

Amphipoda unid. 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3

Mysidacea (<0.1) (0.5) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.9)

Mysis mixta - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Neomysis americana <0.1 0.5 - <0.1 <0.1 0.9

Mysidacea unid. - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Euphausiacea (4.4) (0.1) (30.3) (40.7) (8.1) (6.7)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 0.8 0.1 30.1 39.5 7.7 6.7

Nyctiphanes couchii - - - 0.5 - -

Thysanoessa inermis - - <0.1 <0.1 - -

Euphausiacea unid. 3.6 <0.1 0.2 0.7 0.4 <0.1

Decapoda (2.8) (4.5) (5.6) (6.8) (1.9) (5.5)

Pasiphaea multidentata 0.3 - - 1.8 - -

Penaeidae - - - - 0.2 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 2.0 3.8 2.2 1.1 0.5

Pandalus borealis - - <0.1 1.2 <0.1 -

Pandalus montagui - <0.1 - 0.6 0.2 -

Pandalidae - <0.1 <0.1 0.6 0.2 <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa 2.5 2.2 0.9 <0.1 <0.1 5.0

Decapoda unid. <0.1 0.3 0.9 0.4 0.2 <0.1

Crustacea unid. (0.1) (0.4) (0.6) (0.7) (0.2) (1.0)

OSTEICHTHYES [74.1] [88.9] [62.2] [50.2] [85.7] [51.6]

Clupea harengus - - - - 21.9 -

Etrumeus teres - - - - - 0.8

Clupeidae - - 62.2 17.9 - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - - 0.7

Merluccius bilinearis 6.6 15.5 - 8.2 7.3 5.0

Urophycis sp. - 0.1 - - - 0.3

Ammodytes dubius 56.3 3.3 - 9.4 - 28.7

Scomber scombrus - - - - 3.4 -

Bothidae - - - - - 2.4

Osteichthyes eggs - <0.1 - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 11.2 70.0 <0.1 14.7 53.1 13.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.7] [1.1] [0.5] [1.1] [0.5] [0.5]

 

Number sampled 76 176 196 1209 413 193

Number empty 32 74 57 293 129 57

Mean stomach content (g) 0.784 3.036 1.841 1.833 2.782 5.575

Mean fish length (cm) 24 28 29 23 23 27

 
Page 71

Table B-24a. Diet composition and sampling data for pollock by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <31 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 >90 Total

 

NEMATODA [0.3] - [2.8] [12.4] [0.1] [0.1] [0.1] [0.3] [0.3]

CHAETOGNATHA [42.8] - - - [<0.1] - - - [<0.1]

Sagitta elegans 21.2 - - - - - - - <0.1

Chaetognatha unid. 21.6 - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

CEPHALOPODA - [5.1] - - [44.5] [21.8] [1.2] [22.9] [23.5]

Illex sp. - - - - - 20.7 - - 0.9

Loligo sp. - - - - 43.8 - - 14.3 16.7

Octopoda - - - - - 1.1 - - 0.1

Cephalopoda unid. - 5.1 - - 0.7 - 1.2 8.6 5.8

CRUSTACEA [53.4] [84.8] [63.3] [20.9] [32.3] [17.9] [58.1] [8.3] [20.9]

Isopoda - - - - (<0.1) (0.6) - (<0.1) (<0.1)

Cirolana sp. - - - - <0.1 0.6 - <0.1 <0.1

Amphipoda (11.6) (0.1) (6.0) (1.5) (<0.1) (0.2) (0.5) (0.4) (0.3)

Hyperia sp. - - - - - - 0.3 - <0.1

Parathemisto sp. - - - - <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.4 0.3

Hyperiidae - - 3.6 - <0.1 - 0.1 - <0.1

Calliopius laeviusculus - - - - <0.1 0.2 - - <0.1

Ericthonius rubricornis 9.9 - - - - - - - <0.1

Lysianassidae - - - 1.5 - - - - <0.1

Monoculodes intermedius - - 1.4 - - - - - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - 0.1 0.9 - - - - - <0.1

Photis sp. 0.2 - - - - - - - <0.1

Caprellidae 0.5 - - - - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. 1.0 - 0.1 - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1 <0.1

Euphausacea (21.2) (83.4) (51.3) (10.4) (32.3) (3.8) (44.8) (7.6) (17.8)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 17.5 83.4 51.3 10.4 32.3 3.8 44.8 7.6 17.8

Euphausiacea unid. 3.7 - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda - - (6.0) (9.0) (<0.1) (12.1) (12.5) (0.3) (2.6)

Pasiphaeidae - - - - - 4.7 - - 0.2

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - - 6.7 0.7 0.3 0.6

Pandalus borealis - - - - - - 11.4 - 1.6

Crangon septemspinosa - - - 9.0 <0.1 0.7 - - 0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 6.0 - <0.1 - 0.4 - 0.1

Crustacea unid. (20.6) (1.3) - - - (1.2) (0.3) (<0.1) (0.2)

UROCHORDATA - - - - [0.6] [8.5] - - [0.5]

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - [22.0] [46.9] [38.3] [68.2] [54.1]

Myctophidae - - - - - 11.0 - - 0.5

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - 0.2 2.0 - - 0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 18.4 27.5 - 66.0 46.1

Anarhichadidae - - - - - - 9.0 - 1.2

Pholis gunnellus - - - - 0.7 - <0.1 - 0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - - - 2.7 6.4 29.3 2.2 6.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [3.5] [10.1] [33.9] [66.7] [0.5] [4.8] [2.3] [0.3] [0.7]

 

Number sampled 5 11 7 10 11 14 13 11 82

Number empty 0 2 0 3 3 1 0 1 10

Mean stomach content (g) 0.551 1.497 0.497 0.115 23.071 4.281 15.212 83.988 17.795

Mean fish length (cm) 23 34 48 56 65 74 85 98 65

 
Page 72

Table B-24b. Diet composition and sampling data for pollock by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

 North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

NEMATODA [0.5] [0.5] [<0.1] -

CHAETOGNATHA - [<0.1] [0.8] -

Sagitta elegans - - 0.4 -

Chaetognatha unid. - <0.1 0.4 -

CEPHALOPODA [5.9] [46.8] [80.9] -

Illex sp. 4.6 - - -

Loligo sp. - 28.9 80.9 -

Octopoda 0.3 - - -

Cephalopoda unid. 1.0 17.9 - -

CRUSTACEA [35.8] [44.5] [2.6] -

Isopoda (0.2) - - -

Cirolana sp. 0.2 - - -

Amphipoda (1.7) (0.1) (0.2) -

Hyperia sp. 0.2 - - -

Parathemisto sp. 1.5 <0.1 - -

Hyperiidae - 0.1 - -

Ericthonius rubricornis - - 0.2 -

Lysianassidae <0.1 - - -

Monoculodes intermedius <0.1 - - -

Leptocheirus pinguis <0.1 - - -

Photis sp. - - <0.1 -

Calliopius laeviusculus <0.1 - - -

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 - <0.1 -

Euphausacea (30.2) (38.9) (0.3) -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 30.2 38.9 0.3 -

Euphausiacea unid. - <0.1 <0.1 -

Decapoda (3.4) (5.2) (2.1) -

Pasiphaeidae - - 2.1 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 3.1 - - -

Pandalus borealis - 5.0 - -

Crangon septemspinosa 0.3 - - -

Decapoda unid. <0.1 0.2 - -

Crustacea unid. (0.3) (0.3) (<0.1) -

UROCHORDATA - [1.5] - -

OSTEICHTHYES [56.1] [4.9] [15.4] [100.0]

Myctophidae - - 4.8 -

Merluccius bilinearis - 0.4 - -

Ammodytes dubius 28.5 - - 100.0

Anarhichadidae <0.1 3.9 - -

Pholis gunnellus - 0.4 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 27.6 0.2 10.6 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.7] [1.8] [0.3] -

 

Number sampled 46 28 7 1

Number empty 6 4 0 0

Mean stomach content (g) 5.838 16.310 19.654 596.400

Mean fish length (cm) 62 72 48 106

 
Page 73

Table B-25a. Diet composition and sampling data for red hake by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 >45 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - [1.6] [<0.1] [0.9] [5.9] [16.5] [4.6] [8.4] [8.7]

Bivalvia - - 1.6 <0.1 0.8 0.3 5.3 0.3 2.6 2.1

Cephalopoda - - - - <0.1 5.6 10.8 1.3 5.8 5.7

Mollusca unid. - - - - 0.1 <0.1 0.4 3.0 <0.1 0.9

POLYCHAETA [0.3] [5.3] [0.7] [1.5] [3.6] [2.3] [2.3] [1.4] [3.0] [2.6]

CRUSTACEA [88.1] [81.6] [58.6] [74.6] [84.8] [69.7] [64.4] [66.1] [44.4] [63.3]

Amphipoda (55.6) (44.6) (35.4) (10.1) (15.3) (3.8) (2.4) (0.8) (0.4) (3.9)

Parathemisto sp. 4.0 - 3.1 1.6 0.9 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 - 0.3

Aeginina longicornis - 2.4 - 0.5 0.9 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Unciola inermis 1.6 0.5 - 0.6 0.8 0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Unciola irrorata 0.8 1.2 2.5 1.9 1.2 0.4 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 0.3

Leptocheirus pinguis 3.8 11.5 0.3 2.1 10.4 2.0 1.3 0.4 0.1 1.6

Pontogeneia inermis 35.0 21.9 25.4 0.7 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.4

Amphipoda unid. 10.4 7.1 4.1 2.7 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.9

Mysidacea (2.5) (3.4) (0.1) (0.6) (0.7) (<0.1) (0.1) (0.1) (<0.1) (0.2)

Neomysis americana 1.0 3.1 - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Mysidacea unid. 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.7 <0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.1 0.2

Euphausiacea (4.3) (1.1) (9.3) (15.4) (34.6) (32.2) (34.2) (40.0) (18.8) (30.4)

Meganyctiphanes norvegia 2.8 0.4 9.3 13.7 32.9 31.2 33.4 36.5 18.4 29.0

Euphausiacea unid. 1.5 0.7 - 1.7 1.7 1.0 0.8 3.5 0.4 1.4

Decapoda (15.8) (29.1) (8.8) (45.5) (29.7) (29.8) (24.9) (23.6) (22.8) (25.9)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 2.2 15.5 13.9 12.6 6.5 9.7 3.1 8.2

Pandalus borealis - - 0.2 1.6 - - 0.6 0.4 7.1 2.0

Pandalidae - - 1.1 0.7 2.0 2.5 1.3 2.9 0.8 1.8

Crangon septemspinosa 2.1 8.8 3.3 23.4 3.4 2.5 1.6 2.6 1.4 2.7

Crangonidae 1.7 <0.1 - 0.5 1.9 0.6 0.2 <0.1 0.1 0.3

Axiidae - - - - 3.9 <0.1 0.9 1.0 0.4 0.9

Paguridae <0.1 19.4 0.2 <0.1 0.5 4.2 1.8 1.5 2.2 2.1

Cancer irroratus - - - 1.7 1.5 4.9 6.0 5.0 4.9 4.8

Cancridae 0.3 - - 1.3 <0.1 0.1 2.6 0.1 1.6 1.1

Decapoda unid. 11.7 0.9 1.8 0.8 2.6 2.4 3.4 0.4 1.2 2.0

Crustacea unid. (9.9) (3.4) (5.0) (3.0) (4.5) (3.9) (2.8) (1.6) (2.4) (2.9)

CHONDRICHTHYES - - - - - - - - [1.1] [0.3]

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] [9.7] [37.6] [21.5] [7.2] [17.2] [11.1] [24.3] [34.9] [21.4]

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - - - - - - - 0.3 4.3 1.1

Merluccius bilinearis - - 30.7 19.7 1.0 4.7 - - 16.7 5.9

Gadidae - - - - - 1.4 4.7 2.9 - 2.0

Ammodytes dubius - - 1.8 - 6.0 6.2 2.0 1.2 2.4 2.9

Scomber scombrus - - - - - - 0.6 - 0.6 0.3

Triglidae - 8.3 - - - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - 2.6 - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. <0.1 1.4 2.5 1.8 0.2 4.9 3.8 19.9 10.9 9.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [11.6] [3.4] [1.5] [2.4] [3.5] [4.9] [5.7] [3.6] [8.2] [3.7]

 

Number sampled 103 48 55 88 216 346 344 173 109 1482

Number empty 11 13 16 15 39 92 79 50 18 333

Mean stomach content (g) 0.035 0.214 0.555 0.954 0.865 1.596 2.060 3.881 5.505 1.921

Mean fish length (cm) 6 12 18 23 28 33 37 42 49 32

 
Page 74

Table B-25b. Diet composition and sampling data for red hake by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [3.4] [30.1] [11.2] [3.8] [23.6] [0.5]

Bivalvia 3.4 <0.1 2.6 2.4 <0.1 <0.1

Cephalopoda - 30.1 6.2 1.4 23.6 0.5

Mollusca unid. - <0.1 2.4 <0.1 - <0.1

POLYCHAETA [0.6] [1.8] [0.6] [2.4] [1.2] [9.4]

CRUSTACEA [42.6] [32.4] [71.9] [66.0] [42.0] [33.3]

Amphipoda (0.4) (3.8) (6.8) (1.5) (2.3) (1.1)

Parathemisto sp. - - <0.1 0.6 - -

Aeginina longicornis - 1.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 0.2

Unciola inermis - - 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 -

Unciola irrorata <0.1 0.2 0.9 <0.1 0.2 <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - 0.4 4.4 0.1 1.4 0.2

Pontogeneia inermis - - 0.3 0.6 - -

Amphipoda unid. 0.4 1.7 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.7

Mysidacea (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.3) (<0.1) (0.5)

Neomysis americana <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Mysidacea unid. - <0.1 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 0.3

Euphausiacea - - (27.7) (42.8) (7.6) (<0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegia - - 27.6 40.0 7.6 -

Euphausiacea unid. - - 0.1 2.8 <0.1 <0.1

Decapoda (41.0) (25.5) (33.3) (19.3) (30.3) (29.0)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 1.6 3.8 9.4 7.8 8.0 11.8

Pandalus borealis - - - 4.0 1.4 -

Pandalidae - <0.1 0.6 2.6 4.4 0.2

Crangon septemspinosa 4.3 0.9 3.9 0.8 4.4 11.7

Crangonidae - <0.1 0.3 0.4 - 0.2

Axiidae - 3.1 1.1 0.5 1.9 0.1

Paguridae - <0.1 5.7 0.5 2.4 <0.1

Cancer irroratus 33.5 2.3 10.1 0.7 5.6 3.7

Cancridae - 15.3 0.8 0.2 - -

Decapoda unid. 1.6 0.1 1.4 1.8 2.2 1.3

Crustacea unid. (1.2) (3.1) (4.1) (2.1) (1.8) (2.7)

CHONDRICHTHYES - - [0.8] - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [51.9] [31.5] [8.9] [22.6] [30.9] [51.3]

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - - - 2.1 0.9 -

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 10.1 1.0 16.0

Gadidae - 21.9 2.9 - - -

Ammodytes dubius 33.5 - 3.6 1.4 7.0 -

Scomber scombrus - - - - - 5.1

Triglidae - - - <0.1 - -

Osteichthyes larvae - - - <0.1 0.2 -

Osteichthyes unid. 18.4 9.6 2.4 9.0 21.8 30.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.5] [4.2] [6.6] [5.2] [2.3] [5.5]

 

Number sampled 5 97 521 681 87 94

Number empty 2 23 69 192 25 23

Mean stomach content (g) 10.429 1.553 1.818 2.164 2.226 1.735

Mean fish length (cm) 34 31 29 34 32 32

 
Page 75

Table B-26. Diet composition and sampling data for spotted hake by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 >25 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [14.7] [15.6] [2.6] [43.2] [30.9]

Bivalvia - (14.7) (15.5) - - (5.7)

Ensis directus - - 0.2 - - 0.1

Solenidae - - 1.1 - - 0.4

Bivalvia unid. - 14.7 14.2 - - 5.2

Cephalopoda - - - - (43.2) (25.0)

Mollusca unid. - - (0.1) (2.6) - (0.2)

POLYCHAETA - [3.2] [2.1] - - [0.9]

Maldanidae - - 0.6 - - 0.2

Pherusa affinis - - 1.5 - - 0.5

Polychaeta unid. - 3.2 <0.1 - - 0.2

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [65.2] [63.7] [83.4] [0.2] [28.3]

Cumacea - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Pseudoleptocuma minor - <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Isopoda - (<0.1) - - - (<0.1)

Edotea sp. - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Amphipoda - (1.2) (45.5) (24.4) - (16.0)

Parathemisto sp. - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Ampelisca verrilli - - 40.5 23.0 - 14.2

Ampelisca declivitatis - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Byblis serrata - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Unciola irrorata - 0.1 5.0 - - 1.6

Synchelidium americanum - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Rhepoxynius epistomus - 1.1 - - - 0.1

Aeginina longicornis - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Gammaridea - - - 1.4 - 0.1

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Decapoda (100.0) (64.0) (17.6) (57.5) - (11.9)

Crangon septemspinosa 16.1 1.3 0.8 0.9 - 0.4

Cancer irroratus - 0.3 14.2 56.0 - 7.9

Cancer sp. 83.9 11.2 - - - 0.5

Cancridae - 0.5 - - - <0.1

Crab unid. - - - 0.6 - <0.1

Decapoda larvae - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - 50.7 2.6 - - 3.1

Crustacea unid. - - (0.6) (1.5) (0.2) (0.4)

OSTEICHTHYES - - [18.1] [14.0] [56.6] [39.1]

Ophidiidae - - - - 56.6 32.6

Ammodytes dubius - - 13.9 - - 4.4

Pleuronectiformes - - 0.4 - - 0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - 3.8 14.0 - 2.0

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [16.9] [0.5] - - [0.8]

 

Number sampled 1 22 16 5 3 47

Number empty 0 4 1 1 0 6

Mean stomach content (g) 0.031 0.190 1.805 1.111 17.573 1.944

Mean fish length (cm) 9 13 18 22 32 17

 
Page 76

Table B-27a. Diet composition and sampling data for white hake by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <11 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 >80 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - - - [0.8] [15.4] [2.0] [25.0] [63.7] [1.3] [21.4]

Illex sp. - - - - - - 20.5 63.1 - 16.5

Loligo pealeii - - - - 6.3 - - - - 1.0

Cephalopoda unid. - - - 0.8 9.1 2.0 4.5 0.6 1.3 3.9

POLYCHAETA - [5.2] [1.1] [1.1] [<0.1] - - - - [0.1]

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [81.9] [93.7] [64.8] [27.8] [45.8] [2.8] [25.8] [5.5] [20.6]

Calanoida (16.4) (0.8) - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Isopoda - (1.7) (0.2) (<0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.3) (28.1) (4.5) (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (0.1)

Unciola irrorata - 0.6 1.3 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Anonyx sarsi - 5.5 - - - - - - - <0.1

Hippomedon serratus - 2.0 - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - - 2.4 0.1 - <0.1 - - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. 0.3 20.0 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1 - - <0.1

Mysidacea (1.0) (<0.1) - (1.9) (<0.1) - - (2.5) - (0.4)

Mysidopsis bigelowi 1.0 <0.1 - - - - - - - <0.1

Mysidacea unid. - - - 1.9 <0.1 - - 2.5 - 0.4

Euphausiacea - - (13.8) (36.9) (19.9) (26.4) (1.4) (17.8) (5.5) (12.2)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 7.6 35.7 18.0 23.8 1.4 17.8 3.8 11.3

Euphausiacea unid. - - 6.2 1.2 1.9 2.6 <0.1 - 1.7 0.9

Decapoda (82.3) (40.9) (73.4) (22.4) (7.5) (16.2) (1.3) (4.9) - (7.1)

Pasiphaeidae - - - - 0.4 - - 4.4 - 0.5

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 53.0 10.8 4.9 9.9 0.6 - - 3.9

Pandalus borealis - - 8.0 - - 4.1 0.3 - - 0.7

Pandalus montagui - - - 1.2 - - - - - 0.1

Pandalus sp. - - - 0.8 0.1 0.9 <0.1 - - 0.2

Pandalidae - - 0.7 - 0.6 1.1 - - - 0.2

Crangon septemspinosa 82.3 36.2 8.9 4.1 0.9 0.2 - - - 0.7

Axius serratus - - - 1.7 - - - - - 0.1

Paguridae - - 2.7 <0.1 0.3 - - <0.1 - <0.1

Cancer irroratus - - - 3.8 - - 0.4 - - 0.5

Cancridae - 1.9 - - - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - 2.8 0.1 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 - 0.5 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. - (10.4) (1.8) (3.4) (0.4) (3.2) (0.1) (0.6) (<0.1) (0.8)

OSTEICHTHYES - [4.8] [1.9] [30.8] [55.8] [50.9] [72.1] [9.1] [92.6] [57.1]

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 1.3 14.7 - - - 76.8 7.4

Urophycis chuss - - - - - - 19.5 - - 9.0

Urophycis tenuis - - - - 17.0 - - - - 2.6

Gadidae - - - 11.9 - 8.9 9.2 - - 6.2

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 0.5 3.0 - - - 0.4

Pleuronectiformes - - - 1.9 - - 2.4 - - 1.3

Osteichthyes unid. - 4.8 1.9 15.7 23.6 39.0 41.0 9.1 15.8 30.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [8.1] [3.3] [2.5] [1.0] [1.3] [0.1] [1.4] [0.6] [0.8]

 

Number sampled 9 14 42 79 69 28 21 12 9 283

Number empty 0 0 12 21 17 2 1 1 1 55

Mean stomach content (g) 0.035 0.208 1.416 3.670 7.844 13.439 77.570 32.290 25.716 12.431

Mean fish length (cm) 7 15 27 36 44 54 64 75 87 39

 
Page 77

Table B-27b. Diet composition and sampling data for white hake by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA - - [29.5] [40.1] -

Illex sp. - - 21.8 40.1 -

Loligo pealeii - - 1.5 - -

Cephalopoda unid. - - 6.2 - -

POLYCHAETA - [0.2] [<0.1] - [0.3]

CRUSTACEA [1.9] [42.8] [26.5] [7.7] [5.2]

Calanoida - (<0.1) - - -

Isopoda - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.3) (1.1) (<0.1) - (0.1)

Unciola irrorata - 0.2 - - 0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis <0.1 0.8 - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. 0.3 0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Mysidacea - (<0.1) (0.7) - (<0.1)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - <0.1 - - -

Mysidacea unid. - - 0.7 - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (0.5) (19.2) - (<0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 0.5 17.8 - <0.1

Euphausiacea unid. - <0.1 1.4 - -

Decapoda (1.6) (39.3) (5.4) (7.7) (5.1)

Pasiphaeidae - - <0.1 7.1 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 1.1 26.7 3.0 - 3.2

Pandalus borealis - - 1.1 - -

Pandalus montagui - - <0.1 - 0.4

Pandalus sp. - - 0.3 - -

Pandalidae - - 0.3 - <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa 0.5 9.6 <0.1 - 0.6

Axius serratus - - 0.2 - -

Paguridae - 0.1 0.2 - -

Cancer irroratus - 2.9 0.3 - 0.9

Cancridae - <0.1 - - -

Decapoda unid. <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.6 <0.1

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (1.9) (1.2) - (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [97.8] [55.2] [42.9] [51.0] [93.5]

Merluccius bilinearis - - 6.3 51.0 -

Urophycis chuss - - 14.4 - -

Urophycis tenuis - 51.9 - - -

Gadidae 13.9 - 1.6 - 23.1

Ammodytes dubius - - 0.6 - -

Pleuronectidae - - - - 0.9

Pleuronectiformes - - 1.8 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 83.9 3.3 18.2 - 69.5

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.3] [1.8] [1.1] [1.2] [1.0]

 

Number sampled 18 43 191 4 27

Number empty 6 2 45 1 1

Mean stomach content (g) 13.406 4.125 11.591 59.595 23.970

Mean fish length (cm) 44 24 46 63 39

 
Page 78

Table B-28a. Diet composition and sampling data for fawn cusk-eel by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

POLYCHAETA [18.8] [30.8] [24.1] [24.0] [25.7]

Ninoe nigripes - 8.8 - - 2.1

Nothria conchylega - 11.6 - 1.7 3.3

Aglaophamus sp. - 1.2 <0.1 14.0 4.3

Nephtys incisa - - - 6.4 1.8

Nephtyidae - 0.5 6.6 <0.1 3.3

Syllides sp. 18.8 - 0.2 - 0.1

Polychaeta unid. - 8.7 17.3 1.9 10.8

CRUSTACEA [6.3] [48.5] [54.4] [47.3] [51.2]

Stomatopoda - (4.8) - - (1.1)

Isopoda - - (3.1) (2.2) (2.1)

Cirolana sp. - - 3.1 2.2 2.1

Amphipoda (6.3) (26.2) (19.7) (24.6) (22.9)

Ampelisca agassizi - 0.3 3.3 4.4 2.9

Ampeliscidae - 1.6 <0.1 3.3 1.4

Unciola irrorata - 19.8 11.5 7.6 12.4

Unciola sp. 6.3 - 0.3 - 0.2

Casco bigelowi - - 0.2 3.3 1.0

Leptocheirus pinguis - 0.7 3.9 3.8 3.1

Amphipoda unid. - 3.8 0.5 2.2 1.9

Decapoda - (17.0) (30.5) (19.1) (23.9)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 2.2 - 1.0

Crangon septemspinosa - 6.6 10.9 14.5 10.9

Pontophilus brevirostris - - 2.6 - 1.2

Pontophilus norvegicus - - 5.7 - 2.7

Crangonidae - - 1.5 - 0.7

Munida iris - 4.3 - 0.7 1.2

Munida sp. - 2.9 1.7 - 1.5

Caridion gordoni - - 3.1 - 1.5

Pagurus sp. - - - 2.5 0.7

Cancridae - 1.4 2.1 0.5 1.5

Decapoda unid. - 1.8 0.7 0.9 1.0

Crustacea unid. - (0.5) (1.1) (1.4) (1.2)

ECHINODERMATA [74.9] [18.3] [7.3] [3.8] [9.2]

Echinoidea - - (0.3) (3.8) (1.2)

Ophiuroidea (74.9) (18.3) (7.0) - (8.0)

Axiognathus squamatus - 8.1 - - 2.0

Ophiuroidea unid. 74.9 10.2 7.0 - 6.0

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.6] [7.1] [22.3] [9.8]

Brosme brosme - - 4.3 - 2.0

Pleuronectiformes - - 2.8 14.7 5.5

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.6 - 7.6 2.3

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [1.8] [7.1] [2.6] [4.1]

 

Number sampled 4 65 69 27 165

Number empty 2 22 22 10 56

Mean stomach content (g) 0.004 0.018 0.034 0.052 0.030

Mean fish length (cm) 14 18 23 27 21

 
Page 79

Table B-28b. Diet composition and sampling data for fawn cusk-eel by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 Middle New Georges of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras

 

POLYCHAETA [46.4] [13.6] [26.3] [22.1]

Ninoe nigripes 7.6 - - -

Nothria conchylega 10.0 - 2.4 -

Aglaophamus sp. 1.0 8.1 - -

Nephtys incisa - - 9.1 -

Nephtyidae 10.6 0.5 - -

Polychaeta unid. 17.2 5.0 14.8 22.1

CRUSTACEA [48.5] [44.6] [65.0] [77.9]

Stomatopoda - - - (38.3)

Isopoda - - (10.4) -

Cirolana sp. - - 10.4 -

Amphipoda (29.0) (13.3) (35.4) (28.2)

Ampelisca agassizi 0.2 <0.1 14.1 -

Ampeliscidae - 0.3 4.0 12.8

Unciola irrorata 27.0 2.9 15.2 13.4

Unciola sp. 0.1 0.2 - -

Casco bigelowi - 2.1 - -

Leptocheirus pinguis 0.6 5.6 0.9 -

Amphipoda unid. 1.1 2.2 1.2 2.0

Decapoda (19.0) (30.1) (17.4) (11.4)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 5.3 -

Crangon septemspinosa 17.9 8.9 7.5 -

Pontophilus brevirostris - 2.5 - -

Pontophilus norvegicus - 5.5 - -

Crangonidae - 1.4 - -

Munida iris - 2.1 1.0 -

Munida sp. 0.9 2.5 - -

Caridion gordoni - 3.0 - -

Pagurus sp. - - 3.6 -

Cancridae - 2.3 - 11.4

Decapoda unid. 0.2 1.9 - -

Crustacea unid. (0.5) (1.2) (1.8) -

ECHINODERMATA [2.7] [17.0] - -

Echinoidea - (2.4) - -

Ophiuroidea (2.7) (14.6) - -

Axiognathus squamatus - 4.0 - -

Ophiuroidea unid. 2.7 10.6 - -

OSTEICHTHYES - [19.9] - -

Brosme brosme - 4.1 - -

Pleuronectiformes - 11.2 - -

Osteichthyes unid. - 4.6 - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.4] [4.9] [8.7] -

 

Number sampled 41 96 23 5

Number empty 11 33 11 1

Mean stomach content (g) 0.034 0.026 0.043 0.030

Mean fish length (cm) 19 21 25 18

 
Page 80

Table B-29a. Diet composition and sampling data for goosefish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage

of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 >90 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA [0.3] [3.3] [8.8] [27.3] [27.6] [40.5] [28.5] [28.2] [17.9] [24.9]

Illex sp. - - - 8.7 22.3 16.1 14.6 15.5 16.6 15.3

Loligo sp. - - - 3.6 1.0 5.5 - - 0.9 1.3

Cephalopoda unid. 0.3 3.3 8.8 15.0 4.3 18.9 13.9 12.7 0.4 8.3

CHONDRICHTHYES - - - [0.7] [3.7] [15.8] [8.7] [5.4] [10.3] [8.8]

Rajiformes - - - - 3.7 15.3 6.0 5.4 10.3 8.2

Squalus acanthias - - - 0.7 - 0.5 2.7 - - 0.6

OSTEICHTHYES [98.2] [96.2] [89.6] [71.9] [67.0] [42.6] [62.5] [62.5] [70.3] [65.1]

Alosa pseudoharengus - - - - 5.6 - - - 1.0 0.7

Clupea harengus - - - - - - - - 0.8 0.3

Clupeidae - - - - 1.9 - - 1.2 14.2 5.6

Enchelyopus cimbrius - 5.1 4.5 - 2.7 - - - - 0.4

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - - - - - - - 5.1 0.5 0.9

Merluccius bilinearis 15.0 34.6 - 14.7 14.3 7.8 3.4 4.0 2.5 5.4

Pollachius virens - - - - 3.5 - - - - 0.2

Urophycis chesteri - - - - 2.3 - 0.4 0.6 - 0.3

Urophycis chuss - - - - 0.2 <0.1 - - 4.8 1.9

Urophycis tenuis - - 0.3 - - - - - - <0.1

Urophycis sp. - 2.5 - - - - - - - 0.1

Gadidae - 3.7 1.6 2.5 <0.1 - 15.1 - 7.8 6.2

Macrouridae - - - - 1.2 - - - - 0.1

Lophiidae - - - - - - - - 4.0 1.6

Ammodytes dubius 24.2 - - 0.8 - 0.6 0.2 <0.1 - 0.2

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 1.8 1.7 0.9 2.0 - 0.8

Sebastes fasciatus - - - - - 3.0 - - - 0.4

Helicolenus dactylopterus - - - - - - - - 0.4 0.1

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps - - - - - - - - 0.7 0.3

Hemitripterus americanus - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.1

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - - - 7.7 1.7 2.4 - 0.9 1.5

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis - - - 1.2 - - - - - 0.1

Triglidae - - - - - - 0.9 3.6 - 0.7

Etropus microstomus - - - - - - - - 0.9 0.4

Paralichthys oblongus - - - - - - - 2.1 - 0.3

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - - - - - - 0.7 0.3

Bothidae - 1.2 - - 0.3 - 0.1 - - 0.1

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus - 4.9 - - - - 0.7 - 0.8 0.6

Hippoglossoides platessoides - - - - - - - 0.2 4.6 1.8

Pleuronectes ferruginus 0.4 - - - - - 1.1 - - 0.2

Pleuronectes americanus - 1.7 - 0.4 - - - - 1.3 0.5

Pleuronectiformes - 0.5 - 5.1 8.0 - - 10.8 - 2.2

Osteichthyes eggs - - - - - - - - <0.1 <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 58.6 42.0 83.2 47.2 17.5 27.8 37.3 32.9 24.1 30.8

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.5] [0.5] [1.6] [0.1] [1.7] [1.1] [0.3] [3.9] [1.5] [1.2]

 

Number sampled 51 78 102 107 104 122 119 86 103 872

Number empty 23 37 50 73 59 78 53 42 52 467

Mean stomach content (g) 3.530 14.086 13.209 19.862 32.999 60.421 92.943 90.873 209.566 66.524

Mean fish length (cm) 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 98 59

 
Page 81

Table B-29b. Diet composition and sampling data for goosefish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA - [22.7] [49.6] [14.6] [3.5] [53.3]

Illex sp. - 3.9 40.8 8.0 - 46.0

Loligo sp. - 0.9 3.3 - - 7.3

Cephalopoda unid. - 17.9 5.5 6.6 3.5 <0.1

CHONDRICHTHYES [3.0] [12.9] [21.2] [1.9] [5.3] -

Rajiformes - 10.2 21.2 1.9 5.3 -

Squalus acanthias 3.0 2.7 - - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [96.0] [63.2] [28.5] [81.1] [91.2] [46.6]

Alosa pseudoharengus - - - 1.8 - -

Clupea harengus - 1.3 - - - -

Clupeidae - 0.5 - 13.0 - 3.6

Enchelyopus cimbrius - - - 0.9 - -

Melanogrammus aeglefinus - - 1.0 0.4 5.9 -

Merluccius bilinearis - 14.4 0.5 4.9 - -

Pollachius virens - - 1.0 - - -

Urophycis chesteri - 1.4 - - - -

Urophycis chuss - - - 4.5 - 0.2

Urophycis tenuis - <0.1 - - - -

Gadidae - 0.4 5.0 2.8 42.7 7.3

Macrouridae - 0.3 - - - -

Lophiidae - - - - 18.7 -

Ammodytes dubius - 0.9 0.2 - - -

Peprilus triacanthus - 2.2 - 0.7 - -

Sebastes fasciatus - <0.1 - 0.9 - -

Helicolenus dactylopterus - 0.6 - - - -

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps - 1.3 - - - -

Hemitripterus americanus - 0.5 - - - -

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - 1.0 3.8 - 5.7 -

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis - - - 0.1 - -

Triglidae - 3.1 - - - -

Etropus microstomus - 1.6 - - - -

Paralichthys oblongus - - 0.8 0.3 - -

Scophthalmus aquosus - 1.1 - - - -

Bothidae 2.4 <0.1 - - - 0.6

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus - 1.9 - 0.3 - -

Hippoglossoides platessoides - - - 4.3 - -

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - <0.1 0.5 - -

Pleuronectes americanus - - - 1.2 0.6 -

Pleuronectiformes - 8.4 - 0.3 2.3 -

Osteichthyes eggs - <0.1 - - - -

Osteichthyes unid. 93.6 22.3 16.2 44.2 15.3 34.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.0] [1.2] [0.7] [2.4] [<0.1] [0.1]

 

Number sampled 26 362 91 316 51 25

Number empty 13 208 52 164 22 7

Mean stomach content (g) 18.339 34.587 133.825 74.414 91.418 106.507

Mean fish length (cm) 43 52 69 63 63 68

 
Page 82

Table B-30. Diet composition and sampling data for northern pipefish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major

taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 Total

 

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [100.0] [100.0] [100.0]

Amphipoda - - (27.3) (19.6)

Gammarus annulatus - - 12.1 8.7

Gammaridea - - 15.2 10.9

Mysidacea (100.0) (100.0) (72.7) (80.4)

Neomysis americana 100.0 100.0 72.7 80.4

 

Number sampled 8 17 13 38

Number empty 7 12 6 25

Mean stomach content (g) <0.001 0.001 0.003 0.001

Mean fish length (cm) 14 18 22 19

 
Page 83

Table B-31a. Diet composition and sampling data for blackbelly rosefish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

NEMATODA - - [<0.1] [0.8] - [0.1]

MOLLUSCA - [1.4] [5.4] - - [3.3]

Bivalvia - 1.4 - - - 0.3

Cephalopoda - - 5.4 - - 3.0

POLYCHAETA - [1.8] [3.1] [8.7] - [3.3]

Maldanidae - - 1.1 - - 0.6

Eunice sp. - - - 4.3 - 0.6

Onuphis sp. - 1.0 - - - 0.2

Ampharete arctica - 0.2 - - - 0.1

Terebellidae - - 1.8 - - 1.0

Polychaeta unid. - 0.6 0.2 4.4 - 0.8

CRUSTACEA [28.9] [87.2] [48.8] [23.7] - [52.1]

Cumacea - (<0.1) (0.1) - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (6.5) (5.2) (0.3) (<0.1) - (1.6)

Unciola inermis - 0.8 - - - 0.2

Unciola irrorata 5.0 0.6 0.3 - - 0.4

Unciola dissimilis - 1.6 <0.1 - - 0.4

Unciola sp. - 2.2 <0.1 - - 0.6

Amphipoda unid. 1.5 <0.1 - <0.1 - <0.1

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.1)

Euphausiacea - (2.3) (3.0) (0.9) - (2.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 2.3 0.3 0.9 - 0.8

Euphausiacea unid. - - 2.7 - - 1.5

Decapoda (7.5) (76.2) (44.7) (22.8) - (46.7)

Spirontocaris sp. - - 0.3 - - 0.2

Eualus pusiolus 7.5 - - - - 0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 38.5 28.8 - - 25.5

Pagurus sp. - 0.9 - - - 0.2

Munida sp. - - 1.4 - - 0.8

Caridion gordoni - 0.4 0.7 - - 0.5

Cancer irroratus - - 4.4 - - 2.5

Cancer sp. - 1.1 8.8 - - 5.2

Crab unid. - 12.0 0.3 - - 3.1

Shrimp unid. - 23.3 - 22.8 - 8.6

Crustacea unid. (14.9) (3.5) (0.7) - - (1.4)

ECHINODERMATA - - [1.3] - [13.7] [1.5]

Holothuroidea - - - - 13.7 0.8

Ophiuroidea - - 1.3 - - 0.7

SALPIDAE - [0.8] [30.1] [66.6] [86.3] [30.7]

Salpa fusiformis - - 2.8 57.0 86.3 13.9

Salpidae unid. - 0.8 27.3 9.6 - 16.8

OSTEICHTHYES [71.1] [5.6] [<0.1] [0.2] - [2.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.2] [11.3] - - [6.9]

 

Number sampled 8 26 33 10 3 80

Number empty 4 10 6 4 1 25

Mean stomach content (g) 0.025 0.181 0.333 0.251 0.375 0.244

Mean fish length (cm) 8 13 17 22 28 16

 
Page 84

Table B-31b. Diet composition and sampling data for blackbelly rosefish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Southern

 Middle New Georges Gulf of 

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine 

 

NEMATODA - - [0.2] -

MOLLUSCA - [2.7] [4.5] -

Bivalvia - 2.7 - -

Cephalopoda - - 4.5 -

POLYCHAETA - [11.2] [1.8] [15.8]

Maldanidae - - 0.9 -

Eunice sp. - - - 15.8

Onuphis sp. - 1.9 - -

Terebellidae - 8.1 - -

Polychaeta unid. - 1.2 0.9 -

CRUSTACEA [82.8] [53.0] [41.7] [84.2]

Cumacea (0.1) - (<0.1) -

Amphipoda (6.7) (0.3) (0.4) -

Unciola inermis 1.1 - - -

Unciola irrorata 0.4 - 0.4 -

Unciola dissimilis 2.2 0.2 - -

Unciola sp. 3.0 - <0.1 -

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 0.1 <0.1 -

Mysidacea - (0.1) (<0.1) -

Euphausiacea (2.8) (9.4) (1.0) -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 2.8 - 0.5 -

Euphausiacea unid. - 9.4 0.5 -

Decapoda (72.3) (39.1) (39.2) (84.2)

Spirontocaris sp. - - 0.3 -

Eualus pusiolus - - 0.1 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 38.1 -

Pagurus sp. - 1.8 - -

Munida sp. 4.5 - - -

Caridion gordoni - - 0.7 -

Cancer irroratus 5.9 11.7 - -

Cancer sp. 28.5 2.1 - -

Crab unid. 0.9 23.5 - -

Shrimp unid. 32.5 - - 84.2

Crustacea unid. (0.9) (4.1) (1.1) -

ECHINODERMATA [4.6] - [1.1] -

Holothuroidea 4.6 - - -

Ophiuroidea - - 1.1 -

SALPIDAE - - [45.7] -

Salpa fusiformis - - 20.7 -

Salpidae unid. - - 25.0 -

OSTEICHTHYES [10.1] [2.9] [0.6] -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.5] [30.2] [4.4] -

 

Number sampled 28 16 36 1

Number empty 12 4 10 0

Mean stomach content (g) 0.121 0.150 0.363 0.679

Mean fish length (cm) 15 15 17 21

 
Page 85

Table B-32a. Diet composition and sampling data for Acadian redfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

SIPHONOPHORA - - - - - [0.3] - [0.1]

NEMATODA - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1] - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - - [<0.1] - - [<0.1] - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA - - - [6.2] [<0.1] - - [0.7]

POLYCHAETA - - [0.5] - - - - [0.1]

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [100.0] [98.7] [92.4] [80.0] [99.5] [100.0] [91.3]

Copepoda - (62.7) (29.3) (10.0) (0.3) (1.0) - (5.9)

Calanus sp. - 62.7 29.3 10.0 0.3 1.0 - 5.9

Cumacea - - - - - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Diastylis sp. - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Amphipoda - (0.4) (0.8) (0.1) (1.4) (0.5) (42.9) (1.0)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii - 0.4 0.7 - 1.3 0.2 - 0.6

Parathemisto sp. - - 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2 38.9 0.2

Vibilia sp. - - - - - 0.1 - 0.1

Hyperiidae - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 <0.1 - 0.1

Oedicerotidae - - - - - <0.1 4.0 <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - - - 0.1 - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (32.3) (65.4) (81.0) (77.5) (90.8) (57.1) (80.7)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 32.3 64.0 78.3 76.9 90.3 57.1 79.9

Euphausiacea unid. - - 1.4 2.7 0.6 0.5 - 0.8

Decapoda - (4.1) (3.0) - (0.3) (6.6) - (3.1)

Spirontocaris liljeborgii - 4.1 - - - - - 0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 3.0 - - 0.5 - 0.5

Pandalidae - - - - - 0.8 - 0.3

Crangon septemspinosa - - - - - 4.8 - 1.9

Shrimp unid. - - - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Decapoda larvae - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - - - 0.3 0.3 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. (100.0) (0.5) (0.2) (1.3) (0.5) (0.6) - (0.6)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - [1.3] [19.5] [0.2] - [7.5]

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - 19.5 - - 7.3

Cryptacanthodes maculatus - - - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Sebastes fasciatus - - - 1.3 - - - 0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS - - [0.8] [0.1] [0.5] [<0.1] - [0.3]

 

Number sampled 4 14 45 55 77 63 8 266

Number empty 1 8 29 35 45 29 5 152

Mean stomach content (g) 0.038 0.306 0.439 0.374 0.939 1.216 0.062 0.730

Mean fish length (cm) 14 19 23 28 32 37 41 30

 
Page 86

Table B-32b. Diet composition and sampling data for Acadian redfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered

during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Georges Gulf of Scotian 

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf

 

SIPHONOPHORA - [0.2] -

NEMATODA - - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [<0.1] [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA - [1.4] [<0.1]

POLYCHAETA - - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [82.6] [99.4]

Copepoda (63.5) (0.8) (10.6)

Calanus sp. 63.5 0.8 10.6

Cumacea - - (<0.1)

Diastylis sp. - - <0.1

Amphipoda (18.6) (0.1) (1.6)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii 18.6 0.1 1.1

Parathemisto sp. - - 0.4

Vibilia sp. - - <0.1

Hyperiidae - <0.1 0.1

Oedicerotidae - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 -

Euphausiacea (12.8) (81.0) (80.6)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 12.8 80.7 79.2

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.3 1.4

Decapoda - (0.5) (5.6)

Spirontocaris liljeborgii - - 0.2

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 1.0

Pandalidae - - 0.6

Crangon septemspinosa - - 3.6

Shrimp unid. - - 0.2

Decapoda larvae - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - 0.5 -

Crustacea unid. (5.1) (0.2) (1.0)

OSTEICHTHYES - [15.6] [<0.1]

Merluccius bilinearis - 15.1 -

Cryptacanthodes maculatus - 0.2 -

Sebastes fasciatus - 0.3 -

Osteichthyes larvae - <0.1 <0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS - [0.2] [0.6]

 

Number sampled 3 86 177

Number empty 1 42 109

Mean stomach content (g) 0.052 1.088 0.567

Mean fish length (cm) 22 31 30

 
Page 87

Table B-33. Diet composition and sampling data for northern searobin by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [1.9] [2.5] [10.4] [3.9]

Bivalvia - (1.9) (2.5) (8.4) (3.4)

Solenidae - - - 6.0 1.2

Tellina agilis - 1.8 2.0 2.4 1.9

Bivalvia unid. - 0.1 0.5 - 0.3

Mollusca unid. - - (<0.1) (2.0) (0.5)

POLYCHAETA - [1.5] [26.7] [1.2] [15.2]

Nephtyidae - 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.4

Spionidae - - 22.1 - 12.1

Polychaeta unid. - 0.9 4.3 0.8 2.7

CRUSTACEA [87.8] [90.2] [45.8] [20.1] [51.5]

Cumacea - (10.8) (1.1) (0.2) (3.0)

Pseudoleptocuma minor - 0.5 - - 0.1

Oxyurostylis smithi - 10.3 0.9 - 2.6

Cumacea unid. - - 0.2 0.2 0.3

Isopoda - (1.0) (<0.1) - (0.3)

Edotea sp. - 1.0 <0.1 - 0.3

Amphipoda (3.7) (2.9) (8.3) (2.5) (5.9)

Ampelisca agassizi - - 0.2 - 0.1

Ampeliscidae 3.7 - 0.3 - 0.3

Ericthonius rubricornis - - 0.9 - 0.5

Unciola irrorata - 1.1 4.9 0.4 3.0

Protohaustorius wigleyi - - 0.2 0.6 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - - 0.7 - 0.4

Rhepoxynius epistomus - - - 1.3 0.3

Caprellidae - 0.5 0.9 - 0.6

Gammaridea - 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.5

Decapoda (16.9) (71.0) (33.8) (17.4) (37.3)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 4.6 - 2.5

Crangon septemspinosa 5.8 38.6 8.7 - 12.9

Cancer borealis - - 0.4 - 0.2

Cancer irroratus 7.8 27.9 16.1 17.4 18.5

Cancridae - 1.0 - - 0.2

Crab unid. 3.3 - 1.7 - 1.0

Decapoda larvae - 1.0 2.0 - 1.3

Decapoda unid. - 2.5 0.3 - 0.7

Crustacea unid. (67.2) (4.5) (2.6) - (5.0)

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.9] [2.1] [64.3] [14.7]

Paralichthys dentatus - - 0.8 - 0.4

Pleuronectiformes - 0.9 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. - - 1.3 64.3 14.1

ANIMAL REMAINS - [5.0] [9.5] [2.3] [6.4]

SAND AND ROCK [12.2] [0.5] [13.4] [1.7] [8.3]

 

Number sampled 7 11 19 4 41

Number empty 1 2 4 1 8

Mean stomach content (g) 0.057 0.192 0.299 0.537 0.252

Mean fish length (cm) 14 18 22 28 20

 
Page 88

Table B-34a. Diet composition and sampling data for sea raven by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 >45 Total

 

RHYNCHOCOELA - - - - - - - [0.1] - [<0.1]

MOLLUSCA [0.3] - - - [2.6] [9.2] - [<0.1] [<0.1] [1.6]

Bivalvia - - - - (2.6) (0.3) - - (<0.1) (0.2)

Anadara transversa - - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Clinocardium ciliatum - - - - - 0.3 - - - 0.1

Bivalvia unid. - - - - 2.6 - - - <0.1 0.1

Cephalopoda - - - - - (8.9) - (<0.1) - (1.4)

Illex sp. - - - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Cephalopoda unid. - - - - - 8.9 - - - 1.4

Mollusca unid. (0.3) - - - - - - - - (<0.1)

CRUSTACEA [99.7] [100.0] [11.7] [24.5] [28.5] [22.7] [23.6] [30.5] [22.9] [24.0]

Amphipoda (3.1) - (<0.1) - - - - - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - (43.2) - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Euphausia krohnii - 22.9 - - - - - - - <0.1

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - 20.3 - - - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda (96.6) (45.0) (10.3) (24.5) (28.5) (22.7) (23.6) (30.5) (22.9) (24.0)

Hippolytidae - - 0.7 - - - - - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 4.7 1.2 7.2 <0.1 0.6 - - 0.4

Pandalus borealis - - - - - - - - <0.1 0.1

Pandalus montagui - - - 2.1 - - - - - 0.1

Pandalidae - - - - 1.0 - - - - <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa 63.0 45.0 - 0.2 - - - - - <0.1

Pagurus sp. - - - - - - - - 0.1 <0.1

Hyas coarctatus - - - - - - - - 0.4 0.2

Cancer borealis - - - 17.2 - - 8.8 30.5 22.4 17.4

Cancer irroratus - - - 3.8 20.3 22.7 14.2 - - 5.8

Shrimp unid. 33.6 - - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 4.9 - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Crustacea unid. - (11.8) (1.4) - - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES - - [87.4] [75.5] [56.9] [67.4] [76.4] [69.4] [77.0] [73.8]

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - - 4.4 - - - 0.7

Gadidae - - - 11.4 - - - - - 0.4

Anarhichadidae - - - - - - - - 71.7 38.6

Liparis atlanticus - - 4.8 - - 0.6 - - - 0.1

Liparis liparis - - - - 0.6 - - - - <0.1

Ophidiidae - - - - - 7.5 13.6 - - 2.6

Pholis gunnellus - - 18.8 - - - - - - 0.2

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis - - - 33.0 - - - - - 1.1

Macrozoarces americanus - - - 3.3 - 17.1 - - - 2.8

Osteichthyes unid. - - 63.8 27.8 56.3 37.8 62.8 69.4 5.3 27.3

ANIMAL REMAINS - - [0.7] - [0.1] [<0.1] - [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.1]

ROCK AND SAND - - [0.2] [<0.1] [11.9] [0.7] [<0.1] - [0.1] [0.5]

 

Number sampled 4 7 18 22 17 34 20 8 16 146

Number empty 0 3 7 10 9 16 11 3 7 66

Mean stomach content (g) 0.080 0.077 0.867 2.899 3.433 9.030 10.564 31.104 65.994 13.436

Mean fish length (cm) 9 13 18 22 28 33 37 42 51 30

 
Page 89

Table B-34b. Diet composition and sampling data for sea raven by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

RHYNCHOCOELA - [<0.1] - - -

MOLLUSCA - [3.6] [0.8] - [<0.1]

Bivalvia - - (0.8) - (<0.1)

Anadara transversa - - <0.1 - -

Clinocardium ciliatum - - 0.3 - -

Bivalvia unid. - - 0.5 - <0.1

Cephalopoda - (3.6) - - (<0.1)

Illex sp. - - - - <0.1

Cephalopoda unid. - 3.6 - - -

Mollusca unid. - (<0.1) - - -

CRUSTACEA [64.8] [51.5] [1.5] [63.5] [8.4]

Amphipoda - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - (<0.1) - - -

Euphausia krohnii - <0.1 - - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - <0.1 - - -

Decapoda (64.8) (51.5) (1.5) (63.5) (8.4)

Hippolytidae - - - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 0.4 1.1 63.5 -

Pandalus borealis - - - - 0.1

Pandalus montagui - - - - 0.1

Pandalidae - - 0.2 - -

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 - - -

Pagurus sp. - - - - <0.1

Hyas coarctatus - - - - 0.5

Cancer borealis - 45.2 - - -

Cancer irroratus - 5.9 - - 7.7

Shrimp unid. 64.8 - <0.1 - -

Decapoda unid. - - 0.2 - <0.1

Crustacea unid. - (<0.1) - - -

OSTEICHTHYES - [44.2] [97.6] [36.5] [90.6]

Merluccius bilinearis - - 4.4 - -

Gadidae - 1.0 - - -

Anarhichadidae - - - - 84.5

Liparis atlanticus - 0.3 - - -

Liparis liparis - - - 36.5 -

Ophidiidae - 6.9 - - -

Pholis gunnellus - - - - 0.3

Lumpenus lumpretaeformis - - 6.8 - -

Macrozoarces americanus - 0.3 17.0 - -

Osteichthyes unid. - 35.7 69.4 - 5.8

ANIMAL REMAINS [19.4] [0.3] [0.1] - [0.2]

ROCK AND SAND [15.8] [0.4] [<0.1] - [0.8]

 

Number sampled 14 73 31 6 22

Number empty 12 27 13 4 10

Mean stomach content (g) 0.012 10.337 10.007 0.161 40.712

Mean fish length (cm) 26 29 33 25 34

 
Page 90

Table B-35a. Diet composition and sampling data for longhorn sculpin by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - - [1.6] [0.4] [<0.1] - [0.5]

Gastropoda - - - 0.7 0.1 - - 0.2

Mollusca unid. - - - 0.9 0.3 <0.1 - 0.3

POLYCHAETA [11.7] [23.4] [1.5] [1.0] [1.8] [3.3] - [2.1]

Aphroditidae - - - - 0.5 3.3 - 1.0

Polychaeta unid. 11.7 23.4 1.5 1.0 1.3 - - 1.1

CRUSTACEA [81.6] [68.8] [96.2] [93.2] [85.2] [63.9] [89.5] [82.4]

Isopoda - - - (0.3) (0.3) - - (0.2)

Cirolana polita - - - 0.3 0.3 - - 0.2

Amphipoda (53.3) (18.8) - (1.1) (2.0) (0.6) - (1.9)

Calliopius laeviusculus - - - - 1.1 - - 0.7

Ericthonius rubricornis 3.3 - - <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Unciola irrorata 8.3 - - 0.4 0.5 0.4 - 0.5

Lysianassidae - - - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Oedicerotidae - - - 0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - 17.2 - 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.1

Podoceridae 16.7 - - - - - - <0.1

Aeginina longicornis - - - - 0.3 - - 0.2

Caprellidae - - - <0.1 0.1 - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. 25.0 1.6 - 0.4 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Decapoda - (14.1) (96.2) (84.5) (80.2) (62.3) (89.5) (77.2)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 54.9 29.6 3.5 26.8 89.5 12.2

Crangon septemspinosa - - 11.0 5.3 3.6 6.5 - 4.5

Axius serratus - - - 5.5 - 1.2 - 0.9

Pagurus acadianus - - 6.1 1.6 10.9 1.3 - 7.7

Pagurus annulipes - - - - <0.1 3.0 - 0.7

Paguridae - - - - 4.0 - - 2.6

Hyas coarctatus - - - 0.4 1.9 5.5 - 2.4

Hyas sp. - - - - 1.1 0.3 - 0.8

Cancer irroratus - - 16.5 36.6 53.2 2.6 - 40.2

Cancridae - - - - 0.2 - - 0.2

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - 0.2 - - - <0.1

Crab unid. - - 7.7 1.4 0.2 4.0 - 1.2

Shrimp unid. - 14.1 - 3.9 1.6 10.2 - 3.6

Decapoda unid. - - - <0.1 <0.1 0.9 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. (28.3) (35.9) - (7.3) (2.7) (1.0) - (3.1)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - [7.3] [27.6] - [10.5]

Gadidae - - - - 0.2 - - 0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 19.5 - 4.0

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - - - 0.2 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. - - - - 6.9 8.1 - 6.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [5.0] [7.8] [2.3] [4.2] [3.9] [1.1] - [2.7]

SAND AND ROCK [1.7] - - [<0.1] [1.4] [4.1] [10.5] [1.8]

 

Number sampled 11 2 6 32 75 22 1 149

Number empty 3 0 2 3 13 4 0 25

Mean stomach content (g) 0.005 0.032 0.560 1.008 2.234 2.362 0.086 1.714

Mean fish length (cm) 8 11 20 24 28 32 37 26

 
Page 91

Table B-35b. Diet composition and sampling data for longhorn sculpin by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Southern

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf

 

MOLLUSCA [<0.1] [0.4] - [2.2]

Gastropoda - 0.1 - 2.2

Mollusca unid. <0.1 0.3 - -

POLYCHAETA [5.0] [1.1] [17.9] [2.5]

Aphroditidae 4.2 - 17.9 1.9

Polychaeta unid. 0.8 1.1 - 0.6

CRUSTACEA [91.4] [79.2] [79.4] [94.2]

Isopoda (0.1) (0.2) - -

Cirolana polita 0.1 0.2 - -

Amphipoda (1.9) (1.4) - -

Calliopius laeviusculus - 0.9 - -

Ericthonius rubricornis <0.1 <0.1 - -

Unciola irrorata 0.7 0.4 - -

Lysianassidae 0.1 <0.1 - -

Leptocheirus pinguis <0.1 <0.1 - -

Podoceridae - <0.1 - -

Aeginina longicornis 1.1 - - -

Caprellidae <0.1 <0.1 - -

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 0.1 - -

Decapoda (85.5) (74.9) (72.4) (94.2)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 41.3 5.9 - 28.0

Crangon septemspinosa 10.2 3.3 - 6.3

Axius serratus - 0.3 - 18.4

Pagurus acadianus 1.8 9.4 - 0.2

Pagurus annulipes - 0.8 - -

Paguridae 2.5 2.8 - -

Hyas coarctatus 4.0 2.3 - -

Hyas sp. 0.4 - 47.3 -

Cancer irroratus 5.9 47.9 - 39.8

Cancridae 1.0 - - -

Ovalipes ocellatus - <0.1 - -

Crab unid. 1.2 1.3 - 1.5

Shrimp unid. 17.2 0.7 25.1 -

Decapoda unid. <0.1 0.2 - -

Crustacea unid. (3.9) (2.7) (7.0) (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [1.0] [12.9] - -

Gadidae - 0.1 - -

Ammodytes dubius - 5.0 - -

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 1.0 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. - 7.8 - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.1] [4.4] [2.7] [0.3]

SAND AND ROCK [0.5] [2.0] - [0.8]

 

Number sampled 33 99 10 7

Number empty 7 11 5 2

Mean stomach content (g) 1.224 2.035 0.383 1.373

Mean fish length (cm) 28 25 28 22

 
Page 92

Table B-36. Diet composition and sampling data for moustache sculpin by fish length category. (Samples

gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight.

Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 Total

 

POLYCHAETA [31.9] [5.2] [16.1]

Rhodine sp. 1.5 - 0.6

Nothria conchylega - 1.2 0.7

Polychaeta unid. 30.4 4.0 14.8

CRUSTACEA [68.1] [93.8] [83.5]

Copepoda (0.1) - (0.1)

Calanus sp. 0.1 - 0.1

Cumacea (5.5) - (2.3)

Diastylis quadrispinosa 5.5 - 2.3

Amphipoda (14.7) (5.1) (9.1)

Haploops sp. 5.1 - 2.1

Ampeliscidae 2.4 - 1.0

Caprellidae - 0.3 0.2

Ericthonius sp. 0.9 0.7 0.8

Unciola irrorata 1.2 - 0.5

Corophiidae 0.5 - 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis 1.8 3.4 2.7

Podoceropsis nitida - 0.4 0.2

Dulichia sp. 0.1 - 0.1

Tironidae 1.9 - 0.8

Gammaridea 0.8 0.3 0.5

Decapoda (41.5) (86.1) (67.9)

Eualus pusiolus 4.9 - 2.0

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 24.0 - 9.9

Pandalus borealis 12.6 - 5.2

Pandalidae - 57.5 33.9

Crangon septemspinosa - 1.2 0.7

Crangonidae - 2.8 1.7

Shrimp unid. - 24.6 14.5

Crustacea unid. (6.3) (2.6) (4.1)

ROCK - [1.0] [0.4]

 

Number sampled 12 16 28

Number empty 1 1 2

Mean stomach content (g) 0.071 0.076 0.074

Mean fish length (cm) 8 12 10

 
Page 93

Table B-37a. Diet composition and sampling data for black sea bass by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 >40 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [0.5] [2.4] [6.7] [20.4] [9.2] [2.5] [10.5] [6.7] [10.2]

Bivalvia - (0.5) (1.8) (4.2) (7.4) (8.0) (1.1) (6.9) (1.3) (5.2)

Laevicardium sp. - - - 1.7 2.2 6.6 - - - 2.6

Ensis directus - - - - 0.3 - - 6.9 1.3 0.5

Bivalvia unid. - 0.5 1.8 2.5 4.9 1.4 1.1 - - 2.1

Cephalopoda - - - (1.0) (12.1) (0.6) (0.5) (3.3) (2.3) (3.8)

Loligo sp. - - - - 4.1 - - - 2.2 1.3

Cephalopoda unid. - - - 1.0 8.0 0.6 0.5 3.3 0.1 2.5

Mollusca unid. - - (0.6) (1.5) (0.9) (0.6) (0.9) (0.3) (3.1) (1.2)

POLYCHAETA - [5.8] [8.3] [0.2] [0.7] [0.2] [0.4] [<0.1] [9.6] [1.9]

CRUSTACEA [85.5] [91.5] [82.4] [76.3] [45.7] [57.8] [78.8] [45.7] [17.3] [54.5]

Amphipoda (43.6) (19.9) (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (7.5) - - (1.2)

Mysidacea (3.2) (4.2) - (1.1) (<0.1) (2.5) (<0.1) - - (0.9)

Euphausiacea - - (33.8) (34.2) (7.3) - - - - (6.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 33.8 34.2 7.3 - - - - 6.3

Decapoda (35.5) (44.2) (46.9) (40.3) (38.2) (54.9) (70.2) (45.7) (17.3) (45.6)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 7.2 - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa 14.5 19.4 0.1 <0.1 0.3 0.3 <0.1 - 0.1 0.2

Paguridae - 1.9 6.4 2.4 5.8 3.8 0.9 - 2.0 3.4

Munida sp. - 1.7 - 2.3 0.4 4.5 1.7 - - 1.9

Cancer borealis - - 1.8 - - <0.1 7.6 - - 1.2

Cancer irroratus - 10.2 23.8 19.6 17.5 40.4 37.2 45.7 7.6 27.0

Ovalipes sp. - - - - - - 15.2 - 4.8 3.0

Decapoda unid. 21.0 3.8 14.8 16.0 14.2 5.9 7.6 - 2.8 8.9

Crustacea unid. (3.2) (23.2) (1.4) (0.7) (0.2) (0.4) (1.1) - - (0.5)

OSTEICHTHYES - [1.8] [2.6] [8.4] [27.8] [25.0] [14.7] [43.5] [62.9] [28.5]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - - - - - - 0.3 0.1

Alepocephalidae - - - - - 2.0 - - - 0.6

Clupea harengus - - - - 2.3 - - - - 0.6

Anchoa hepsetus - - - 6.8 17.2 - - - 9.5 6.4

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - - - 9.6 - - 1.5

Engraulidae - - - - 3.7 - - - - 0.9

Cyprinodon variegatus - - - - - - - 30.4 - 1.3

Hippocampus sp. - - - - - - 1.9 - - 0.3

Syngnathus fuscus - - - - - - 3.0 - - 0.5

Myctophidae - - - - - 12.8 - - - 3.6

Ophidiidae - - - - - 2.1 - - - 0.6

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - - - - 20.6 3.0

Stenotomus chrysops - - - - - 3.7 - - 25.3 4.8

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - - - - - - 4.4 0.7

Osteichthyes larvae - - - - <0.1 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - 1.8 2.6 1.6 4.6 4.4 0.2 13.1 2.8 3.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [14.5] [0.4] [4.3] [8.4] [5.4] [7.8] [3.6] [0.3] [3.5] [4.9]

 

Number sampled 9 82 69 142 188 103 49 16 22 680

Number empty 1 11 19 36 64 30 18 11 5 195

Mean stomach content (g) 0.007 0.023 0.223 0.581 0.975 2.033 2.314 1.912 4.983 1.097

Mean fish length (cm) 5 7 13 18 22 27 32 38 45 21

 
Page 94

Table B-37b. Diet composition and sampling data for black sea bass by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

Southern South South North

 Middle New Georges of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [5.4] - - [12.0] [19.6] [7.5]

Bivalvia (1.8) - - (10.8) (12.6) (2.2)

Laevicardium sp. - - - - 9.0 -

Bivalvia unid. 1.8 - - 10.8 3.6 2.2

Cephalopoda (1.6) - - - (5.9) (5.3)

Loligo sp. 0.4 - - - - 4.2

Cephalopoda unid. 1.2 - - - 5.9 1.1

Mollusca unid. (2.0) - - (1.2) (1.1) (<0.1)

POLYCHAETA [3.7] [0.3] - [3.4] [<0.1] [0.9]

CRUSTACEA [63.1] [96.7] [97.4] [22.8] [33.5] [64.1]

Amphipoda (<0.1) (17.2) - - (<0.1) (4.2)

Mysidacea (<0.1) (3.4) (18.4) - - (3.2)

Euphausiacea (14.8) -----

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 14.8 - - - - -

Decapoda (48.1) (52.4) (21.1) (22.7) (33.0) (55.9)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus <0.1 11.9 - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa <0.1 31.8 - - - 0.6

Paguridae 1.3 3.2 - 0.1 3.9 6.1

Munida sp. 4.5 - - - - -

Cancer borealis 2.9 - - - - -

Cancer irroratus 34.6 1.9 - - 2.2 43.0

Ovalipes sp. 1.7 - - - 5.5 2.7

Decapoda unid. 3.1 3.6 21.1 22.6 21.4 3.5

Crustacea unid. (0.2) (23.7) (57.9) (0.1) (0.5) (0.8)

OSTEICHTHYES [23.6] [3.0] - [61.1] [43.7] [18.4]

Ophichthus cruentifer 0.1 - - - - -

Alepocephalidae - - - - 1.9 -

Clupea harengus - - - - 2.0 -

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - 22.3 -

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - - 5.4

Engraulidae - - - - 3.2 -

Cyprinodon variegatus - - - - 4.4 -

Hippocampus sp. - - - 15.7 - -

Syngnathus fuscus - - - - - 1.7

Myctophidae 8.5 -----

Ophidiidae 1.4 - - - - -

Ammodytes dubius 0.2 - - - - 10.8

Stenotomus chrysops 8.8 - - - 3.7 -

Scophthalmus aquosus 1.5 - - - - -

Osteichthyes larvae - - - - <0.1 <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 3.1 3.0 - 45.4 6.2 0.5

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [4.2] - [2.6] [0.7] [3.2] [9.1]

 

Number sampled 288 39 9 28 185 131

Number empty 105 4 4 6 52 24

Mean stomach content (g) 1.096 0.029 0.004 0.493 1.150 1.546

Mean fish length (cm) 23 7 7 20 22 20

 
Page 95

Table B-38a. Diet composition and sampling data for bluefish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 >80 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [6.3] [7.4] [8.5] [19.3] [15.0] [57.7] [61.7] [21.2] [40.1]

Cephalopoda - (6.3) (7.4) (8.5) (19.3) (15.0) (57.7) (61.4) (21.2) (40.0)

Illex sp. - - 1.7 - - - 17.5 46.8 0.7 22.8

Loligo pealeii - - - - - 2.8 1.4 7.1 - 3.9

Loligo sp. - <0.1 1.6 1.5 18.4 10.5 28.4 6.9 20.5 10.6

Cephalopoda unid. - 6.3 4.1 7.0 0.9 1.7 10.4 0.6 - 2.7

Mollusca unid. - - (<0.1) - - - - (0.3) - (0.1)

POLYCHAETA - [2.2] [3.7] [<0.1] - [0.7] - - - [0.4]

Glyceridae - - <0.1 - - 0.7 - - - 0.1

Ophioglycera gigantea - - 3.7 - - - - - - 0.3

Polychaeta unid. - 2.2 <0.1 <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

CRUSTACEA - [0.4] [1.8] [1.6] - [0.8] [0.7] [<0.1] - [0.6]

Amphipoda - (0.1) (1.3) (1.3) - - - - - (0.2)

Decapoda - - (0.4) (0.3) - (0.8) (0.7) (<0.1) - (0.4)

Palaemonetes pugio - - - 0.3 - - - - - <0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - - 0.8 - - - 0.2

Decapoda unid. - - 0.4 <0.1 - <0.1 0.7 <0.1 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. - (0.3) (0.1) (<0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [100.0] [90.6] [86.7] [89.9] [80.7] [83.3] [39.9] [38.2] [78.8] [58.8]

Batrachoidiformes - - 0.6 13.7 2.9 - - - - 1.0

Brevoortia tyrannus - - - - - 11.1 - - - 2.3

Clupea harengus - - - 2.3 - - - - - 0.1

Etrumeus teres - - 15.9 11.7 14.8 34.4 0.9 2.0 - 11.3

Clupeidae - <0.1 2.7 - - - - - - 0.2

Anchoa hepsetus - 23.1 10.3 1.1 4.3 2.5 - - - 2.0

Anchoa mitchilli - - 2.0 1.8 - 0.2 - - - 0.3

Engraulidae - 11.3 11.0 4.3 0.2 1.7 - 0.3 - 1.7

Myctophidae - - 3.5 - - - - - - 0.3

Merluccius bilinearis - - - 4.0 5.7 - - - - 0.7

Gadidae - - - 0.6 - - - 0.7 - 0.3

Stenotomus chrysops - - 1.3 - 3.4 - 2.3 - - 0.7

Ammodytes dubius - - <0.1 - - 0.4 5.8 <0.1 - 0.8

Scomber scombrus - - - - - 0.4 - - - 0.1

Thunnus thynnus - - - 1.8 - - - - - 0.1

Peprilus triacanthus - - 15.6 14.2 6.8 6.2 9.3 3.1 22.5 6.5

Sebastes fasciatus - - - 4.7 - - - - - 0.2

Myoxocephalus octodecemsp. - - - - - - - 3.7 - 1.6

Cynoscion regalis - - - - - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Leiostomus xanthurus - - - 0.7 - - - - - <0.1

Prionotus sp. - - - - - 1.7 - - - 0.4

Pleuronectiformes - - - - 6.6 - 17.2 - - 2.7

Osteichthyes unid. 100.0 56.2 23.8 29.0 36.0 24.7 4.4 28.2 56.3 25.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [0.5] [0.4] - [<0.1] [0.2] [1.7] [0.1] - [0.1]

 

Number sampled 9 81 239 71 26 49 39 50 4 568

Number empty 7 28 76 22 1 5 9 6 1 155

Mean stomach content (g) 0.144 0.824 3.572 7.025 35.455 42.650 31.381 89.488 13.811 17.933

Mean fish length (cm) 10 16 25 34 45 54 65 74 84 35

 
Page 96

Table B-38b. Diet composition and sampling data for bluefish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

Southern South South North

 Middle New Georges of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [1.3] [95.3] [66.1] - [4.5] [22.2]

Cephalopoda (1.3) (95.3) (65.8) - (4.5) (22.2)

Illex sp. - 72.9 54.8 - - 0.3

Loligo pealeii - - - - - 7.0

Loligo sp. - 11.2 8.1 - 3.3 12.9

Cephalopoda unid. 1.3 11.2 2.9 - 1.2 2.0

Mollusca unid. - - (0.3) - (<0.1) (<0.1)

POLYCHAETA - - - - [0.5] [0.8]

Ophioglycera gigantea - - - - - 0.6

Polychaeta unid. - - - - 0.5 0.2

CRUSTACEA - - [<0.1] - [1.8] [0.7]

Amphipoda - - - - - (0.3)

Decapoda - - (<0.1) - (1.6) (0.4)

Palaemonetes pugio - - - - 0.4 -

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - - 0.3

Decapoda unid. - - <0.1 - 1.2 0.1

Crustacea unid. - - - - (0.2) (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [98.1] [4.6] [33.9] [100.0] [92.3] [75.5]

Batrachoidiformes - - - - 1.2 1.7

Brevoortia tyrannus - - - - - 4.1

Clupea harengus - - - - - 0.2

Etrumeus teres 89.9 - 0.9 - - 19.3

Clupeidae 3.8 - - - 3.0 0.1

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - 19.5 2.2

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - 4.0 0.3

Engraulidae - - - - 11.6 2.2

Myctophidae - - - - - 0.5

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - - 1.3

Gadidae - - 0.9 - - <0.1

Stenotomus chrysops - - - - - 1.3

Ammodytes dubius - - 2.1 - 0.2 0.1

Scomber scombrus - - - - - 0.2

Thunnus thynnus - - - - - 0.2

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 5.8 11.4

Sebastes fasciatus - - - - - 0.4

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - 4.7 - - -

Cynoscion regalis - - - - - 0.2

Leiostomus xanthurus - - - - - <0.1

Prionotus sp. - - - - - 0.7

Pleuronectiformes - - 0.4 - - 4.6

Osteichthyes unid. 4.4 4.6 24.9 100.0 47.0 24.5

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.6] [0.1] [<0.1] - [0.9] [0.8]

 

Number sampled 3 5 58 1 136 365

Number empty 0 0 9 0 49 97

Mean stomach content (g) 12.782 103.849 60.804 117.095 2.853 15.333

Mean fish length (cm) 40 60 70 77 26 33

 
Page 97

Table B-39. Diet composition and sampling data for longspine porgy by fish length category. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 Total

 

HYDROZOA - [0.7] - [0.4]

PLATYHELMINTHES - - [0.4] [0.1]

NEMATODA [0.1] [0.2] - [0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [0.4] - [0.3]

MOLLUSCA - - [5.7] [1.0]

Bivalvia - - 1.3 0.2

Cephalopoda - - 4.4 0.8

POLYCHAETA [3.0] [10.5] [25.9] [11.3]

Maldanidae - 1.6 6.3 2.0

Lumbrineris tenuis - - 0.9 0.2

Glycera capitata - - 0.7 0.1

Glyceridae - 2.4 0.1 1.4

Nephtyidae 2.6 0.4 - 0.9

Nereidae 0.2 0.3 - 0.2

Sthenelais sp. - 0.5 - 0.3

Polychaeta unid. 0.2 5.3 17.9 6.2

CRUSTACEA [42.1] [30.8] [1.9] [28.8]

Copepoda - (5.8) (0.1) (3.4)

Amphipoda - (1.4) (0.5) (1.0)

Ampelisca sp. - 0.6 - 0.3

Unciola sp. - <0.1 - 0.1

Melita dentata - - 0.1 <0.1

Gammaridea - - 0.4 0.1

Amphipoda unid. - 0.8 - 0.5

Mysidacea (0.2) (0.1) (1.2) (0.5)

Heteromysis formosa - 0.1 1.2 0.3

Mysis mixta 0.2 - - 0.1

Mysidacea unid. - <0.1 - 0.1

Euphausiacea - (3.7) - (2.2)

Decapoda (41.9) (19.7) (0.1) (21.6)

Lucifer faxoni 8.1 3.0 - 3.7

Sergestidae - 1.3 - 0.7

Pagurus sp. - 1.5 - 0.9

Shrimp unid. 2.6 1.3 - 1.4

Decapoda larvae 10.8 2.9 0.1 4.3

Decapoda unid. 20.4 9.7 - 10.6

Crustacea unid. - (0.1) - (0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [8.2] [0.8] [2.2] [2.9]

ANIMAL REMAINS [45.4] [55.7] [47.9] [51.5]

SAND [1.2] [0.9] [16.0] [3.6]

 

Number sampled 5 46 21 72

Number empty 0 25 8 33

Mean stomach content (g) 0.194 0.050 0.033 0.055

Mean fish length (cm) 10 13 16 14

 
Page 98

Table B-40a. Diet composition and sampling data for scup by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

CNIDARIA [<0.1] - [24.9] [11.0] [3.5] - [8.2]

Anthozoa <0.1 - - 0.9 3.5 - 1.2

Ceriantharia - - 24.9 10.1 - - 7.0

RHYNCHOCOELA - - - [4.8] [2.8] - [2.0]

CEPHALOPODA - - [0.2] [6.6] [25.6] [16.9] [11.8]

Illex sp. - - - - 25.3 13.2 9.3

Loligo pealeii - - - - - 3.7 0.7

Cephalopoda unid. - - 0.2 6.6 0.3 - 1.8

POLYCHAETA [40.9] [61.3] [26.5] [26.9] [9.3] [4.4] [21.0]

Lumbrineris fragilis - 3.9 0.6 - 1.4 - 0.7

Lumbrineridae 16.6 8.7 0.9 1.4 0.3 <0.1 2.0

Pherusa affinis - 5.9 0.3 0.2 - - 0.5

Pherusa sp. - - 1.4 2.7 0.2 - 1.0

Flabelligeridae 1.0 - 1.8 1.8 0.3 - 0.9

Ophioglycera gigantea - - 2.8 4.6 - - 1.7

Nephtyidae 2.5 0.1 7.3 8.3 1.0 - 3.8

Sabellidae 1.6 0.2 1.3 0.8 <0.1 - 0.6

Ampharetidae 3.8 0.3 0.6 1.8 1.1 - 1.1

Terebellidae 3.2 10.6 <0.1 0.2 <0.1 - 0.5

Polychaeta unid. 12.2 31.6 9.5 5.1 5.0 4.4 8.2

CRUSTACEA [41.7] [13.4] [20.3] [30.4] [19.0] [2.7] [20.4]

Amphipoda (8.5) (1.9) (5.5) (21.3) (2.6) (1.2) (8.2)

Gammarus annulatus - 0.2 - 16.3 - - 4.3

Leptocheirus pinguis 3.4 0.1 1.9 0.8 0.3 - 0.8

Aeginina longicornis 1.7 - 1.3 0.4 - - 0.4

Amphipoda unid. 3.4 1.6 2.3 3.8 2.3 1.2 2.7

Mysidacea (29.4) (5.7) (<0.1) - - - (1.8)

Neomysis americana 29.4 5.7 <0.1 - - - 1.8

Decapoda (1.9) (4.4) (13.1) (6.9) (9.2) (1.5) (7.3)

Crangon septemspinosa 1.9 - 1.0 0.1 - - 0.3

Munida sp. - - - - 2.1 1.5 0.9

Paguridae - 2.1 0.2 0.4 - - 0.2

Cancer irroratus - - 10.2 6.2 5.6 - 4.9

Cancridae - - 1.6 0.1 - - 0.3

Decapoda unid. <0.1 2.3 0.1 0.1 1.5 <0.1 0.7

Crustacea unid. (1.9) (1.4) (1.7) (2.2) (7.2) (<0.1) (3.1)

UROCHORDATA - - [6.7] [0.6] - - [1.3]

Oikopleura sp. - - 6.7 0.6 - - 1.3

OSTEICHTHYES [0.3] [0.3] [8.6] [<0.1] [30.4] [74.3] [23.5]

Ammodytes dubius - - 3.1 - 29.9 68.4 21.2

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - - 5.8 1.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - 4.9 <0.1 - <0.1 0.9

Osteichthyes unid. 0.3 0.3 0.6 - 0.5 0.1 0.3

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [17.1] [25.0] [12.8] [19.7] [9.4] [1.7] [11.8]

 

Number sampled 114 91 122 63 40 8 438

Number empty 36 19 53 26 16 2 152

Mean stomach content (g) 0.056 0.083 0.185 0.531 0.881 2.930 0.294

Mean fish length (cm) 8 12 17 22 27 32 16

 
Page 99

Table B-40b. Diet composition and sampling data for scup by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

Southern South South North

 Middle New of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA - [6.5] - - [9.4]

Anthozoa - 6.5 - - -

Ceriantharia - - - - 9.4

RHYNCHOCOELA - [10.8] - - -

CEPHALOPODA - - - - [15.8]

Illex sp. - - - - 12.5

Loligo pealeii - - - - 0.9

Cephalopoda unid. - - - - 2.4

POLYCHAETA [52.5] [34.0] - [18.5] [14.8]

Lumbrineris fragilis 7.5 - - - 0.4

Lumbrineridae 1.5 6.9 - 2.6 0.7

Pherusa affinis - - - - 0.6

Pherusa sp. - 3.9 - - 0.3

Flabelligeridae - 2.1 - - 0.7

Ophioglycera gigantea - - - - 2.3

Nephtyidae 0.7 4.0 - - 4.0

Sabellidae 0.3 2.7 - 1.9 -

Ampharetidae 0.3 5.6 - - <0.1

Terebellidae 4.9 0.3 - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 37.3 8.5 - 14.0 5.8

CRUSTACEA [17.1] [12.2] - [4.9] [22.3]

Amphipoda (0.1) (7.0) - (2.0) (8.8)

Gammarus annulatus - - - - 5.7

Leptocheirus pinguis - 1.9 - - 0.6

Amphipoda unid. 0.1 5.1 - 2.0 2.5

Mysidacea - (0.5) - - (2.3)

Neomysis americana - 0.5 - - 2.3

Decapoda (17.0) (2.7) - (2.0) (7.7)

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 - - 0.4

Munida sp. 17.0 - - - -

Paguridae - 0.3 - 2.0 0.2

Cancer irroratus - - - - 6.6

Decapoda unid. - 2.4 - - 0.5

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (2.0) - (0.9) (3.5)

UROCHORDATA [26.1] - - - -

Oikopleura sp. 26.1 - - - -

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.8] - [56.9] [30.0]

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 28.4

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 1.4

Osteichthyes larvae - - - 56.9 <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.8 - - 0.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [4.3] [35.7] [100.0] [19.7] [7.7]

 

Number sampled 55 111 5 29 238

Number empty 10 46 0 3 93

Mean stomach content (g) 0.119 0.217 0.008 0.066 0.403

Mean fish length (cm) 17 16 14 13 16

 
Page 100

Table B-41a. Diet composition and sampling data for weakfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 >70 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - - [16.2] [<0.1] [0.7] [0.7] [0.4] [25.3] [7.8]

Illex illecebrosus - - 15.3 - - - - - 2.7

Loligo sp. - - - - - - - 25.3 4.7

Cephalopoda unid. - - 0.9 <0.1 0.7 0.7 0.4 - 0.4

POLYCHAETA - [1.5] [0.5] - [<0.1] [3.2] - - [1.0]

CRUSTACEA [95.8] [74.3] [12.3] [5.9] [18.0] [17.4] [13.4] [13.9] [14.9]

Copepoda (1.7) - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (<0.1) (0.3) (<0.1) (0.6) (1.6) (2.6) (<0.1) - (0.9)

Mysidacea (61.7) (63.2) (6.5) (3.2) (15.6) - (0.5) - (3.3)

Mysidopsis bigelowi 9.0 6.8 3.7 <0.1 <0.1 - - - 0.8

Neomysis americana 40.2 46.8 2.8 3.2 15.6 - 0.5 - 2.4

Mysidacea unid. 12.5 9.6 <0.1 - - - - - 0.1

Decapoda (24.5) (10.5) (5.5) (2.1) (0.8) (14.8) (12.9) (13.2) (10.4)

Acetes sp. 3.3 5.5 1.5 0.2 - - - - 0.3

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 1.4 - - 11.6 <0.1 0.6 3.4

Crangon septemspinosa 16.2 3.4 0.4 1.1 0.2 2.7 2.5 - 1.5

Ovalipes ocellatus - - <0.1 - - 0.5 9.8 12.0 4.4

Decapoda unid. 5.0 1.6 2.2 0.8 0.6 - 0.6 0.6 0.8

Crustacea unid. (7.9) (0.3) (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.7) (0.3)

OSTEICHTHYES [3.4] [23.5] [70.4] [94.1] [81.3] [78.2] [85.0] [60.8] [76.0]

Etrumeus teres - - 2.6 - - - 4.9 - 1.5

Clupeidae - - 11.2 - - - - - 2.0

Anchoa hepsetus - - 13.6 1.5 - - 5.1 - 3.6

Anchoa mitchilli - - 4.9 12.6 79.9 9.1 6.8 39.6 17.8

Anchoa sp. - 8.4 2.8 - - - - - 0.6

Engraulidae - - 1.8 2.3 - - 1.2 - 0.8

Myctophidae - - - - - - - 3.1 0.6

Gadus morhua - - 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Merluccius bilinearis - - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Gadidae - - - - - - 5.6 - 1.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 13.4 0.1 - 3.6

Caranx hippos - - - 20.8 - - - - 2.1

Carangidae - - 5.9 - - - - - 1.0

Cynoscion regalis - - - 9.8 - - - - 1.0

Peprilus triacanthus - - 0.2 - - - 4.9 2.6 1.5

Macrozoarces americanus - - - 1.1 - - - - 0.1

Citharichthys arctifrons - - - - - 2.0 46.5 - 10.0

Scophthalmus aquosus - 1.0 - - - - - - <0.1

Bothidae - - - - - - - 7.5 1.4

Pleuronectiformes - - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae 3.4 4.2 0.3 - - - - - 0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - 9.9 27.0 46.0 1.4 53.7 9.9 8.0 27.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.8] [0.7] [0.6] [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.5] [1.2] - [0.3]

 

Number sampled 32 75 196 44 15 15 13 3 393

Number empty 4 9 54 9 0 0 2 0 78

Mean stomach content (g) 0.050 0.218 1.302 3.393 5.509 25.746 22.916 91.206 3.722

Mean fish length (cm) 9 15 25 33 45 54 66 73 26

 
Page 101

Table B-41b. Diet composition and sampling data for weakfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

Southern South North

 Middle New of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Hatteras Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA - - [19.0] [5.9]

Illex illecebrosus - - 19.0 -

Loligo sp. - - - 5.5

Cephalopoda unid. - - <0.1 0.4

POLYCHAETA - - [0.1] [1.0]

CRUSTACEA - - [6.2] [16.0]

Amphipoda - - (<0.1) (1.0)

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) (3.7)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - <0.1 0.9

Neomysis americana - - - 2.7

Mysidacea unid. - - <0.1 0.1

Decapoda - - (6.2) (11.1)

Acetes sp. - - 2.3 <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 1.7 3.7

Crangon septemspinosa - - - 1.7

Ovalipes ocellatus - - 0.1 5.1

Decapoda unid. - - 2.1 0.6

Crustacea unid. - - (<0.1) (0.2)

OSTEICHTHYES - [100.0] [74.1] [76.3]

Etrumeus teres - - - 1.7

Clupeidae - - 4.6 1.5

Anchoa hepsetus - - 15.6 1.6

Anchoa mitchilli - - 4.6 20.0

Anchoa sp. - - 4.1 -

Engraulidae - - 0.2 0.9

Myctophidae - - - 0.7

Gadus morhua - - 0.2 -

Merluccius bilinearis - - 0.1 -

Gadidae - - - 1.3

Ammodytes dubius - - - 4.1

Caranx hippos - - - 2.5

Carangidae - - 7.3 -

Cynoscion regalis - - - 1.2

Peprilus triacanthus - - <0.1 1.8

Macrozoarces americanus - - 0.8 -

Citharichthys arctifrons - - - 11.6

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - <0.1

Bothidae - - - 1.6

Pleuronectiformes - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - 0.4 <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - 100.0 36.2 25.8

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [100.0] - [0.6] [0.8]

 

Number sampled 1 1 111 280

Number empty 0 0 21 56

Mean stomach content (g) 0.072 0.017 1.855 4.489

Mean fish length (cm) 55 70 26 26

 
Page 102

Table B-42a. Diet composition and sampling data for spot by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

MOLLUSCA [59.9] [13.9] [10.3] [15.4] [12.4] [11.6]

Bivalvia (59.9) (13.0) (5.5) (0.6) - (5.7)

Tellina sp. - - 4.5 - - 3.4

Bivalvia unid. 59.9 13.0 1.0 0.6 - 2.3

Mollusca unid. - (0.9) (4.8) (14.8) (12.4) (5.9)

POLYCHAETA [36.7] [51.6] [60.3] [23.9] - [53.9]

Archiannelida - 0.4 13.3 - - 10.1

Maldanidae - - <0.1 1.7 - 0.2

Onuphis sp. - - 0.6 - - 0.4

Aglaophamus circinata - - 0.3 1.1 - 0.4

Nephtyidae - - 2.0 - - 1.5

Cirratulidae - <0.1 1.2 0.1 - 0.9

Spio sp. - - - 16.5 - 2.2

Spionidae - 7.7 1.7 <0.1 - 2.2

Asabellides oculata - 14.8 17.6 - - 14.5

Ampharetidae - 3.5 <0.1 - - 0.3

Polychaeta unid. 36.7 25.2 23.6 4.5 - 21.2

CRUSTACEA [1.6] [17.6] [11.1] [7.8] [87.6] [13.9]

Copepoda - (7.7) (0.3) (2.2) - (1.2)

Stomatopoda - - - - (62.3) (1.6)

Cumacea - (2.0) (3.1) (0.1) (24.7) (3.2)

Oxyurostylis smithi - 1.9 0.7 - 24.7 1.3

Cumacea unid. - 0.1 2.4 0.1 - 1.9

Isopoda (1.6) (0.4) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - (1.6) (3.6) (3.4) - (3.7)

Ampelisca spp. - 1.4 1.6 0.1 - 1.5

Unciola irrorata - - 0.5 3.1 - 0.8

Amphipoda unid. - 0.2 1.5 0.2 - 1.4

Mysidacea - (0.8) (0.4) (0.9) - (0.5)

Neomysis americana - 0.8 0.4 0.9 - 0.5

Decapoda - (4.7) (2.4) (1.1) (0.6) (2.6)

Acetes americanus - 0.7 0.6 - - 0.5

Crangon septemspinosa - 4.0 1.4 <0.1 - 1.4

Decapoda unid. - <0.1 0.4 1.1 0.6 0.7

Crustacea unid. - (0.4) (1.3) (0.1) - (1.1)

ECHINODERMATA - - [<0.1] [0.5] - [0.1]

OSTEICHTHYES - [1.3] [3.1] [2.7] - [2.9]

Anchoa hepsetus - - 1.5 - - 1.1

Engraulidae - 0.8 0.8 - - 0.7

Paralichthys dentatus - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.4 0.2 1.3 - 0.4

Osteichthyes unid. - 0.1 0.6 1.4 - 0.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.8] [15.6] [15.2] [49.7] - [17.6]

 

Number sampled 9 101 290 39 3 442

Number empty 3 10 47 8 1 69

Mean stomach content (g) 0.049 0.044 0.149 0.190 0.496 0.129

Mean fish length (cm) 10 13 17 21 26 16

 
Page 103

Table B-42b. Diet composition and sampling data for spot by geographic area. (Samples gathered during

1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

 South North

 Middle of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic Hatteras Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA - [21.1] [7.9]

Bivalvia - (0.3) (7.9)

Tellina sp. - - 4.8

Bivalvia unid. - 0.3 3.1

Mollusca unid. - (20.8) -

POLYCHAETA [1.7] [3.5] [73.2]

Archiannelida - <0.1 14.2

Maldanidae - <0.1 0.3

Onuphis sp. - 0.4 0.4

Aglaophamus circinata - - 0.5

Nephtyidae - 0.3 2.0

Cirratulidae - - 1.3

Spio sp. - - 3.0

Spionidae - <0.1 2.6

Asabellides oculata - - 20.3

Ampharetidae - - 0.4

Polychaeta unid. 1.7 2.8 28.2

CRUSTACEA [6.0] [22.7] [9.1]

Copepoda - (3.1) (0.3)

Stomatopoda - (5.7) -

Cumacea - (10.1) (0.5)

Oxyurostylis smithi - 4.7 -

Cumacea unid. - 5.4 0.5

Amphipoda - (1.1) (4.1)

Ampelisca spp. - <0.1 2.0

Unciola irrorata - - 1.1

Amphipoda unid. - 1.1 1.0

Mysidacea - - (0.6)

Neomysis americana - - 0.6

Decapoda (2.6) (2.5) (2.3)

Acetes americanus - 1.7 <0.1

Crangon septemspinosa - - 2.0

Decapoda unid. 2.6 0.8 0.3

Crustacea unid. (3.4) (0.2) (1.3)

ECHINODERMATA - [0.4] -

OSTEICHTHYES - [9.9] [0.1]

Anchoa hepsetus - 4.0 -

Engraulidae - 2.4 -

Paralichthys dentatus - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - 1.3 -

Osteichthyes unid. - 2.2 0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [92.3] [42.4] [9.7]

 

Number sampled 4 221 218

Number empty 0 48 21

Mean stomach content (g) 0.029 0.073 0.186

Mean fish length (cm) 16 18 16

 
Page 104

Table B-43a. Diet composition and sampling data for southern kingfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

ANTHOZOA - - [0.8] - - [0.3]

RHYNCHOCOELA - [1.6] [0.3] - - [0.1]

BIVALVIA - - [4.9] [2.7] - [3.2]

Solenidae - - - 0.7 - 0.4

Bivalvia unid. - - 4.9 2.0 - 2.8

POLYCHAETA [26.1] [33.6] [13.0] [9.4] - [10.3]

Arabellidae - - 1.3 - - 0.5

Diopatra cuprea - - 0.6 - - 0.2

Glycera americana - - 8.9 9.0 - 7.8

Glyceridae - - 1.3 - - 0.6

Phyllodocidae - 0.7 - <0.1 - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 26.1 32.9 0.9 0.4 - 1.2

CRUSTACEA [73.9] [26.6] [39.0] [73.2] [100.0] [63.5]

Stomatopoda - - (0.6) (5.0) - (2.9)

Squilla neglecta - - - 2.6 - 1.4

Stomatopoda unid. - - 0.6 2.4 - 1.5

Cumacea - (0.5) - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - (1.8) (0.1) (<0.1) - (0.1)

Decapoda (69.6) (18.9) (10.9) (63.0) (100.0) (48.2)

Acetes americanus - - 0.2 1.0 - 0.6

Crangon septemspinosa - - 2.7 0.2 - 1.0

Pagurus sp. - - 0.8 - - 0.3

Paguridae - 0.8 - - - <0.1

Ogyrides sp. - 5.0 - - - 0.1

Parapenaeus sp. - - 2.3 - - 0.8

Pinnotheridae - 1.5 0.2 - - 0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus - 1.5 - - - <0.1

Portunus gibbesii - - - 17.1 - 9.0

Portunus sp. - - 1.3 3.0 - 2.0

Portunidae - - - 1.0 - 0.5

Albunea paretii - - - 6.1 - 3.2

Albunea sp. - - - 2.8 100.0 12.5

Crab unid. 69.6 1.4 1.2 - - 0.5

Shrimp unid. - 4.6 <0.1 - - 0.1

Decapoda unid. - 4.1 2.2 31.8 - 17.5

Crustacea unid. (4.3) (5.4) (27.4) (5.2) - (12.3)

OSTEICHTHYES - [25.4] [27.7] [10.8] - [15.9]

Anchoa hepsetus - - 17.1 - - 5.9

Pleuronectiformes - - - 1.8 - 1.0

Osteichthyes larvae - - 0.1 <0.1 - 0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - 25.4 10.5 9.0 - 8.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [12.8] [14.3] [1.8] - [5.6]

SAND - - - [2.1] - [1.1]

 

Number sampled 2 19 36 30 1 88

Number empty 0 4 9 5 0 18

Mean stomach content (g) 0.012 0.052 0.444 0.813 5.123 0.529

Mean fish length (cm) 15 18 23 27 32 23

 
Page 105

Table B-43b. Diet composition and sampling data for southern kingfish by geographic

area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage

of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

 South North

of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Hatteras Hatteras

 

ANTHOZOA - [0.8]

RHYNCHOCOELA [0.2] -

BIVALVIA [1.0] [6.8]

Solenidae - 1.0

Bivalvia unid. 1.0 5.8

POLYCHAETA [2.0] [24.6]

Arabellidae - 1.2

Diopatra cuprea 0.3 -

Glycera americana - 21.5

Glyceridae - 1.7

Phyllodocidae - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 1.7 0.2

CRUSTACEA [72.0] [47.9]

Stomatopoda (2.1) (4.1)

Squilla neglecta 2.1 -

Stomatopoda unid. - 4.1

Cumacea (<0.1) -

Amphipoda (<0.1) (<0.1)

Decapoda (51.1) (43.1)

Acetes americanus 0.6 0.6

Crangon septemspinosa - 2.9

Pagurus sp. - 0.8

Paguridae <0.1 -

Ogyrides sp. 0.2 -

Parapenaeus sp. 1.2 -

Pinnotheridae 0.1 -

Ovalipes ocellatus <0.1 -

Portunus gibbesii 14.1 -

Portunus sp. 0.7 4.3

Albunea paretii 0.4 0.7

Albunea sp. 18.9 10.0

Crab unid. 0.2 1.0

Shrimp unid. 0.2 <0.1

Decapoda unid. 14.5 22.8

Crustacea unid. (18.8) (0.7)

OSTEICHTHYES [21.0] [6.4]

Anchoa hepsetus 9.2 -

Pleuronectiformes 1.5 -

Osteichthyes larvae 0.1 -

Osteichthyes unid. 10.2 6.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [2.1] [13.5]

SAND [1.7] [<0.1]

 

Number sampled 49 39

Number empty 8 10

Mean stomach content (g) 0.605 0.431

Mean fish length (cm) 22 24

 
Page 106

Table B-44a. Diet composition and sampling data for northern kingfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - - [1.2] [0.1] - [0.3]

POLYCHAETA - [3.6] [17.8] [10.5] [1.9] - [3.8]

Lumbrineris fragilis - - - - 0.7 - 0.5

Onuphidae - - - 4.4 1.0 - 1.5

Glyceridae - 2.4 6.6 - - - 0.2

Nephtys bucera - - - 1.1 - - 0.2

Nephtys sp. - - 0.3 2.0 0.2 - 0.5

Nephtyidae - 1.2 - 0.7 - - 0.1

Polychaeta unid. - - 10.9 2.3 <0.1 - 0.8

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [74.9] [76.3] [70.8] [87.4] [92.3] [84.8]

Stomatopoda - - - (5.6) - - (1.0)

Squilla empusa - - - 5.6 - - 1.0

Amphipoda - (0.6) (10.2) (3.1) (<0.1) - (0.9)

Ampelisca verrilli - - 4.2 0.4 <0.1 - 0.2

Gammarus annulatus - - 5.4 2.3 - - 0.6

Amphipoda unid. - 0.6 0.6 0.4 - - 0.1

Mysidacea - (1.8) (0.3) (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Decapoda (100.0) (72.5) (62.0) (61.7) (87.4) (92.3) (82.7)

Acetes americanus - - 0.2 2.2 0.1 - 0.5

Acetes sp. - - <0.1 0.7 - - 0.1

Penaeidae - - - 1.4 - - 0.3

Callianassa setimanus 26.0 - - - - - 0.1

Hippolytidae - - - 0.9 1.3 - 1.0

Crangon septemspinosa 24.1 - 27.0 1.8 <0.1 - 1.3

Cancer irroratus - - - 1.9 - - 0.3

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - 16.8 - 10.9

Portunus gibbesii - - - 6.2 - - 1.1

Portunus spinicarpus - - - 1.4 - - 0.3

Portunus sp. - - - 0.6 1.2 7.8 1.9

Portunidae - - - 0.5 41.5 53.2 34.0

Ogyrides sp. - - 5.9 0.6 - - 0.3

Pinnixa chaetopterana 49.9 65.9 10.8 - - - 0.7

Albunea paretii - - - 18.4 13.4 18.3 14.5

Decapoda unid. - 6.6 18.1 25.1 13.1 13.0 15.4

Crustacea unid. - - (3.8) (0.4) - - (0.2)

OSTEICHTHYES - - [1.5] [16.0] [8.1] [7.7] [9.4]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - - 2.1 7.7 2.4

Engraulidae - - - 10.9 5.6 - 5.7

Bothidae - - 0.8 <0.1 - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - - 1.0 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. - - 0.7 4.1 0.4 - 1.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [21.5] [4.4] [1.5] [1.5] - [1.1]

SAND - - - - [1.0] - [0.6]

 

Number sampled 1 2 14 32 27 2 78

Number empty 0 0 1 1 2 1 5

Mean stomach content (g) 0.361 0.083 0.189 0.498 2.104 5.699 1.119

Mean fish length (cm) 10 14 17 23 27 32 23

 
Page 107

Table B-44b. Diet composition and sampling data for northern kingfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered

during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets

indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

 South South North

of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA - [0.4] [<0.1]

POLYCHAETA - [1.3] [14.4]

Lumbrineris fragilis - - 2.6

Onuphidae - 1.0 3.7

Glyceridae - - 1.1

Nephtys bucera - - 1.1

Nephtys sp. - <0.1 2.8

Nephtyidae - - 0.7

Polychaeta unid. - 0.3 2.4

CRUSTACEA - [92.1] [51.7]

Stomatopoda - (1.3) -

Squilla empusa - 1.3 -

Amphipoda - (<0.1) (4.6)

Ampelisca verrilli - <0.1 1.1

Gammarus annulatus - - 3.2

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 0.3

Mysidacea - (<0.1) (<0.1)

Decapoda - (90.8) (46.2)

Acetes sp. - 0.7 0.1

Penaeidae - 0.3 -

Callianassa setimanus - - 0.6

Hippolytidae - 1.3 -

Crangon septemspinosa - - 7.1

Cancer irroratus - - 1.9

Ovalipes ocellatus - 13.3 -

Portunus gibbesii - 1.4 -

Portunus spinicarpus - 0.3 -

Portunus sp. - 2.2 0.6

Portunidae - 41.5 -

Ogyrides sp. - 0.3 -

Pinnixa chaetopterana - - 3.7

Albunea paretii - 17.7 -

Decapoda unid. - 11.8 32.2

Crustacea unid. - (<0.1) (0.9)

OSTEICHTHYES [100.0] [5.0] [27.9]

Ophichthus cruentifer - 2.9 -

Engraulidae - 1.0 27.0

Bothidae - <0.1 <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.2 -

Osteichthyes unid. 100.0 0.9 0.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [0.4] [6.0]

SAND - [0.8] -

 

Number sampled 1 43 34

Number empty 0 3 2

Mean stomach content (g) 0.118 1.664 0.461

Mean fish length (cm) 29 24 22

 
Page 108

Table B-45. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic croaker by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor

taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

CERIANTHARIA - - - [1.9] [1.4] - - [0.9]

MOLLUSCA - [58.6] [11.2] [12.6] [16.3] [10.9] - [15.1]

Bivalvia - (58.6) (4.5) (11.1) (7.8) (10.9) - (9.9)

Solenidae - - - 4.1 4.9 - - 2.6

Bivalvia unid. - 58.6 4.5 7.0 2.9 10.9 - 7.3

Cephalopoda - - (6.7) (0.9) - - - (2.0)

Mollusca unid. - - (<0.1) (0.6) (8.5) (<0.1) - (3.2)

POLYCHAETA - [8.6] [34.5] [55.1] [27.0] [50.6] [68.7] [37.4]

Eunicidae - - - 2.0 1.7 - - 1.0

Lumbrineris fragilis - - 5.4 2.4 4.8 9.5 - 4.7

Lumbrineridae - - 0.1 4.2 1.1 - - 1.3

Diopatra cuprea - - 1.8 2.5 0.5 - 16.5 1.4

Pherusa affinis - - <0.1 0.2 2.7 0.8 - 1.1

Glycera americana - - 14.0 19.6 1.7 0.2 - 8.5

Glycera dibranchiata - - - 0.3 1.7 - - 0.7

Glycera robusta - - - - - 8.5 - 0.9

Spio sp. - 3.7 2.4 3.0 1.0 - - 1.8

Spionidae - <0.1 4.2 3.5 2.7 22.5 - 5.3

Polychaeta unid. - 4.9 6.6 17.4 9.1 9.1 52.2 10.7

CRUSTACEA [32.4] [9.3] [23.9] [10.5] [35.0] [16.6] [9.8] [23.7]

Stomatopoda - - - (0.6) (29.0) - - (10.3)

Squilla empusa - - - - 28.8 - - 10.1

Stomatopoda unid. - - - 0.6 0.2 - - 0.2

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) (2.0) (0.7) (0.3) - (0.7)

Neomysis americana - - <0.1 2.0 0.7 0.3 - 0.7

Decapoda - (8.4) (23.4) (7.3) (4.3) (2.5) (3.7) (10.3)

Hippolytidae - 0.6 3.6 - - - - 1.0

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 0.1 2.1 0.5 1.9 - 0.9

Cancridae - - 3.4 <0.1 0.2 0.3 - 1.1

Pinnixa chaetopterana - 1.6 0.5 - - - - 0.2

Ovalipes ocellatus - - 5.6 4.2 - - - 2.4

Albunea paretii - - 2.1 - - - - 0.6

Decapoda unid. - 6.2 8.1 1.0 3.6 0.3 3.7 4.1

Crustacea unid. (32.4) (0.9) (0.5) (0.6) (1.0) (13.8) (6.1) (2.4)

HEMICHORDATA - [22.1] [13.7] - - - - [4.7]

OSTEICHTHYES - [<0.1] [6.9] [15.0] [16.5] [14.7] [0.2] [12.5]

Anchoa mitchilli - - - 1.3 6.6 12.2 - 3.9

Engraulidae - - - 6.0 4.3 2.5 - 3.0

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 0.2 - - 0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - 0.7 - <0.1 - - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. - <0.1 6.2 7.7 5.4 <0.1 0.2 5.3

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [43.3] [1.4] [9.6] [4.7] [3.0] [5.5] [21.3] [5.1]

SAND AND ROCK [24.3] - [0.2] [0.2] [0.8] [1.7] - [0.6]

 

Number sampled 2 33 118 64 36 9 1 263

Number empty 0 5 33 12 5 1 0 56

Mean stomach content (g) 0.019 0.275 0.511 0.707 2.129 2.676 2.876 0.830

Mean fish length (cm) 13 18 23 27 32 37 45 25

 
Page 109

Table B-46. Diet composition and sampling data for cunner by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [1.0] [49.2] [28.5] - [41.4] - - [6.1]

Polyplacophora - - - (0.2) - - - - (<0.1)

Gastropoda - (1.0) - - - - - - (0.1)

Bivalvia - - - (<0.1) - - - - (<0.1)

Cerastoderma pinnulatum - - - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Mollusca unid. - - (49.2) (28.3) - (41.4) - - (6.0)

ANNELIDA - [8.1] - [7.6] - - - - [1.1]

Lepidonotus squamatus - - - 0.3 - - - - <0.1

Polychaeta - 2.6 - 7.3 - - - - 0.8

Annelida unid. - 5.5 - - - - - - 0.3

SIPUNCULA - - - [0.1] - - - - [<0.1]

Phascolion strombi - - - 0.1 - - - - <0.1

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [33.5] [1.8] [4.8] [64.0] [58.3] [79.4] [99.3] [74.9]

Cumacea - - (0.1) (0.1) - - - - (<0.1)

Diastylis quadrispinosa - - - 0.1 - - - - <0.1

Diastylis sp. - - 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Isopoda - - (0.8) (<0.1) - - - - (<0.1)

Arcturidae - - 0.8 <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda (100.0) (2.4) (0.9) (1.8) (<0.1) - - - (0.3)

Ericthonius rubricornis - - <0.1 0.1 - - - - <0.1

Unciola irrorata - - 0.3 - - - - - <0.1

Unciola sp. - 2.4 - - - - - - 0.1

Pleusymtes glaber 10.0 - - - - - - - <0.1

Stenula sp. 90.0 - - - - - - - <0.1

Aeginina longicornis - - - 0.5 - - - - 0.1

Caprellidae - - - 0.2 - - - - <0.1

Gammaridea - - 0.3 0.2 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - - 0.3 0.8 <0.1 - - - 0.1

Decapoda - (30.3) - (1.3) (52.5) (58.3) (75.7) (99.0) (72.0)

Pandalus montagui - 30.3 - - - - - - 1.6

Pagurus sp. - - - - - 21.3 - 16.7 9.3

Cancer borealis - - - - 5.5 - - - 0.8

Cancer irroratus - - - - 4.2 25.9 72.7 49.7 37.3

Crab unid. - - - - - - 3.0 - 0.5

Decapoda unid. - - - 1.3 42.8 11.1 - 32.6 22.5

Crustacea unid. - (0.8) - (1.6) (11.5) - (3.7) (0.3) (2.6)

ECHINODERMATA - - - - [33.9] - - - [5.0]

Echinoidea - - - - 33.9 - - - 5.0

UROCHORDATA - - - [12.4] - - - - [1.1]

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - - - [11.5] - [1.8]

Pleuronectiformes - - - - - - 11.5 - 1.8

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [<0.1] [52.1] [39.2] [39.4] - [0.3] - [0.1] [6.9]

SAND AND ROCK - [5.3] [9.8] [7.2] [2.1] - [9.1] [0.6] [3.1]

 

Number sampled 8 9 2 5 10 6 10 4 54

Number empty 6 5 1 0 3 3 6 1 25

Mean stomach content (g) 0.001 0.489 0.723 1.469 1.217 0.875 1.324 9.810 1.539

Mean fish length (cm) 6 13 17 23 27 33 38 43 25

 
Page 110

Table B-47a. Diet composition and sampling data for ocean pout by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 >60 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - [8.6] [3.1] [14.5] [20.7] [1.7] [37.2] [19.3]

Bivalvia - (8.6) (3.1) (11.6) (13.4) (1.5) (37.2) (17.3)

Pecten sp. - - - - - 1.1 - 0.4

Placopecten magellanicus - - - - - <0.1 37.2 12.4

Pectinidae - 8.6 - - - - - 0.1

Cerastoderma pinnulatum - - 3.1 0.2 6.4 - - 1.5

Bivalvia unid. - - - 11.4 7.0 0.4 - 2.9

Mollusca unid. - - - (2.9) (7.3) (0.2) - (2.0)

POLYCHAETA - [65.6] [10.9] [3.9] [3.0] [0.7] [<0.1] [2.1] 

Aphroditidae - - - 2.4 2.4 - - 0.8

Cirratulidae - 56.9 - - - - - 0.5

Polychaeta unid. - 8.7 10.9 1.5 0.6 0.7 <0.1 0.8

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [17.7] [25.0] [33.5] [29.8] [39.5] [4.1] [24.7]

Isopoda - - (0.2) (2.3) (<0.1) (0.2) - (0.4)

Edotea triloba - - - 2.3 <0.1 - - 0.3

Isopoda unid. - - 0.2 - - 0.2 - 0.1

Amphipoda (100.0) (15.8) (19.9) (7.0) (27.3) (32.0) (1.8) (18.1)

Parathemisto sp. 100.0 - - - - - - <0.1

Ampeliscidae - - - 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.4

Ericthonius rubricornis - 0.6 1.8 - - <0.1 - <0.1

Unciola irrorata - 6.7 16.9 0.6 20.0 11.2 1.6 8.9

Leptocheirus pinguis - 5.9 - 1.8 1.6 19.9 <0.1 6.9

Aeginina longicornis - - - 0.7 - - - 0.1

Amphipoda unid. - 2.6 1.2 3.8 5.1 0.5 <0.1 1.8

Decapoda - (1.4) (3.7) (22.8) (2.5) (5.6) (2.3) (5.4)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - 0.9 - - - 0.1

Paguridae - 1.4 3.7 - - - - <0.1

Hyas coarctatus - - - - 0.2 5.2 - 1.7

Cancer borealis - - - 21.9 2.3 - - 2.8

Crab unid. - - - - - 0.4 2.3 0.8

Crustacea unid. - (0.5) (1.2) (1.4) (<0.1) (1.7) - (0.8)

ECHINODERMATA - - [29.8] [44.7] [40.6] [49.7] [54.9] [48.3]

Echinoidea - - - - (<0.1) (8.2) (52.0) (20.0)

Echinarachnius parma - - - - <0.1 7.3 36.7 14.6

Echinoidea unid. - - - - - 0.9 15.3 5.4

Ophiuroidea - - (29.8) (44.7) (40.6) (39.7) (2.9) (27.7)

Ophiopholis aculeata - - 23.5 4.1 0.9 0.6 1.9 1.7

Ophiura sarsi - - 0.5 - 0.4 35.8 0.3 11.5

Ophiuroidea unid. - - 5.8 40.6 39.3 3.3 0.7 14.5

Echinodermata unid. - - - - - (1.8) - (0.6)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - [<0.1] [<0.1] - - [<0.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [8.1] [16.4] [3.3] [3.4] [8.4] [3.1] [4.6]

SAND AND ROCK - - [14.8] [0.1] [2.5] [<0.1] [0.7] [1.0]

 

Number sampled 1 13 10 20 18 19 13 94

Number empty 0 1 2 5 4 6 3 21

Mean stomach content (g) 0.004 0.105 0.184 0.802 1.979 2.598 4.018 1.665

Mean fish length (cm) 5 16 26 35 45 54 68 41

 
Page 111

Table B-47b. Diet composition and sampling data for ocean pout by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [8.8] [31.7] [0.6] - [16.7]

Bivalvia (3.2) (30.5) (0.6) - (16.6)

Pecten sp. - 0.8 - - -

Placopecten magellanicus - 27.6 - - -

Pectinidae - - 0.6 - -

Cerastoderma pinnulatum 2.2 2.1 - - -

Bivalvia unid. 1.0 <0.1 - - 16.6

Mollusca unid. (5.6) (1.2) - - (0.1)

POLYCHAETA [3.9] [0.6] [5.7] - [<0.1]

Aphroditidae 2.9 - - - -

Cirratulidae - - 4.2 - -

Polychaeta unid. 1.0 0.6 1.5 - <0.1

CRUSTACEA [71.2] [11.1] [0.8] [100.0] [<0.1]

Isopoda (0.9) (0.2) - - (<0.1)

Edotea triloba 0.9 - - - <0.1

Isopoda unid. - 0.2 - - -

Amphipoda (59.6) (3.9) (<0.1) (100.0) -

Parathemisto sp. - - - 100.0 -

Ampeliscidae 0.3 0.6 - - -

Unciola irrorata 28.2 2.7 - - -

Leptocheirus pinguis 25.1 0.2 - - -

Aeginina longicornis 0.3 - - - -

Amphipoda unid. 5.7 0.4 <0.1 - -

Decapoda (10.2) (5.8) (0.8) - -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 0.8 - -

Paguridae <0.1 <0.1 - - -

Hyas coarctatus - 3.8 - - -

Cancer borealis 10.2 - - - -

Crab unid. <0.1 2.0 - - -

Crustacea unid. (0.5) (1.2) - - -

ECHINODERMATA [12.8] [46.2] [92.9] - [81.1]

Echinoidea (12.8) (36.6) - - -

Echinarachnius parma 8.5 27.2 - - -

Echinoidea unid. 4.3 9.4 - - -

Ophiuroidea - (8.3) (92.9) - (81.1)

Ophiopholis aculeata - 3.8 - - -

Ophiura sarsi - 0.9 92.9 - -

Ophiuroidea unid. - 3.6 - - 81.1

Echinodermata unid. - (1.3) - - -

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] - - - [<0.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.4] [9.3] [<0.1] - [2.2]

SAND AND ROCK [1.9] [1.1] - - -

 

Number sampled 42 34 12 1 5

Number empty 12 4 5 0 0

Mean stomach content (g) 1.013 2.074 1.553 0.004 4.949

Mean fish length (cm) 39 50 28 5 40

 
Page 112

Table B-48a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic wolffish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 >80 Total

 

MOLLUSCA [25.4] [33.7] [3.3] [5.0] [12.1] [36.3] [69.6] [50.4] [62.3] [57.6]

Gastropoda (24.9) - (1.1) - (3.7) (0.5) (17.6) (1.1) (12.6) (10.8)

Bivalvia - (33.7) (2.2) (5.0) (1.2) (28.9) (32.5) (29.1) (48.9) (40.1)

Pecten sp. - - - - - - - - 18.2 10.6

Placopecten sp. - - - - - - 27.1 29.1 9.6 12.9

Pectinidae - - - - - - - - 21.1 12.2

Bivalvia unid. - 33.7 2.2 5.0 1.2 28.9 5.4 - - 4.4

Mollusca unid. (0.5) - - - (7.2) (6.9) (19.5) (20.2) (0.8) (6.7)

POLYCHAETA - - [10.9] - [0.2] [0.5] - - - [0.1]

Aphrodita hastata - - 10.9 - - - - - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. - - - - 0.2 0.5 - - - 0.1

CRUSTACEA [73.7] [3.5] [0.5] [59.1] [15.0] [19.9] [26.4] [49.1] [4.7] [14.6]

Copepoda (1.0) - - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Tanaidacea - (0.4) - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (28.7) (3.1) - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Parathemisto sp. 28.7 - - - - - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda unid. - 3.1 - - - - - - - <0.1

Mysidacea (0.5) - - - - - - - - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea (37.3) - - - - (4.8) - (11.9) - (1.5)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - - - 4.8 - 11.9 - 1.5

Euphausiacea unid. 37.3 - - - - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda (0.5) - (0.5) (59.1) (15.0) (15.1) (26.4) (37.2) (4.5) (13.0)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - - - 0.6 - - 0.1

Pandalus borealis - - - - - - - 37.1 - 3.1

Sclerocrangon boreas - - - - 10.6 - - - - 0.4

Pagurus longicarpus - - - - - - - - 3.1 1.8

Pagurus arcuatus - - - - 2.7 - - - - 0.1

Paguridae - - - - 1.6 1.2 4.7 0.1 1.4 1.9

Majidae - - - 59.1 - - 0.9 - - 0.3

Cancer irroratus - - - - - 12.6 19.8 - - 5.0

Decapoda unid. 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.1 1.3 0.4 - <0.1 0.3

Crustacea unid. (5.7) - - - - - - - (0.2) (0.1)

ECHINODERMATA - [62.8] [83.8] [35.9] [68.2] [36.0] [1.9] - [31.6] [25.8]

Echinoidea - - - (35.9) (52.7) (0.8) (1.9) - (11.7) (9.3)

Strongylocentrotus sp. - - - 35.9 52.7 - 1.9 - 7.5 6.7

Echinarachnius parma - - - - - - - - 0.1 0.1

Echinoidea unid. - - - - - 0.8 - - 4.1 2.5

Ophiuroidea - - (76.0) - (7.3) (35.2) - - (18.7) (15.3)

Ophiura sarsi - - - - - 2.6 - - 18.7 11.1

Ophiuroidea unid. - - 76.0 - 7.3 32.6 - - - 4.2

Echinodermata unid. - (62.8) (7.8) - (8.2) - - - (1.2) (1.2)

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.9] - [1.5] - [2.2] [6.4] [1.9] [0.5] [0.2] [1.0]

ROCK - - - - [2.3] [0.9] [0.2] - [1.2] [0.9]

 

Number sampled 23 4 7 5 5 8 9 4 10 75

Number empty 3 3 4 2 0 3 2 2 0 19

Mean stomach content (g) 0.009 0.419 0.274 0.339 4.864 9.595 13.583 14.107 39.532 9.074

Mean fish length (cm) 4 16 26 34 46 55 66 76 92 40

 
Page 113

Table B-48b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic wolffish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA - [88.8] [47.0] [32.4] [38.9]

Gastropoda - (30.4) (0.7) (2.4) (0.7)

Bivalvia - (56.6) (38.7) (8.5) (35.7)

Pecten sp. - 31.5 - 1.2 -

Placopecten sp. - 14.8 6.6 - 33.1

Pectinidae - 10.3 24.1 - -

Bivalvia unid. - - 8.0 7.3 2.6

Mollusca unid. - (1.8) (7.6) (21.5) (2.5)

POLYCHAETA - - [0.2] - -

Aphrodita hastata - - <0.1 - -

Polychaeta unid. - - 0.2 - -

CRUSTACEA [33.3] [8.0] [18.8] [22.5] [12.2]

Copepoda - - - (<0.1) -

Amphipoda - - (<0.1) (<0.1) -

Parathemisto sp. - - - <0.1 -

Amphipoda unid. - - <0.1 - -

Mysidacea (33.3) ----

Euphausiacea - - (4.2) (<0.1) -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 4.2 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - - - <0.1 -

Decapoda - (7.9) (14.6) (22.0) (12.2)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - 0.8 -

Pandalus borealis - - 8.4 - -

Sclerocrangon boreas - - 1.0 - -

Pagurus longicarpus - 5.5 - - -

Pagurus arcuatus - - 0.3 - -

Paguridae - 2.4 0.6 1.4 4.1

Majidae - - - 2.4 -

Cancer irroratus - - 3.9 16.4 8.1

Decapoda unid. - - 0.4 1.0 <0.1

Crustacea unid. - (0.1) (<0.1) (0.5) -

ECHINODERMATA - [2.1] [31.9] [38.3] [48.1]

Echinoidea - - (0.2) (37.2) (24.6)

Strongylocentrotus sp. - - - 36.6 10.5

Echinarachnius parma - - - 0.6 -

Echinoidea unid. - - 0.2 - 14.1

Ophiuroidea - - (30.4) (1.1) (23.5)

Ophiura sarsi - - 29.1 1.1 1.7

Ophiuroidea unid. - - 1.3 - 21.8

Echinodermata unid. - (2.1) (1.3) - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [66.7] [1.0] [1.8] [1.4] [0.4]

ROCK - [0.1] [0.3] [5.4] [0.4]

 

Number sampled 1 8 28 33 5

Number empty 0 0 11 7 1

Mean stomach content (g) 0.003 28.046 8.943 2.760 22.939

Mean fish length (cm) 3 79 41 27 68

 
Page 114

Table B-49a. Diet composition and sampling data for northern sand lance by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 Total

 

CNIDARIA - - [0.3] [<0.1] - - [0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [16.6] [10.8] [17.8] [14.4] [95.4] [15.2]

Sagitta elegans - - 0.4 0.1 3.9 - 1.0

Sagitta sp. - 14.9 1.6 9.0 <0.1 - 4.7

Chaetognatha unid. - 1.7 8.8 8.7 10.5 95.4 9.5

OPISTHOBRANCHIA - - [<0.1] [0.1] [2.9] - [0.6]

Limacina sp. - - - 0.1 2.3 - 0.5

Opisthobranchia unid. - - <0.1 <0.1 0.6 - 0.1

POLYCHAETA - - [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.2] [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [42.9] [79.9] [83.6] [72.8] [63.1] [4.4] [74.8]

Ostracoda - (0.9) (1.2) (<0.1) - - (0.4)

Copepoda (33.8) (40.5) (79.7) (64.4) (56.0) (1.2) (67.3)

Calanus sp. - 8.8 13.3 34.0 27.1 - 24.7

Centropages sp. - - 11.0 <0.1 - - 3.9

Calanoida 31.2 13.8 37.0 18.7 26.9 1.2 26.5

Copepoda unid. 2.6 17.9 18.4 11.7 2.0 - 12.2

Cirripedia - (0.6) (0.2) (0.1) - - (0.2)

Cumacea - - (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - (0.1) (0.7) (3.9) (5.9) (2.7) (3.2)

Parathemisto gaudichaudii - - 0.5 0.7 <0.1 - 0.5

Parathemisto sp. - - <0.1 0.7 1.2 - 0.6

Hyperiidae - - <0.1 0.2 0.2 - 0.1

Monoculodes edwardsi - - - - 0.7 - 0.1

Calliopius laeviusculus - - 0.2 0.2 0.1 2.7 <0.1

Gammarus annulatus - - - 2.1 3.7 - 1.7

Amphipoda unid. - 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Mysidacea - (36.4) (0.3) (2.4) (0.4) (0.5) (2.0)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - <0.1 <0.1 0.3 - 0.1

Mysidopsis sp. - - <0.1 <0.1 - 0.5 <0.1

Neomysis americana - 36.4 0.3 2.4 0.1 - 1.9

Euphausiacea - - (0.7) (0.7) (0.2) - (0.6)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - <0.1 0.1 0.2 - 0.1

Euphausiacea unid. - - 0.7 0.6 <0.1 - 0.5

Crustacea unid. (9.1) (1.4) (0.8) (1.3) (0.6) - (1.1)

UROCHORDATA [57.1] [1.3] [0.2] [2.8] [13.7] - [4.1]

Larvacea 57.1 1.3 0.1 <0.1 - - 0.1

Urochordata unid. - - 0.1 2.8 13.7 - 4.0

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.1] [0.2] [1.7] [<0.1] - [0.8]

Ammodytes dubius - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Pholis gunnellus - - - <0.1 - - <0.1

Osteichthyes eggs - - <0.1 0.1 - - 0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.1 <0.1 0.3 - - 0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - - 0.2 1.3 <0.1 - 0.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [2.1] [4.9] [4.8] [5.9] - [4.4]

 

Number sampled 11 93 811 383 54 1 1353

Number empty 1 27 227 130 8 0 393

Mean stomach content (g) 0.007 0.019 0.040 0.103 0.343 0.593 0.069

Mean fish length (cm) 4 9 13 17 21 27 14

 
Page 115

Table B-49b. Diet composition and sampling data for northern sand lance by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 Middle New Georges Gulf of of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA [2.8] [0.3] [<0.1] - [0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [0.4] [32.2] [15.1] [0.1] [8.8]

Sagitta elegans - 3.7 0.2 - 0.2

Sagitta sp. - 21.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Chaetognatha unid. 0.4 7.4 14.9 0.1 8.6

OPISTHOBRANCHIA - [<0.1] [<0.1] [3.7] -

Limacina sp. - - <0.1 3.0 -

Opisthobranchia unid. - <0.1 <0.1 0.7 -

POLYCHAETA - [<0.1] [<0.1] - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [61.6] [57.5] [79.8] [70.7] [87.8]

Ostracoda - (<0.1) (0.2) (2.1) (<0.1)

Copepoda (59.6) (45.2) (73.7) (67.9) (78.9)

Calanus sp. - 7.3 52.3 - 2.3

Centropages sp. - 5.0 - - 16.8

Calanoida 35.7 28.0 9.4 56.8 37.4

Copepoda unid. 23.9 4.9 12.0 11.1 22.4

Cirripedia - (0.1) (<0.1) (0.3) (0.4)

Cumacea - (<0.1) - - (0.1)

Amphipoda (0.8) (9.9) (1.9) (0.4) (<0.1)

Parathemisto sp. 0.8 2.0 1.3 - -

Hyperiidae <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.4 -

Monoculodes edwardsi - 0.6 - - -

Calliopius laeviusculus - - 0.4 - -

Gammarus annulatus - 7.3 0.1 - -

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Mysidacea - (0.2) (2.2) - (5.9)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - 0.3 - -

Mysidopsis sp. - - <0.1 - -

Neomysis americana - 0.2 1.9 - 5.9

Euphausiacea - (0.2) (0.6) - (1.9)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 0.3 - -

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.2 0.3 - 1.9

Crustacea unid. (1.2) (1.9) (1.2) (<0.1) (0.6)

UROCHORDATA [6.5] [0.3] [0.7] [21.5] [0.1]

Larvacea 0.9 0.3 - - 0.1

Urochordata unid. 5.6 <0.1 0.7 21.5 -

OSTEICHTHYES [6.5] [2.5] [0.5] - [<0.1]

Ammodytes dubius - <0.1 - - -

Pholis gunnellus - <0.1 - - -

Osteichthyes eggs - - 0.2 - -

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.6 <0.1 - -

Osteichthyes unid. 6.5 1.9 0.3 - <0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [22.2] [7.2] [3.9] [4.0] [3.2]

 

Number sampled 148 319 429 61 396

Number empty 40 76 162 4 111

Mean stomach content (g) 0.008 0.064 0.094 0.260 0.039

Mean fish length (cm) 12 15 15 17 12

 
Page 116

Table B-50a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic mackerel by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

NEMATODA [0.7] [<0.1] [0.1] - [<0.1] [<0.1] [0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [13.8] - [5.0] [25.4] [9.3] [7.2] [8.6]

Sagitta elegans 3.0 - 4.8 16.2 4.0 5.2 4.8

Chaetognatha unid. 10.8 - 0.2 9.2 5.3 2.0 3.8

MOLLUSCA [<0.1] - - [<0.1] [0.5] - [0.3]

Bivalvia - - - - 0.1 - 0.1

Cephalopoda <0.1 - - <0.1 0.4 - 0.2

POLYCHAETA [<0.1] - - [1.2] - - [<0.1]

CRUSTACEA [81.9] [93.9] [94.7] [69.0] [89.0] [92.3] [90.2]

Copepoda (13.3) (92.7) (18.4) - (3.8) (1.0) (7.3)

Calanoida 8.0 - 7.3 - 0.9 <0.1 2.0

Centropages sp. 5.0 92.7 - - - - 2.2

Copepoda unid. 0.3 - 11.1 - 2.9 1.0 3.1

Cumacea - - - - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.9) (1.2) (13.8) (21.9) (83.4) (90.4) (66.2)

Hyperia glaba - - 0.4 - - - 0.1

Parathemisto gaudichaudii <0.1 1.2 13.4 - 3.5 <0.1 3.3

Parathemisto sp. 0.2 - - 12.1 2.5 <0.1 1.4

Hyperiidae 0.7 <0.1 - - - - 0.1

Aeginina longicornis - - <0.1 - <0.1 - <0.1

Gammarus annulatus - - - 9.8 77.4 90.4 61.3

Amphipoda unid. <0.1 - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Mysidacea (67.6) - (38.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.8) (10.8)

Mysidopsis bigelowi 6.1 - - - - - 0.4

Neomysis americana 61.5 - 38.3 <0.1 - 0.8 10.4

Mysidacea unid. <0.1 - - <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Euphausiacea - - (20.1) (45.3) (0.6) (<0.1) (4.8)

Euphausia krohnii - - - 38.0 - - 1.3

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - 20.1 3.3 0.6 <0.1 3.3

Euphausiacea unid. - - <0.1 4.0 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

Decapoda (0.1) - (1.7) (0.4) (1.0) (0.1) (0.7)

Crangon septemspinosa 0.1 - <0.1 - - <0.1 <0.1

Pagurus sp. - - <0.1 - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Decapoda larvae <0.1 - 1.7 0.4 1.0 0.1 0.7

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) - (2.4) (1.4) (0.2) - (0.4)

UROCHORDATA [1.5] - [0.2] - - - [0.1]

Ascidiacea 0.6 - - - - - <0.1

Urochordata unid. 0.9 - 0.2 - - - 0.1

OSTEICHTHYES [0.1] - [<0.1] - [0.2] [<0.1] [0.1]

Osteichthyes larvae 0.1 - <0.1 - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. <0.1 - <0.1 - 0.2 - 0.1

ANIMAL REMAINS [2.0] [6.1] [<0.1] [0.6] [0.9] [0.5] [0.4]

SAND - - - [3.8] [0.1] - [0.2]

 

Number sampled 32 7 17 26 24 8 114

Number empty 1 1 5 8 5 1 21

Mean stomach content (g) 0.571 0.715 2.226 0.341 3.895 11.594 2.248

Mean fish length (cm) 17 22 28 33 38 41 29

 
Page 117

Table B-50b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic mackerel by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

NEMATODA - [0.2] [0.3] [<0.1] [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA [3.3] [21.0] [1.8] - [0.2]

Sagitta elegans 2.2 11.2 - - 0.2

Chaetognatha unid. 1.1 9.8 1.8 - -

MOLLUSCA [<0.1] [0.5] [2.0] - -

Bivalvia - - (2.0) - -

Cephalopoda (<0.1) (0.5) - - -

POLYCHAETA - [0.1] - - -

CRUSTACEA [96.2] [77.0] [85.2] [95.9] [98.4]

Copepoda (<0.1) (13.1) (83.9) (54.2) -

Calanoida - 6.2 2.1 - -

Centropages sp. - - 81.8 11.5 -

Copepoda unid. <0.1 6.9 - 42.7 -

Cumacea - (<0.1) - - -

Amphipoda (95.5) (12.2) (1.3) (41.7) (96.2)

Hyperia glaba - 0.2 - - -

Parathemisto gaudichaudii - 10.4 1.0 <0.1 -

Parathemisto sp. - 1.4 0.2 41.7 -

Hyperiidae <0.1 0.2 0.1 - -

Gammarus annulatus 95.5 - - - 96.2

Amphipoda unid. - <0.1 - - -

Mysidacea (0.5) (33.5) (<0.1) - -

Mysidopsis bigelowi - 1.4 - - -

Neomysis americana 0.5 32.1 - - -

Mysidacea unid. - <0.1 <0.1 - -

Euphausiacea (0.2) (14.7) (<0.1) - (2.2)

Euphausia krohnii - 4.2 - - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 0.2 10.0 - - 2.2

Euphausiacea unid. - 0.5 <0.1 - -

Decapoda - (2.1) (<0.1) - -

Crangon septemspinosa - <0.1 <0.1 - -

Pagurus sp. - <0.1 - - -

Decapoda larvae - 2.1 <0.1 - -

Crustacea unid. - (1.4) - - -

UROCHORDATA [0.1] [0.1] - - -

Ascidiacea - (0.1) - - -

Urochordata unid. (0.1) (<0.1) - - -

OSTEICHTHYES - [<0.1] [0.2] [2.4] -

Osteichthyes larvae - <0.1 - - -

Osteichthyes unid. - <0.1 0.2 2.4 -

ANIMAL REMAINS [0.2] [1.1] [10.5] [1.7] [0.2]

SAND [0.2] - - - [1.2]

 

Number sampled 24 74 11 4 1

Number empty 11 8 1 1 0

Mean stomach content (g) 6.450 1.083 0.544 1.410 9.628

Mean fish length (cm) 32 27 29 29 39

 
Page 118

Table B-51a. Diet composition and sampling data for butterfish by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 Total

 

CNIDARIA - [8.7] [<0.1] - - [1.4]

CTENOPHORA - [0.3] - - - [0.1]

RHYNCHOCOELA - - [0.3] - - [0.2]

CHAETOGNATHA [0.5] [0.8] [<0.1] [1.0] - [0.6]

Sagitta elegans - 0.5 - 0.3 - 0.2

Sagitta sp. - - <0.1 0.7 - 0.3

Chaetognatha unid. 0.5 0.3 - - - 0.1

MOLLUSCA - [8.1] [29.5] [9.0] [0.3] [18.7]

Thecosomata - (8.1) (29.5) (8.8) - (18.6)

Clione sp. - 7.8 26.6 8.8 - 17.1

Thecosomata unid. - 0.3 2.9 <0.1 - 1.5

Mollusca unid. - - - (0.2) (0.3) (0.1)

POLYCHAETA - [1.9] [2.4] [1.0] [14.7] [2.3]

Glyceridae - - 1.8 - - 0.9

Tomopteris helgolandica - - - 0.2 - 0.1

Tomopteris sp. - - <0.1 0.7 14.7 0.6

Polychaeta unid. - 1.9 0.6 0.1 - 0.7

CRUSTACEA - [2.3] [1.1] [1.9] [5.1] [1.8]

Copepoda - (1.7) (<0.1) (0.2) (4.8) (0.4)

Centropages sp. - 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Copepoda unid. - 1.6 <0.1 0.2 4.8 0.4

Stomatopoda - (0.2) - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - (<0.1) (0.9) (0.5) (0.3) (0.7)

Hyperia glaba - - <0.1 0.2 <0.1 0.1

Parathemisto sp. - <0.1 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3

Ampelisca verrilli - - 0.5 - - 0.3

Mysidacea - (0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Neomysis americana - 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - <0.1

Euphausiacea - (<0.1) (<0.1) (1.2) - (0.4)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - <0.1 <0.1 1.2 - 0.4

Decapoda larvae - (<0.1) (0.2) (<0.1) - (0.1)

Crustacea unid. - (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.2)

UROCHORDATA - [17.7] [38.7] [20.7] [20.6] [29.0]

Ascidiacea - - (11.0) (11.6) - (9.2)

Thaliacea - (8.3) (4.4) (3.8) (6.8) (4.8)

Salpidae - 8.3 3.1 3.5 6.8 4.1

Thaliacea unid. - - 1.3 0.3 - 0.7

Larvacea - (2.8) (<0.1) (0.7) (13.8) (1.0)

Urochordata unid. - (6.6) (23.3) (4.6) - (14.0)

OSTEICHTHYES - [0.2] [<0.1] - - [0.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [99.5] [60.0] [28.0] [66.4] [59.3] [45.8]

 

Number sampled 39 327 282 194 10 852

Number empty 11 32 63 63 3 172

Mean stomach content (g) 0.010 0.067 0.241 0.234 0.301 0.163

Mean fish length (cm) 4 8 12 17 21 11

 
Page 119

Table B-51b. Diet composition and sampling data for butterfish by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Offshore Inshore Inshore

Southern South South North

 Middle New Georges of Cape of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras Hatteras Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA - - - - - [3.1]

CTENOPHORA - - - - - [0.1]

RHYNCHOCOELA - - [14.4] - - [<0.1]

CHAETOGNATHA - [2.1] [13.5] - - -

Sagitta elegans - 0.6 8.8 - - -

Sagitta sp. - 1.5 - - - -

Chaetognatha unid. - - 4.7 - - -

MOLLUSCA [0.7] [0.5] - - - [42.1]

Thecosomata (0.7) (0.1) - - - (42.1)

Clione sp. 0.7 - - - - 38.7

Thecosomata unid. - 0.1 - - - 3.4

Mollusca unid. - (0.4) - - - -

POLYCHAETA - [3.7] - [<0.1] [<0.1] [3.3]

Glyceridae - - - - - 2.0

Tomopteris helgolandica - 0.3 - - - -

Tomopteris sp. - 3.2 - - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. - 0.2 - <0.1 <0.1 1.3

CRUSTACEA [2.6] [3.5] [4.6] [0.1] [<0.1] [1.5]

Copepoda (<0.1) (1.1) (4.0) - (<0.1) (0.5)

Centropages sp. <0.1 <0.1 - - <0.1 <0.1

Copepoda unid. <0.1 1.1 4.0 - <0.1 0.5

Stomatopoda - - - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (<0.1) (2.0) (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.6)

Hyperia glaba <0.1 0.3 - - <0.1 <0.1

Parathemisto sp. <0.1 1.7 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 -

Ampelisca verrilli - - - - - 0.6

Mysidacea - - - - - (0.1)

Neomysis americana - - - - - <0.1

Euphausiacea (2.6) (<0.1) - (0.1) - (<0.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 2.6 <0.1 - 0.1 - <0.1

Decapoda larvae - (0.2) (0.3) - - (0.2)

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (0.2) - (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.1)

UROCHORDATA [20.5] [46.0] - [80.8] [59.8] [3.8]

Ascidiacea - (30.8) - - (32.1) -

Thaliacea (17.6) (8.5) - (2.1) (0.3) (1.3)

Salpidae 13.1 8.0 - 2.1 0.3 1.3

Thaliacea unid. 4.5 0.5 ----

Larvacea - (3.1) - - - (1.0)

Urochordata unid. (2.9) (3.6) - (78.7) (27.4) (1.5)

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] - - - [0.3] [<0.1]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [76.2] [44.2] [67.5] [19.1] [39.9] [46.1]

 

Number sampled 91 174 56 20 85 426

Number empty 22 57 24 0 25 44

Mean stomach content (g) 0.217 0.137 0.025 0.793 0.197 0.144

Mean fish length (cm) 13 14 11 11 14 10

 
Page 120

Table B-52a. Diet composition and sampling data for Gulf Stream flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-

80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 Total

 

POLYCHAETA [35.3] [36.7] [54.9] [31.6] [47.2]

Nicomache lumbricalis - - 5.8 - 3.4

Maldanidae - 5.7 - - 2.3

Eunicidae 35.3 <0.1 - - 0.2

Lumbrineris sp. - 5.4 - - 2.1

Lumbrineridae - 8.0 1.1 - 3.8

Ophelina sp. - - 2.2 - 1.3

Nephtyidae - 4.1 22.1 - 14.4

Sthenelais limicola - - 3.8 - 2.2

Sabellidae - - 1.7 - 1.0

Polychaeta unid. - 13.5 18.2 31.6 16.5

CRUSTACEA [64.7] [55.4] [31.5] [35.5] [41.3]

Stomatopoda - (5.5) - - (2.2)

Platysquilla enodis - 4.6 - - 1.8

Stomatopoda unid. - 0.9 - - 0.4

Cumacea - (0.8) (0.8) (2.6) (0.8)

Amphipoda (64.7) (36.7) (13.7) (14.5) (23.1)

Ampelisca agassizi - 3.5 0.3 - 1.6

Ampelisca sp. - 1.1 1.0 - 1.0

Byblis serrata - 2.8 0.2 - 1.2

Ampeliscidae - 2.4 0.3 - 1.1

Ericthonius sp. - 3.6 <0.1 - 1.5

Unciola sp. 17.6 9.2 6.0 1.3 7.2

Casco bigelowi - 1.4 - - 0.5

Oedicerotidae - 1.2 0.1 - 1.3

Leptocheirus pinguis - 2.8 3.7 13.2 3.5

Amphipoda unid. 47.1 8.7 2.1 - 4.2

Decapoda - (9.8) (5.1) (18.4) (7.2)

Crangon septemspinosa - 0.3 0.9 - 0.6

Munida sp. - 2.1 0.5 - 1.1

Majidae - - 1.7 - 1.0

Cancer irroratus - 3.5 0.7 11.8 2.0

Cancridae - 2.5 0.4 - 1.2

Decapoda larvae - <0.1 0.6 6.6 0.5

Decapoda unid. - 1.4 0.3 - 0.8

Crustacea unid. - (2.6) (11.9) - (8.0)

ECHINODERMATA - [1.9] [2.5] [23.7] [2.7]

Ophiura sp. - 1.5 0.2 - 0.7

Ophiuroidea - 0.4 2.3 23.7 2.0

OSTEICHTHYES - - [7.8] - [4.6]

Gadidae - - 6.0 - 3.5

Osteichthyes larvae and eggs - - 1.8 - 1.1

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [6.0] [3.3] [9.2] [4.2]

 

Number sampled 4 124 77 19 224

Number empty 0 26 27 10 63

Mean stomach content (g) 0.004 0.013 0.030 0.004 0.018

Mean fish length (cm) 4 8 12 16 10

 
Page 121

Table B-52b. Diet composition and sampling data for Gulf Stream flounder by geographic area. (Samples

gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight.

Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Southern

 Middle New Georges

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank 

 

POLYCHAETA [61.0] [43.2] [46.4]

Nicomache lumbricalis 16.7 - -

Maldanidae - 3.4 -

Eunicidae 0.9 - -

Lumbrineris sp. 2.4 2.4 0.8

Lumbrineridae 0.5 5.6 -

Ophelina sp. 6.2 - -

Nephtyidae 5.5 17.6 12.2

Sthenelais limicola - - 16.7

Polychaeta unid. 28.8 14.2 16.7

CRUSTACEA [34.2] [42.1] [47.9]

Stomatopoda (3.0) (2.4) -

Platysquilla enodis 3.0 1.8 -

Stomatopoda unid. - 0.6 -

Cumacea (1.5) (0.2) (2.6)

Amphipoda (26.1) (19.2) (38.1)

Ampelisca agassizi 3.0 0.5 4.5

Ampelisca sp. 3.7 - 2.1

Byblis serrata 0.7 1.6 -

Ampeliscidae - 0.7 5.1

Ericthonius sp. 0.5 0.8 6.2

Unciola sp. 7.5 7.6 4.6

Casco bigelowi 1.5 0.4 -

Oedicerotidae 6.3 - -

Leptocheirus pinguis - 5.3 -

Amphipoda unid. 2.9 2.3 15.6

Decapoda (2.5) (9.0) (5.6)

Crangon septemspinosa - 0.9 -

Munida sp. - 1.7 -

Majidae - 1.5 -

Cancer irroratus - 3.1 -

Cancridae 1.3 1.0 1.7

Decapoda larvae 0.1 0.4 1.9

Decapoda unid. 1.1 0.4 2.0

Crustacea unid. (1.1) (11.3) (1.6)

ECHINODERMATA - [4.1] -

Ophiura sp. - 1.1 -

Ophiuroidea - 3.0 -

OSTEICHTHYES - [6.8] -

Gadidae - 5.2 -

Osteichthyes larvae and eggs - 1.6 -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [4.8] [3.8] [5.7]

 

Number sampled 66 129 29

Number empty 20 37 6

Mean stomach content (g) 0.012 0.021 0.018

Mean fish length (cm) 8 11 10

 
Page 122

Table B-53a. Diet composition and sampling data for summer flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <21 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 51-55 56-60 >60 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - - [4.9] [27.1] [1.5] [19.1] [26.2] [64.5] [38.3] [34.2]

Illex sp. - - - 10.2 - - - - 31.5 9.4

Loligo pealeii - - - 3.8 - 12.2 12.7 51.1 - 16.3

Loligo sp. - - - - - 2.3 - 3.4 - 1.2

Lolliguncula brevis - - - 2.4 - - - - - 0.1

Cephalopoda unid. - - 4.9 10.7 1.5 4.6 13.5 10.0 6.8 7.2

CRUSTACEA [43.3] [41.8] [18.6] [22.4] [6.5] [8.8] [1.1] - [0.9] [4.4]

Stomatopoda - (5.5) - (0.3) - - - - - (<0.1)

Amphipoda - - (1.6) (0.7) (1.0) - - - - (0.2)

Mysidacea (0.6) (24.1) (12.3) (12.1) (2.2) (0.7) (0.3) - (0.9) (2.0)

Neomysis americana 0.6 24.1 12.3 12.1 2.2 0.7 0.3 - 0.9 2.0

Euphausiacea - - - (6.0) - - - - - (0.3)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - 6.0 - - - - - 0.3

Decapoda (42.7) (12.0) (4.7) (2.8) (3.3) (7.3) (0.8) - - (1.8)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - - 1.9 - - - 0.2

Crangon septemspinosa 9.0 4.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 <0.1 - - - 0.1

Cancer irroratus 33.2 2.1 1.8 2.5 1.3 3.0 - - - 0.8

Cancridae - - 1.7 <0.1 - - 0.8 - - 0.1

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - 1.8 2.4 - - - 0.5

Decapoda unid. 0.5 5.6 0.9 - - - - - - 0.1

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (0.2) - (0.5) - (0.8) - - - (0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [56.6] [58.2] [75.7] [49.8] [91.9] [70.9] [72.7] [35.5] [60.6] [61.1]

Batrachoididae - - - - - - - - 5.5 1.6

Etrumeus teres - 35.1 - - 12.5 4.0 - - - 2.9

Clupeidae - - - - - 5.5 - 13.4 - 4.2

Anchoa hepsetus - - 7.6 - - 1.9 - - - 0.4

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - - - - - 1.3 0.4

Anchoa sp. - 6.4 - - - - - - - 0.1

Engraulidae - - - - - - 0.3 2.1 - 0.6

Cyprinodon variegatus - - - - - - 2.2 - - 0.2

Merluccius bilinearis 54.0 - - 4.6 - - - - - 0.3

Gadidae - - - - - 0.7 - - - 0.1

Ophidiidae - - - - - 7.6 - - - 0.8

Ammodytes dubius - - 34.0 12.1 58.2 27.3 43.2 12.8 4.5 22.3

Triglops murrayi - - - - 1.9 - - - - 0.3

Cynoscion regalis - - - 6.0 - 2.4 - - - 0.6

Ulvaria subbifurcata - - - 1.3 - - - - - 0.1

Macrozoarces americanus - 2.9 - - - - - - - <0.1

Paralichthys sp. - - - 3.5 - - - - - 0.2

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - 4.9 - - - - - 0.2

Bothidae - - 5.4 0.8 - <0.1 - - - 0.2

Osteichthyes unid. 2.6 13.8 28.7 16.6 19.3 21.5 27.0 7.2 49.3 25.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.1] [<0.1] [0.8] [0.7] [0.1] [1.2] - - [0.2] [0.3]

 

Number sampled 22 76 135 113 111 80 52 44 22 655

Number empty 16 53 84 74 66 44 30 25 10 402

Mean stomach content (g) 0.167 0.363 0.427 0.881 2.828 2.659 3.503 12.155 25.717 3.050

Mean fish length (cm) 18 23 27 32 38 42 47 53 64 35

 
Page 123

Table B-53b. Diet composition and sampling data for summer flounder by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon

subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

Southern South North

 Middle New Georges Gulf of of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Hatteras Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA [1.3] [55.6] - - - [31.1]

Illex sp. - 23.7 - - - 1.2

Loligo pealeii - 24.4 - - - 16.9

Loligo sp. - 2.4 - - - 0.6

Lolliguncula brevis 0.8 - - - - -

Cephalopoda unid. 0.5 5.1 - - - 12.4

CRUSTACEA [3.0] [0.8] - [100.0] [9.6] [7.8]

Stomatopoda - - - - (4.4) (<0.1)

Amphipoda - - - - - (0.5)

Mysidacea (0.6) - - - (<0.1) (4.5)

Neomysis americana 0.6 - - - <0.1 4.5

Euphausiacea - - - (100.0) - -

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - 100.0 - -

Decapoda (2.4) (0.6) - - (5.2) (2.8)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus 0.3 0.4 - - - -

Crangon septemspinosa 0.2 <0.1 - - 3.2 0.2

Cancer irroratus 1.7 - - - 0.9 1.2

Ovalipes ocellatus - - - - - 1.3

Decapoda unid. 0.2 0.2 - - 1.1 0.1

Crustacea unid. - (0.2) - - (<0.1) (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [95.7] [43.2] [100.0] - [90.2] [60.3]

Batrachoididae - - 44.8 - - -

Etrumeus teres - - - - - 6.8

Clupeidae 22.6 1.6 - - - -

Anchoa hepsetus - - - - 24.5 0.7

Anchoa mitchilli - - - - - 0.9

Anchoa sp. - - - - - 0.2

Engraulidae - - - - - 1.4

Cyprinodon variegatus - 0.5 - - - -

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - - 0.8

Gadidae 0.5 - - - - -

Ophidiidae - 2.1 - - - -

Ammodytes dubius 60.2 7.6 54.6 - - 18.9

Triglops murrayi - - - - 50.6 -

Cynoscion regalis - - - - - 1.3

Ulvaria subbifurcata 0.4 - - - - -

Macrozoarces americanus - - - - - <0.1

Paralichthys sp. - - - - - 0.4

Scophthalmus aquosus - - - - - 0.6

Bothidae - - - - - 0.5

Osteichthyes unid. 12.0 31.4 0.6 - 15.1 27.8

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [<0.1] [0.4] - - [0.2] [0.8]

 

Number sampled 139 88 9 1 74 350

Number empty 98 65 5 0 62 177

Mean stomach content (g) 2.274 8.534 7.776 5.995 0.161 2.409

Mean fish length (cm) 36 48 56 34 27 34

 
Page 124

Table B-54a. Diet composition and sampling data for fourspot flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

MOLLUSCA - - - [<0.1] [20.1] [89.3] [100.0] [54.6]

Bivalvia - - - - - (0.6) - (0.3)

Cephalopoda - - - (<0.1) (20.1) (88.7) (100.0) (54.3)

Loligo sp. - - - - - 17.6 - 7.2

Sepiolidae - - - - 20.1 - - 3.0

Octopoda ------ 100.0 15.2

Cephalopoda unid. - - - <0.1 - 71.1 - 28.9

POLYCHAETA - [38.5] - [2.7] [5.9] - - [2.0]

Aphroditidae - - - 1.0 - - - 0.2

Sabellidae - - - 0.6 1.3 - - 0.4

Asabellides oculata - 38.5 - - - - - 0.4

Polychaeta unid. - - - 1.1 4.6 - - 1.0

SIPUNCULA - - - [1.1] - - - [0.3]

Golfingia sp. - - - 1.1 - - - 0.3

CRUSTACEA [62.1] [35.3] [41.5] [68.4] [44.7] [10.7] - [29.8]

Amphipoda - - (4.9) (2.0) (0.3) - - (0.8)

Mysidacea (30.9) (0.9) - - (1.4) - - (0.3)

Neomysis americana 17.9 - - - 1.4 - - 0.3

Mysidacea unid. 13.0 0.9 - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda (28.8) (34.4) (33.0) (61.2) (43.0) (10.7) - (27.3)

Hippolytidae - - 1.3 - - - - 0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - 19.1 10.4 5.3 1.2 - 4.6

Pandalidae 7.4 - - 2.3 - - - 0.6

Crangon septemspinosa 9.1 12.6 2.2 5.8 9.0 <0.1 - 3.0

Munida iris - - - 8.1 - - - 1.9

Munida sp. - 0.5 1.1 - - 3.3 - 1.4

Cancer irroratus - 21.3 8.5 32.0 27.1 2.2 - 13.1

Cancridae - - - 0.7 0.6 - - 0.3

Albunea sp. - - - 1.0 0.6 2.2 - 1.2

Decapoda unid. 12.3 - 0.8 0.9 0.4 1.8 - 1.1

Crustacea unid. (2.4) - (3.6) (5.2) (<0.1) - - (1.4)

OSTEICHTHYES [37.9] [26.2] [55.1] [21.4] [26.6] [<0.1] - [11.8]

Gadus morhua - 26.2 - 10.8 - - - 2.8

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - 23.4 - - 3.5

Ophidiidae - - - 7.6 - - - 1.8

Peprilus triacanthus - - - - 1.0 - - 0.1

Bothidae - - 43.7 - - - - 1.9

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Pleuronectidae - - - 0.2 - - - 0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 37.9 - 11.4 2.8 2.2 <0.1 - 1.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - - [3.4] [6.4] [2.7] - - [1.5]

 

Number sampled 5 14 24 71 50 13 1 178

Number empty 0 6 8 26 23 5 0 68

Mean stomach content (g) 0.057 0.084 0.210 0.399 0.352 3.721 18.040 0.668

Mean fish length (cm) 14 17 23 28 32 37 42 28

 
Page 125

Table B-54b. Diet composition and sampling data for fourspot flounder by geographic area. (Samples

gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight.

Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Southern

 Middle New Georges

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank 

 

MOLLUSCA [1.4] [45.3] [73.1]

Bivalvia (1.4) - -

Cephalopoda - (45.3) (73.1)

Loligo sp. - 32.0 -

Sepiolidae - 13.3 -

Octopoda - - 25.2

Cephalopoda unid. - - 47.9

POLYCHAETA [6.0] [4.1] -

Aphroditidae - 1.1 -

Sabellidae - 1.6 -

Asabellides oculata 2.2 - -

Polychaeta unid. 3.8 1.4 -

SIPUNCULA - [1.2] -

Golfingia sp. - 1.2 -

CRUSTACEA [50.2] [24.7] [25.2]

Amphipoda (<0.1) (2.4) (0.4)

Mysidacea (1.4) (0.2) -

Neomysis americana 1.4 - -

Mysidacea unid. - 0.2 -

Decapoda (48.8) (20.9) (22.9)

Hippolytidae - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 4.9 5.7

Pandalidae 0.1 <0.1 0.9

Crangon septemspinosa 7.1 3.8 1.5

Munida iris 11.2 - -

Munida sp. 7.9 - <0.1

Cancer irroratus 20.2 11.8 11.5

Cancridae 0.9 0.4 -

Albunea sp. - - 2.0

Decapoda unid. 1.4 <0.1 1.3

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (1.2) (1.9)

OSTEICHTHYES [41.6] [19.5] [0.3]

Gadus morhua - 12.6 -

Merluccius bilinearis 16.7 2.6 -

Ophidiidae 10.5 - -

Peprilus triacanthus - 0.6 -

Bothidae 10.7 - -

Pleuronectes ferruginus - <0.1 -

Pleuronectidae 0.3 - -

Osteichthyes larvae - <0.1 -

Osteichthyes unid. 3.4 3.7 0.3

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.8] [5.2] [1.4]

 

Number sampled 28 90 60

Number empty 4 44 20

Mean stomach content (g) 0.733 0.296 1.195

Mean fish length (cm) 26 28 28

 
Page 126

Table B-55a. Diet composition and sampling data for windowpane by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Total

 

CHAETOGNATHA - - - - [<0.1] [0.1] [0.3] [3.5] - [0.2]

POLYCHAETA - - [0.1] [6.5] [0.6] [0.3] [3.2] [1.4] - [0.9]

Diopatra cuprea - - - - - - 2.0 - - 0.2

Ampharetidae - - - 1.2 - 0.2 - - - 0.1

Polychaeta unid. - - 0.1 5.3 0.6 0.1 1.2 1.4 - 0.6

CRUSTACEA [100.0] [100.0] [99.1] [82.2] [69.0] [63.5] [63.1] [35.6] [9.0] [65.9]

Cumacea - (<0.1) - (<0.1) (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (4.0) (0.1)

Isopoda - - (<0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1) (0.2) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (8.8) - (2.5) (1.4) (8.4) (7.4) (10.7) (6.3) - (7.8)

Gammarus annulatus - - 0.7 0.3 4.8 5.4 8.2 0.3 - 5.2

Gammarus lawrencianus - - 1.4 - - <0.1 - - - <0.1

Gammarus sp. - - - <0.1 <0.1 0.6 1.2 - - 0.5

Oedicerotidae - - 0.4 - 0.3 0.2 <0.1 0.2 - 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - - - 1.1 3.0 0.7 - - - 1.2

Amphipoda unid. 8.8 - - <0.1 0.3 0.5 1.3 5.8 - 0.7

Mysidacea (84.8) (95.0) (81.3) (76.1) (41.8) (40.4) (34.6) (9.2) - (41.7)

Mysidopsis bigelowi - - - 11.9 0.6 <0.1 <0.1 0.4 - 0.6

Neomysis americana 84.8 94.6 45.6 60.6 41.2 40.0 34.6 8.8 - 40.3

Mysidacea unid. - 0.4 35.7 3.6 <0.1 0.4 <0.1 - - 0.8

Euphausiacea (4.0) (0.3) (5.2) - (0.6) (1.5) (0.8) - - (1.1)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica 4.0 0.3 5.2 - 0.6 1.5 0.8 - - 1.1

Decapoda - (0.8) (9.3) (4.7) (15.5) (13.6) (15.9) (19.6) - (14.3)

Acetes americanus - - 0.6 - - - - - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - - 0.4 0.2 1.8 4.3 - 0.5

Pandalidae - - - - 1.2 0.1 0.2 - - 0.4

Crangon septemspinosa - 0.8 1.6 4.7 10.4 11.8 13.6 13.8 - 11.3

Crangonidae - - - - 0.9 <0.1 <0.1 1.5 - 0.3

Decapoda larvae - - 7.1 <0.1 2.1 1.4 - - - 1.4

Decapoda unid. - - <0.1 <0.1 0.5 0.1 0.3 - - 0.4

Crustacea unid. (2.4) (3.9) (0.8) (<0.1) (2.5) (0.6) (1.1) (0.3) (5.0) (0.9)

SALPIDAE - - - [1.1] - - - - - [<0.1]

OSTEICHTHYES - - [<0.1] [9.3] [28.0] [34.6] [31.0] [59.2] [31.0] [31.4]

Ophichthus cruentifer - - - - - <0.1 - - - 0.1

Engraulidae - - - - 3.9 5.6 1.1 - - 4.3

Brosme brosme - - - - - 0.4 - 11.4 - 0.4

Merluccius bilinearis - - - - 6.6 1.2 0.7 - - 2.4

Gadidae - - - - <0.1 0.6 - - - 0.3

Syngnathidae - - - - 0.2 <0.1 - - - <0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - - 3.4 9.0 20.3 28.0 47.8 - 17.8

Pleuronectiformes - - - - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes larvae - - - 1.7 0.4 1.9 <0.1 - - 1.2

Osteichthyes unid. - - <0.1 4.2 7.9 4.6 1.2 - 31.0 4.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - - [0.8] [0.9] [2.4] [1.5] [2.4] [0.3] [60.0] [1.6]

 

Number sampled 22 32 43 102 376 401 103 12 1 1092

Number empty 9 5 8 28 153 133 40 3 0 379

Mean stomach content (g) 0.006 0.074 0.187 0.264 0.478 1.007 0.785 0.946 0.100 0.653

Mean fish length (cm) 4 7 13 18 23 27 32 37 41 24

 
Page 127

Table B-55b. Diet composition and sampling data for windowpane by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate

minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore Inshore

Southern South North

 Middle New Georges of Cape of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Hatteras Hatteras

 

CHAETOGNATHA [0.1] [<0.1] [2.5] - -

POLYCHAETA [0.5] [0.5] [2.3] - [0.9]

Diopatra cuprea - - - - 0.4

Ampharetidae - 0.5 - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 0.5 <0.1 2.3 - 0.5

CRUSTACEA [42.5] [73.7] [18.5] [100.0] [75.3]

Cumacea (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.2)

Isopoda - (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Amphipoda (0.3) (19.0) (1.7) - (7.1)

Gammarus annulatus - 16.9 - - 3.6

Gammarus sp. <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.9

Oedicerotidae <0.1 - 0.1 - 0.3

Leptocheirus pinguis - 1.5 - - 1.6

Amphipoda unid. 0.3 0.6 1.6 - 0.7

Mysidacea (27.6) (21.3) (0.6) - (57.3)

Mysidopsis bigelowi <0.1 <0.1 0.3 - 1.1

Neomysis americana 27.6 21.3 0.2 - 54.8

Mysidacea unid. <0.1 <0.1 0.1 - 1.4

Euphausiacea - - - - (2.0)

Meganyctiphanes norvegica - - - - 2.0

Decapoda (14.6) (32.7) (15.3) (100.0) (7.5)

Acetes americanus - - - 8.2 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus <0.1 2.6 - - -

Pandalidae - 0.2 0.8 - 0.5

Crangon septemspinosa 6.8 29.3 14.3 - 6.5

Crangonidae <0.1 0.1 0.2 - 0.4

Decapoda larvae 7.1 - - 91.8 <0.1

Decapoda unid. 0.7 0.5 <0.1 - 0.1

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (0.7) (0.9) - (1.2)

SALPIDAE - - - - [<0.1]

OSTEICHTHYES [55.7] [23.6] [71.6] - [22.1]

Ophichthus cruentifer 0.3 - - - -

Engraulidae - - - - 7.6

Brosme brosme - - - - 0.7

Merluccius bilinearis 0.7 - - - 4.0

Gadidae - <0.1 - - 0.6

Syngnathidae - - - - <0.1

Ammodytes dubius 45.0 20.2 70.1 - 2.8

Pleuronectiformes 0.1 - - - -

Osteichthyes larvae 0.3 0.2 - - 2.0

Osteichthyes unid. 9.3 3.2 1.5 - 4.4

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [1.2] [2.2] [5.1] - [1.7]

 

Number sampled 224 132 88 12 637

Number empty 120 45 38 4 174

Mean stomach content (g) 0.590 1.013 0.473 0.052 0.636

Mean fish length (cm) 25 26 28 12 22

 
Page 128

Table B-56a. Diet composition and sampling data for witch flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <26 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 Total

 

MOLLUSCA [0.1] - [0.3] [12.6] [2.9] [0.6] [2.7] [0.1] - [2.3]

Gastropoda - - - (1.5) (<0.1) - (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.1)

Bivalvia (0.1) - (0.3) (11.1) (2.9) (0.6) (2.7) (0.1) - (2.2)

Yoldia limatula - - - - - - 1.9 - - 0.7

Yoldia sp. - - - 11.1 - 0.6 <0.1 - - 0.9

Bivalvia unid. 0.1 - 0.3 - 2.9 <0.1 0.8 0.1 - 0.6

POLYCHAETA [81.3] [96.0] [92.2] [81.1] [87.5] [84.7] [82.3] [86.3] [99.9] [85.7]

Capitellidae - 2.6 - - 0.8 10.3 4.2 0.8 - 3.9

Arabellidae - - - - - 4.7 - - - 1.2

Eunice pennata - - - - - 4.1 - - - 0.8

Lumbrineris fragilis - 8.3 7.5 - - 1.6 3.8 <0.1 - 2.3

Lumbrineris sp. - - <0.1 - 3.7 - - - - 0.3

Ninoe brevipes - - - - - - - 11.7 - 1.9

Lumbrineridae 37.4 0.9 8.3 4.9 <0.1 0.7 1.1 <0.1 2.4 1.9

Onuphis nebulosa - - - - - 1.3 - - - 0.3

Ophelina sp. - <0.1 - - - - - 1.4 - 0.2

Glycera dibranchiata - - - 32.0 - - - - - 2.3

Goniada maculata - 1.0 - 1.0 - - 0.4 - - 0.2

Goniada norvegica - - - - - - - 9.5 - 1.6

Goniada sp. - - - - 5.8 0.3 <0.1 10.5 <0.1 2.3

Ophioglycera gigantea - - - - - 18.9 - - - 3.8

Goniadidae - 0.5 - 8.7 - - - - - 0.6

Nephtys sp. - - 42.9 0.9 2.8 - 0.7 0.1 - 2.8

Nephtyidae - - 1.4 3.8 1.1 0.8 0.1 0.2 - 0.7

Sabellidae - - 1.6 <0.1 - <0.1 0.8 <0.1 - 0.4

Spio sp. - - - - - - 0.5 - 3.2 0.6

Spionidae - - - 2.8 - 0.7 0.2 4.7 - 1.2

Sternaspis scutata - - - - - 0.7 1.5 1.8 5.1 1.2

Sternaspidae - 5.8 - 3.3 - - - 4.4 - 1.1

Terebellidae - - - - 5.3 - - - - 0.4

Polychaeta unid. 43.9 76.9 30.5 23.7 68.0 40.6 69.0 41.2 89.2 53.7

CRUSTACEA [6.3] [0.6] [2.1] [4.1] [1.2] [2.7] [4.6] [1.4] - [3.4]

Isopoda - - - - - - (1.5) (0.5) - (0.6)

Amphipoda (5.5) (0.5) (2.1) (4.1) (0.2) (2.2) (2.7) (0.9) - (2.4)

Byblis serrata 3.4 - 0.5 - - - 1.8 - - 0.7

Casco bigelowi 1.1 - 0.9 - - 1.2 <0.1 0.2 - 0.4

Amphipoda unid. 1.0 0.5 0.7 4.1 0.2 1.0 0.9 0.7 - 1.3

Crustacea unid. (0.8) (0.1) - (<0.1) (1.0) (0.5) (0.4) - - (0.4)

ECHINODERMATA - - - - [0.2] [1.3] [2.6] [7.2] - [2.4]

Dendrochirotida - - - - - - 2.6 - - 0.9

Holothuroidea - - - - 0.2 1.3 - 7.2 - 1.5

ASCIDIACEA [12.3] - [0.3] - [<0.1] [1.2] [0.1] - - [0.5]

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.4] [5.1] [2.2] [8.2] [9.5] [7.7] [5.0] [0.1] [5.7]

 

Number sampled 6 10 10 9 13 28 39 13 2 130

Number empty 2 1 0 0 1 6 9 1 1 21

Mean stomach content (g) 0.143 0.194 0.463 0.717 0.534 0.641 0.841 1.131 1.817 0.692

Mean fish length (cm) 21 28 32 37 44 47 53 57 62 45

 
Page 129

Table B-56b. Diet composition and sampling data for witch flounder by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

 North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

MOLLUSCA [2.1] [2.2] [25.2] [2.1]

Gastropoda - (0.2) - -

Bivalvia (2.1) (2.0) (25.2) (2.1)

Yoldia limatula - - - 1.9

Yoldia sp. 0.2 1.8 - -

Bivalvia unid. 1.9 0.2 25.2 0.2

POLYCHAETA [76.7] [82.6] [74.7] [90.7]

Capitellidae 0.7 7.2 - -

Arabellidae - 1.8 - -

Eunice pennata - 1.6 - -

Lumbrineris fragilis 11.4 1.3 - 1.4

Lumbrineris sp. 3.1 - - -

Ninoe brevipes - - - 5.1

Lumbrineridae 0.1 2.7 1.5 1.2

Onuphis nebulosa - 0.5 - -

Ophelina sp. - <0.1 - 0.6

Glycera dibranchiata 24.1 - - -

Goniada maculata - 0.2 - 0.4

Goniada sp. 22.8 0.1 - 4.2

Ophioglycera gigantea - 7.2 - -

Goniadidae - 1.3 - -

Nephtys sp. - 4.5 - 1.0

Nephtyidae 0.5 <0.1 34.5 0.8

Sabellidae - 0.8 - -

Spio sp. - - - 0.9

Spionidae - 0.4 - 2.6

Sternaspis scutata - <0.1 - 3.0

Sternaspidae 7.5 0.2 29.8 <0.1

Terebellidae - 0.8 - -

Polychaeta unid. 6.5 52.0 8.9 69.5

CRUSTACEA [11.2] [1.9] - [2.4]

Isopoda (0.9) - - (1.4)

Amphipoda (10.3) (1.4) - (0.9)

Byblis serrata 6.6 0.1 - <0.1

Casco bigelowi 0.4 0.1 - 0.7

Amphipoda unid. 3.3 1.2 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. - (0.5) - (0.1)

ECHINODERMATA [6.3] [3.4] - -

Dendrochirotida - 1.8 - -

Holothuroidea 6.3 1.6 - -

ASCIDIACEA - [0.8] - -

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [3.7] [9.1] [0.1] [4.8]

 

Number sampled 6 87 2 36

Number empty 0 17 0 4

Mean stomach content (g) 1.427 0.541 0.359 0.933

Mean fish length (cm) 39 44 40 48

 
Page 130

Table B-57a. Diet composition and sampling data for American plaice by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <16 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 >50 Total

 

ANTHOZOA - - - [1.8] [4.3] - - - - [0.7]

NEMATODA [1.8] [2.5] [11.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] - - - [0.5]

MOLLUSCA - - [0.2] [<0.1] [34.6] [24.3] [12.2] [29.8] [16.8] [20.3]

Bivalvia - - (0.2) (<0.1) (34.6) (24.3) (12.2) (24.4) (11.9) (17.7)

Chlamys islandica - - - - - - - - 7.6 2.5

Arctica islandica - - - - 0.4 - - - 4.3 1.4

Cyclocardia borealis - - - - - - 11.2 - - 1.3

Bivalvia unid. - - 0.2 <0.1 34.2 24.3 1.0 24.4 <0.1 12.5

Mollusca unid. - - - - - - - (5.4) (4.9) (2.6)

POLYCHAETA [5.2] [8.1] [2.5] [5.0] [1.4] [4.3] [3.3] - [5.8] [2.2]

Lumbrineridae <0.1 0.9 - <0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Nephtys sp. - - - 0.7 0.4 - - - - 0.1

Nephtyidae 3.4 - 2.4 - - - - - - 0.2

Spionidae 0.4 0.8 <0.1 1.7 <0.1 0.9 0.4 - 0.3 0.4

Terebellidae - - - - - 0.4 - - - <0.1

Polychaeta unid. 1.4 6.4 0.1 2.6 1.0 3.0 2.9 - 5.5 1.5

CRUSTACEA [0.4] [2.1] [14.7] [8.3] [17.1] [13.0] [3.0] [0.7] [0.2] [5.2]

Isopoda - - - (0.1) - - - - - (<0.1)

Chiridotea sp. - - - 0.1 - - - - - <0.1

Amphipoda (0.2) (0.2) - (1.8) (0.9) (0.5) - (0.7) - (0.5)

Unciola irrorata 0.2 - - - - - - - - <0.1

Monoculodes intermedius - 0.2 - - - - - - - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis - - - 1.8 0.9 - - 0.7 - 0.4

Gammaridea <0.1 - - - <0.1 0.5 - <0.1 - 0.1

Euphausiacea - - - - - (7.9) - - - (0.7)

Decapoda (0.2) - (14.7) (6.4) (16.2) (4.6) (3.0) - (0.2) (4.0)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - - - 2.8 - - 3.0 - - 0.6

Pandalidae - - - - 16.2 4.6 - - - 2.5

Crangon septemspinosa - - 13.6 3.6 - - - - - 0.8

Crangonidae 0.2 - - - - - - - - <0.1

Decapoda unid. - - 1.1 - - - - - 0.2 0.1

Crustacea unid. - (1.9) - - (<0.1) - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

ECHINODERMATA [4.1] [3.2] [0.7] [26.4] [26.3] [41.8] [64.9] [68.3] [62.0] [49.8]

Echinoidea - - - (1.8) (3.2) (1.1) (0.5) (17.2) (1.6) (4.5)

Echinarachnius parma - - - - - - - 16.5 - 3.1

Echinoidea unid. - - - 1.8 3.2 1.1 0.5 0.7 1.6 1.4

Ophiuroidea (4.1) (2.4) (0.7) (24.6) (23.1) (40.7) (64.4) (20.3) (60.4) (39.5)

Ophiura robusta - - - - 3.8 - - - - 0.5

Ophiura sarsi - 1.9 - 18.3 3.4 8.7 56.7 17.4 6.4 14.5

Ophiuroidea unid. 4.1 0.5 0.7 6.3 15.9 32.0 7.7 2.9 54.0 24.5

Echinodermata unid. - (0.8) - - - - - (30.8) - (5.8)

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [88.5] [25.6] [64.1] [34.7] [16.3] [16.3] [16.6] [1.2] [7.3] [15.9]

SAND AND ROCK - [58.5] [6.7] [23.8] - [0.3] - - [7.9] [5.4]

 

Number sampled 30 22 35 51 53 34 33 19 23 300

Number empty 12 9 19 27 24 18 21 10 7 147

Mean stomach content (g) 0.153 0.077 0.157 0.250 0.366 0.418 0.530 1.546 2.187 0.518

Mean fish length (cm) 12 18 23 28 32 37 42 47 55 32

 
Page 131

Table B-57b. Diet composition and sampling data for American plaice by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-

80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon

subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

 North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

ANTHOZOA [0.8] - - [2.9]

NEMATODA - [0.1] - [2.3]

MOLLUSCA [0.4] [26.4] [61.2] [<0.1]

Bivalvia (0.4) (24.6) (37.3) (<0.1)

Chlamys islandica - - 37.3 -

Arctica islandica 0.3 2.5 - -

Cyclocardia borealis - 2.2 - -

Bivalvia unid. 0.1 19.9 - <0.1

Mollusca unid. - (1.8) (23.9) -

POLYCHAETA [0.5] [1.0] - [7.9]

Lumbrineridae - <0.1 - <0.1

Nephtys sp. - <0.1 - 0.3

Nephtyidae - - - 1.0

Spionidae - <0.1 - 1.9

Terebellidae - - - 0.2

Polychaeta unid. 0.5 1.0 - 4.5

CRUSTACEA [2.3] [2.3] - [17.6]

Isopoda <(0.1) - - -

Chiridotea sp. <0.1 - - -

Amphipoda (2.2) (<0.1) - (0.2)

Unciola irrorata <0.1 - - -

Monoculodes intermedius - - - <0.1

Leptocheirus pinguis 2.2 - - -

Gammaridea <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Euphausiacea - (1.3) - -

Decapoda (0.1) (1.0) - (17.4)

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 1.0 - -

Pandalidae - - - 13.2

Crangon septemspinosa 0.1 - - 4.0

Decapoda unid. - <0.1 - 0.2

Crustacea unid. - (<0.1) - -

ECHINODERMATA [92.3] [42.4] - [47.5]

Echinoidea (16.9) (2.4) - -

Echinarachnius parma 16.9 - - -

Echinoidea unid. - 2.4 - -

Ophiuroidea (75.4) (40.0) - (16.0)

Ophiura robusta - - - 2.5

Ophiura sarsi - 24.2 - 4.6

Ophiuroidea unid. 75.4 15.8 - 8.9

Echinodermata unid. - (<0.1) - (31.5)

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [3.6] [25.3] - [14.3]

SAND AND ROCK [0.1] [2.5] [38.8] [7.5]

 

Number sampled 17 186 6 91

Number empty 4 92 5 46

Mean stomach content (g) 1.689 0.471 1.717 0.315

Mean fish length (cm) 27 33 40 30

 
Page 132

Table B-58a. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic halibut by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor

taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <31 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 >70 Total

 

CEPHALOPODA - - - [0.6] [42.7] [14.8] [18.5]

Illex illecebrosus - - - - - 6.5 4.4

Illex sp. - - - - 19.5 7.7 9.0

Octopoda - - - - 4.2 - 0.9

Cephalopoda unid. - - - 0.6 19.0 0.6 4.2

CRUSTACEA [23.4] [83.0] [79.0] [79.1] [7.4] [5.9] [15.4]

Amphipoda (0.1) (<0.1) - - (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1)

Mysidacea - - (<0.1) - (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Euphausiacea - - - (<0.1) - - (<0.1)

Decapoda (21.6) (83.0) (79.0) (79.1) (7.4) (5.9) (15.4)

Spirontocaris liljeborgii - - 0.2 <0.1 - - <0.1

Dichelopandalus leptocerus - 52.5 42.4 46.7 7.4 - 7.2

Pandalus borealis - - 3.4 - - 0.1 0.2

Pandalus montagui - - 4.8 16.9 - - 1.4

Pandalidae - 1.1 11.2 4.1 - - 0.7

Crangon septemspinosa 20.1 4.5 - - - - 0.1

Pagurus acadianus 0.6 15.8 3.8 7.4 - - 0.9

Pagurus pollicaris - 0.6 - - - - <0.1

Pagurus pubescens - - 0.9 - - - <0.1

Pagurus arcuatus - - 2.1 0.7 - - 0.1

Pagurus sp. 0.4 - 0.9 - <0.1 - 0.1

Paguridae - 5.5 0.8 - - - 0.1

Cancer borealis - - - - - 5.3 3.6

Cancer irroratus - 1.2 3.3 3.3 - - 0.4

Crab unid. - 1.5 0.4 - - 0.5 0.4

Shrimp unid. 0.5 0.3 4.8 - - <0.1 0.2

Crustacea unid. (1.7) - - - - - (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [76.6] [13.8] [20.9] [19.3] [49.6] [78.7] [65.7]

Alosa aestivalis - - - - - 1.0 0.7

Clupeidae - - 11.1 - <0.1 0.2 0.6

Gadus morhua - - - - - 2.5 1.7

Merluccius bilinearis - - 1.6 - 16.4 12.2 11.6

Gadidae - - - - 7.4 - 1.5

Aspidophoroides monopterygius - 2.0 - - - - <0.1

Ammodytes dubius - - 0.4 - 8.5 0.4 2.0

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - - - - 0.1 48.1 32.5

Pholis gunnellus - 9.5 - - - - 0.1

Macrozoarces americanus - - - - 8.2 9.5 8.0

Hippoglossoides platessoides - - - - 4.5 - 0.9

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - - 6.2 - - 0.5

Osteichthyes larvae - 0.3 - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 76.6 2.0 7.8 13.1 4.5 4.8 5.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. - [3.2] [0.1] [1.0] [0.3] [0.6] [0.4]

 

Number sampled 7 19 26 25 21 27 125

Number empty 3 4 4 9 5 9 34

Mean stomach content (g) 1.128 2.553 6.943 13.716 43.532 115.604 36.922

Mean fish length (cm) 22 35 45 55 66 99 59

 
Page 133

Table B-58b. Diet composition and sampling data for Atlantic halibut by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80.

Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal;

parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

 North

Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CEPHALOPODA [15.4] [25.4] [22.9] [1.1]

Illex illecebrosus 8.2 - - -

Illex sp. 7.2 24.1 - -

Octopoda - - 4.2 -

Cephalopoda unid. - 1.3 18.7 1.1

CRUSTACEA [0.1] [22.0] [49.6] [1.5]

Amphipoda (<0.1) (<0.1) - (<0.1)

Mysidacea (<0.1) (<0.1) - -

Euphausiacea - - (<0.1) -

Decapoda (0.1) (22.0) (49.6) (1.5)

Spirontocaris liljeborgii - <0.1 <0.1 -

Dichelopandalus leptocerus <0.1 1.8 32.5 -

Pandalus borealis - 0.3 0.6 -

Pandalus montagui - - 7.0 -

Pandalidae <0.1 1.9 1.6 -

Crangon septemspinosa 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 -

Pagurus acadianus <0.1 - 3.9 1.2

Pagurus pollicaris <0.1 - - -

Pagurus pubescens - - 0.2 -

Pagurus arcuatus <0.1 - 0.4 -

Paguridae <0.1 0.3 <0.1 0.3

Cancer borealis - 16.8 - -

Cancer irroratus <0.1 <0.1 1.6 -

Crab unid. <0.1 <0.1 1.8 -

Shrimp unid. <0.1 0.9 <0.1 -

Crustacea unid. - (<0.1) (<0.1) -

OSTEICHTHYES [84.0] [51.8] [25.7] [97.3]

Alosa aestivalis - 3.3 - -

Clupeidae - 0.8 - 10.8

Gadus morhua 3.1 - - -

Merluccius bilinearis 6.9 23.7 0.3 67.3

Gadidae - - 7.0 -

Aspidophoroides monopterygius - - 0.1 -

Ammodytes dubius - 9.0 - -

Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 60.6 - - -

Pholis gunnellus - - 0.3 1.0

Macrozoarces americanus 11.9 7.4 - -

Hippoglossoides platessoides - - 4.2 -

Pleuronectes ferruginus - - 2.2 -

Osteichthyes larvae - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. 1.5 7.6 11.6 18.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [0.5] [0.8] [1.8] [0.1]

 

Number sampled 19 36 64 6

Number empty 6 11 17 0

Mean stomach content (g) 130.410 27.629 14.941 31.102

Mean fish length (cm) 64 64 55 45

 
Page 134

Table B-59a. Diet composition and sampling data for winter flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as

percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents <16 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 >50 Total

 

CNIDARIA [1.9] [17.6] [19.5] [29.4] [27.0] [18.2] [45.6] [49.5] [70.7] [39.0]

Hydrozoa (<0.1) (2.4) (2.4) (3.7) (2.0) (3.3) (8.6) (9.7) (6.7) (5.6)

Anthozoa (1.9) (15.2) (17.1) (25.7) (25.0) (14.9) (37.0) (39.8) (64.0) (33.4)

Actiniaria - - 0.7 0.9 - 2.4 3.5 - 1.4 1.4

Ceriantharia - 9.5 9.1 16.7 18.2 8.1 23.5 16.5 39.2 19.6

Anthozoa unid. 1.9 5.7 7.3 8.1 6.8 4.4 10.0 23.3 23.4 12.4

RHYNCHOCOELA [0.1] [0.2] [0.6] [0.7] [0.9] [1.2] [2.9] [1.9] [2.2] [1.8]

MOLLUSCA [<0.1] [0.6] [1.2] [0.7] [1.5] [0.6] [5.1] [5.4] [0.6] [2.5]

POLYCHAETA [81.0] [51.9] [40.9] [45.8] [48.6] [43.4] [25.2] [28.3] [12.8] [35.6]

Maldanidae 1.2 4.8 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.7

Lumbrineris fragilis 0.4 0.3 3.7 2.8 2.0 1.0 1.7 2.3 2.4 2.0

Lumbrineridae 0.5 1.5 2.4 1.8 4.4 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.5

Diopatra sp. - - - 3.7 0.8 4.0 - - - 1.2

Pherusa affinis <0.1 - 1.8 3.1 3.1 1.5 3.1 0.1 0.2 1.8

Flabelligeridae 0.4 15.4 7.0 1.9 1.9 0.4 <0.1 0.1 0.4 1.1

Nephtys spp. - 2.1 0.4 2.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 <0.1 0.8 0.8

Nereis spp. <0.1 3.6 <0.1 0.1 0.5 <0.1 0.4 0.3 <0.1 0.5

Chone infundibuliformis - - 4.7 3.1 2.9 0.9 2.0 <0.1 - 1.6

Sabellidae 2.8 <0.1 1.6 2.2 7.6 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.6

Spiophanes bombyx <0.1 0.3 <0.1 0.8 0.3 5.0 6.8 5.7 5.5 4.0

Spionidae 4.7 <0.1 <0.1 1.2 0.7 0.9 0.6 1.5 - 0.8

Ampharete spp. 9.2 2.8 2.9 4.6 2.0 1.1 0.2 0.4 <0.1 1.5

Asabellides oculata 46.2 0.1 <0.1 2.6 13.1 12.5 0.4 <0.1 - 5.0

Polychaeta unid. 15.6 21.0 15.2 14.3 8.0 14.4 8.4 17.3 2.6 11.5

CRUSTACEA [11.3] [19.2] [23.0] [10.7] [11.4] [7.5] [6.5] [2.3] [0.7] [7.9]

Amphipoda (9.3) (14.9) (19.0) (10.0) (9.5) (7.4) (5.8) (1.5) (0.6) (6.7)

Unciola irrorata 5.1 4.9 3.0 2.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.9

Gammarus annulatus 1.3 3.2 0.4 1.0 3.0 1.2 0.5 - - 0.9

Leptocheirus pinguis 0.7 1.7 3.0 0.9 1.1 0.5 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.6

Pontogeneia inermis 0.2 0.2 1.0 1.3 1.0 3.4 1.8 0.3 0.1 1.3

Amphipoda unid. 2.0 4.9 11.6 4.2 3.8 1.8 3.0 0.9 0.3 3.0

Decapoda (1.6) (3.4) (3.0) (0.7) (0.9) (0.1) (0.6) (0.8) (<0.1) (0.8)

Crustacea unid. (0.4) (0.9) (1.0) (<0.1) (1.0) (<0.1) (0.1) (<0.1) (0.1) (0.4)

OSTEICHTHYES [<0.1] - [2.3] [0.1] [0.3] [19.6] [<0.1] [<0.1] [<0.1] [3.5]

Engraulidae - - - - - 2.5 - - - 0.4

Ammodytes dubius - - - - - 1.3 - - - 0.2

Paralichthys dentatus - - - - - - - <0.1 - <0.1

Bothidae - - - - - 15.8 - - - 2.7

Osteichthyes eggs and larvae - - - - <0.1 - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. <0.1 - 2.3 0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [5.3] [8.1] [12.2] [10.7] [8.0] [7.6] [10.8] [7.1] [10.7] [6.8]

SAND AND ROCK [0.4] [2.4] [0.3] [1.9] [2.3] [1.9] [3.9] [5.5] [2.3] [2.9]

 

Number sampled 61 117 285 388 326 214 169 116 70 1746

Number empty 5 35 78 125 111 77 44 38 25 538

Mean stomach content (g) 0.369 0.291 0.426 0.907 1.495 2.410 3.161 4.380 6.446 1.733

Mean fish length (cm) 13 18 23 28 32 37 42 47 56 32

 
Page 135

Table B-59b. Diet composition and sampling data for winter flounder by geographic area. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data

expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses

indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 Middle New Georges Gulf of Scotian of Cape

Stomach Contents Atlantic England Bank Maine Shelf Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA [8.2] [32.7] [48.5] [35.6] [90.4] [22.3]

Hydrozoa - (4.4) (7.1) (0.2) - (3.4)

Anthozoa (8.2) (28.3) (41.4) (35.4) (90.4) (18.9)

Actiniaria - <0.1 2.3 0.2 - 0.6

Ceriantharia 8.2 22.2 21.4 33.0 90.4 13.7

Anthozoa unid. - 6.1 17.7 2.2 - 4.6

RHYNCHOCOELA [1.1] [0.6] [1.7] [<0.1] - [1.9]

MOLLUSCA - [0.1] [3.4] [2.5] [8.3] [1.1]

POLYCHAETA [74.2] [43.8] [24.2] [37.1] [<0.1] [48.5]

Maldanidae - 1.4 <0.1 0.1 - 0.6

Lumbrineris fragilis 15.6 <0.1 2.1 - - 2.8

Lumbrineridae 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.7 - 2.9

Diopatra sp. 23.5 - - - - 4.0

Pherusa affinis - 3.4 1.4 - - 1.8

Flabelligeridae 0.7 2.9 0.2 - - 2.2

Nephtys spp. - 0.6 <0.1 - <0.1 2.3

Chone infundibuliformis - 8.1 0.7 2.0 - <0.1

Sabellidae - 10.8 <0.1 8.9 <0.1 0.2

Spiophanes bombyx - 0.1 7.1 - - <0.1

Spionidae 8.7 <0.1 0.8 - - 1.1

Ampharete spp. - 5.4 0.4 0.7 - 1.5

Asabellides oculata - <0.1 <0.1 - - 17.4

Polychaeta unid. 24.7 10.1 10.8 24.7 - 11.7

CRUSTACEA [3.8] [11.5] [3.2] [3.6] - [12.2]

Amphipoda (1.3) (10.3) (2.8) (0.7) - (11.1)

Unciola irrorata 0.9 2.8 0.3 - - 1.0

Gammarus annulatus - 2.6 - - - 2.0

Leptocheirus pinguis - 1.8 0.2 <0.1 - 0.6

Pontogeneia inermis - <0.1 1.6 - - 1.5

Aeginina longicornis - 1.2 <0.1 - - 0.4

Amphipoda unid. 0.4 1.9 0.7 0.7 - 5.6

Decapoda (2.5) (1.2) (0.4) (2.8) - (0.4)

Crustacea unid. (<0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.1) - (0.7)

OSTEICHTHYES - [<0.1] [5.2] - - [2.1]

Engraulidae - - - - - 1.5

Ammodytes dubius - - 0.4 - - -

Paralichthys dentatus - - <0.1 - - -

Bothidae - - 4.8 - - -

Osteichthyes eggs and larvae - - - - - <0.1

Osteichthyes unid. - <0.1 <0.1 - - 0.6

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [6.5] [10.5] [9.6] [18.7] [1.3] [10.5]

SAND AND ROCK [6.2] [0.8] [4.2] [2.5] - [1.4]

 

Number sampled 17 463 569 57 2 638

Number empty 7 172 170 31 0 158

Mean stomach content (g) 0.657 0.911 2.980 0.371 5.880 1.355

Mean fish length (cm) 29 28 39 31 34 27

 
Page 136

Table B-60a. Diet composition and sampling data for yellowtail flounder by fish length category. (Samples gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed

as percentage of stomach content by weight. Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Length Category (cm) 

Stomach Contents 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 Total

 

CNIDARIA - - - - [4.9] [1.0] [8.3] - [0.5] [4.8]

Ceriantharia - - - - 2.7 1.0 8.0 - 0.5 4.4

Anthozoa - - - - 2.2 <0.1 0.3 - - 0.4

RHYNCHOCOELA - - - - [5.4] [0.8] [0.2] [0.3] - [0.9]

MOLLUSCA [3.1] - - [<0.1] [2.4] [4.0] [0.6] [3.1] [<0.1] [1.5]

POLYCHAETA [14.8] [18.1] [49.1] [40.7] [31.9] [53.3] [22.4] [71.6] [76.1] [38.5]

Maldanidae 6.2 - - <0.1 1.6 0.8 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.6

Drilonereis sp. - - - - 0.1 - 0.2 9.0 - 1.3

Lumbrineridae - - - 2.5 2.7 <0.1 0.3 0.7 2.5 1.2

Pherusa sp. - - - 2.1 0.3 - 1.0 - - 0.7

Ophelia sp. - - - 13.4 - - - - - 1.0

Ophelina sp. - - - 1.2 2.0 2.1 2.3 - - 1.9

Nephtyidae - - - 1.2 6.8 <0.1 1.1 0.2 - 1.5

Sigalionidae - 15.6 - - - <0.1 0.2 - - 0.2

Chone infundibuliformis - - - 0.9 0.4 6.7 1.8 - - 1.8

Sabellidae - - - - 2.0 <0.1 1.5 0.3 - 1.0

Cirratulidae - - - 1.6 4.9 <0.1 1.3 - <0.1 1.4

Spiophanes bombyx - - - <0.1 6.4 11.7 5.9 40.3 31.2 12.0

Ampharete arctica - - 29.8 0.2 0.1 - - - - 0.2

Polychaeta unid. 8.6 2.5 19.3 17.6 4.6 32.0 6.3 21.1 42.4 13.7

CRUSTACEA [77.4] [79.0] [49.2] [56.4] [43.2] [34.3] [63.2] [13.4] [23.0] [48.9]

Cumacea (0.6) - (0.5) (2.0) (0.7) (0.1) (<0.1) (<0.1) (0.1) (0.4)

Isopoda (1.9) - - (0.3) (0.3) (0.2) (<0.1) (<0.1) - (0.2)

Amphipoda (19.3) (19.4) (10.6) (22.3) (35.0) (29.4) (58.6) (13.4) (22.9) (41.5)

Ampelisca sp. - - 2.1 3.9 1.8 3.3 3.0 <0.1 3.8 2.6

Byblis serrata - - - 2.0 2.7 <0.1 1.1 0.1 <0.1 1.0

Ericthonius rubricornis - - - 0.5 0.9 0.3 40.6 <0.1 <0.1 19.9

Unciola irrorata 9.3 - 0.2 9.1 11.2 3.0 1.7 0.2 2.3 3.4

Gammarus annulatus - - - - 3.6 3.8 5.2 - - 3.4

Gammarus sp. - - - - 0.1 0.1 <0.1 12.5 0.4 1.7

Lysianassidae 1.9 5.9 - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - - - 0.4

Oedicerotidae 6.2 13.5 2.8 <0.1 0.2 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 - 0.2

Leptocheirus pinguis - - 3.1 3.8 3.1 8.2 4.4 0.4 13.2 4.5

Dulichia sp. - - - - 8.7 2.5 1.0 <0.1 - 1.9

Amphipoda unid. 1.9 - 2.4 3.0 2.7 8.1 1.6 0.2 3.2 2.5

Mysidacea - (1.7) - - (0.5) - (<0.1) - - (0.1)

Decapoda (46.3) (57.9) (35.8) (31.0) (6.5) (3.6) (4.5) (<0.1) - (6.4)

Crangon septemspinosa 46.3 50.5 35.8 29.9 5.0 <0.1 4.4 - - 5.5

Decapoda unid. - 7.4 - 1.1 1.5 3.6 0.1 <0.1 - 0.9

Crustacea unid. (9.3) - (2.3) (0.8) (0.2) (1.0) (0.1) - - (0.3)

OSTEICHTHYES - - - - [4.6] - [0.2] - - [0.7]

Ammodytes dubius - - - - 4.6 - 0.2 - - 0.7

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [4.7] [2.9] [1.7] [2.9] [7.6] [6.6] [5.1] [11.6] [0.4] [4.7]

 

Number sampled 8 10 2 38 54 47 52 10 4 225

Number empty 0 3 0 19 19 20 15 1 1 78

Mean stomach content (g) 0.020 0.114 0.548 0.400 0.474 0.522 1.902 2.718 2.406 0.904

Mean fish length (cm) 7 12 18 23 28 33 37 43 49 30

 
Page 137

Table B-60b. Diet composition and sampling data for yellowtail flounder by geographic area. (Samples

gathered during 1977-80. Data expressed as percentage of stomach content by weight.

Squared brackets indicate major taxon subtotal; parentheses indicate minor taxon subtotal.)

 

 Geographic Area 

Inshore

Southern North

 New Georges of Cape

Stomach Contents England Bank Hatteras

 

CNIDARIA [6.2] [1.6] [3.2]

Ceriantharia 6.1 0.4 2.7

Anthozoa 0.1 1.2 0.5

RHYNCHOCOELA [0.1] [1.2] [4.7]

MOLLUSCA [0.8] [4.0] [0.2]

POLYCHAETA [28.9] [71.9] [25.6]

Maldanidae <0.1 2.0 0.5

Drilonereis sp. 2.1 - -

Lumbrineridae 1.0 1.0 1.3

Pherusa sp. 0.7 - 2.0

Ophelia sp. 1.5 - -

Ophelina sp. 2.8 - -

Nephtyidae 0.1 2.2 7.3

Sigalionidae 0.1 1.3 <0.1

Chone infundibuliformis 2.8 - -

Sabellidae 1.5 0.1 -

Cirratulidae 1.0 <0.1 5.9

Spiophanes bombyx <0.1 53.7 -

Polychaeta unid. 15.3 11.6 8.6

CRUSTACEA [56.4] [15.2] [62.5]

Cumacea (0.3) (<0.1) (<0.1)

Isopoda (<0.1) (0.2) (0.3)

Amphipoda (54.1) (14.4) (22.1)

Ampelisca sp. 3.8 - 0.6

Byblis serrata 0.2 3.7 0.2

Ericthonius rubricornis 30.6 <0.1 <0.1

Unciola irrorata 2.2 7.6 2.0

Gammarus annulatus 1.8 - 17.8

Gammarus sp. 2.6 - -

Lysianassidae <0.1 1.5 <0.1

Oedicerotidae <0.1 0.2 0.8

Leptocheirus pinguis 6.8 0.1 0.5

Dulichia sp. 2.9 - -

Amphipoda unid. 3.2 1.3 0.2

Mysidacea - - (0.6)

Decapoda (1.6) (0.6) (39.5)

Crangon septemspinosa 0.8 <0.1 39.2

Decapoda unid. 0.8 0.6 0.3

Crustacea unid. (0.4) (<0.1) (<0.1)

OSTEICHTHYES [0.9] - [0.9]

Ammodytes dubius 0.9 - 0.9

ANIMAL REMAINS AND MISC. [6.7] [6.1] [2.9]

 

Number sampled 129 51 46

Number empty 59 5 15

Mean stomach content (g) 1.026 0.890 0.558

Mean fish length (cm) 31 30 27