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Diet and prey selectivity in three surface-migrating myctophids in the eastern tropical Pacific

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Abstract

To test feeding selectivity, the diets of three surface-migrating myctophids [Myctophum nitidulum (n = 299), Symbolophorus reversus (n = 199), and Gonichthys tenuiculus (n = 82)] were compared to zooplankton prey collections at 32 stations in the eastern Pacific Ocean, August–November 2006. Myctophum nitidulum fed predominately on copepods (42.7 % by number) and ostracods (41.5 %), selected amphipods (p = 0.002) and ostracods (p = 0.014), and avoided copepods (p < 0.001). Symbolophorus reversus fed on copepods (32.5 % by number) and euphausiids (29.6 %) and selected euphausiids (p = 0.002) and amphipods (p = 0.008). Gonichthys tenuiculus fed on ostracods (34.6 %) and amphipods (27.3 %), but showed no significant selectivity.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by the University of San Diego and a Stephen Sullivan Memorial Scholarship. We thank the many scientists at NOAA’s SWSFC who made these samples available, particularly: L. Ballance, P. Fiedler, C. Hall, R. Pitman, and G. Watters. Thanks to W. Walker for identifying myctophids.

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Author notes

  1. Joel E. Van Noord

    Present address: California Wetfish Producers Association, PO Box 1951, Buellton, CA, 93427, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science and Environmental Studies Department, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA

    Joel E. Van Noord & Ronald S. Kaufmann

  2. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Robert J. Olson

  3. Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Jessica V. Redfern

Authors
  1. Joel E. Van Noord
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  2. Robert J. Olson
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  3. Jessica V. Redfern
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  4. Ronald S. Kaufmann
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Correspondence to Joel E. Van Noord.

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Van Noord, J.E., Olson, R.J., Redfern, J.V. et al. Diet and prey selectivity in three surface-migrating myctophids in the eastern tropical Pacific. Ichthyol Res 60, 287–290 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-013-0350-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-013-0350-2

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