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Stage-specific spatial and temporal variability in the diets of larval winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) in a northeastern U.S. estuarine nursery

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Abstract

Collections of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) larvae were made biweekly from March to May in 1999 and 2000 in the Navesink River-Sandy Hook Bay estuarine system, New Jersey, to determine stage-specific spatial and temporal variability in diets. Relatively high percentages of larvae with empty guts were found at low water temperatures. Percentages of empty guts did not differ by larval stage (preflexion and postflexion) or region of collection (river and bay). There was high intraregional variability in percentages of larvae with empty guts. Nauplii, invertebrate eggs, and polychaete larvae were dominant prey items followed by tintinnids, bivalve and gastropod veligers, and diatoms. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were evident in both years. Preflexion winter flounder largely consumed nauplii, invertebrate eggs, and tintinnids; postflexion winter flounder consumed the largest prey (polychaete larvae) but also retained small prey items in their diets. Water temperature significantly affected the percentages of larvae feeding on nauplii (p<0.05) and tintinnids (p<0.08) in 2000. Region of collection was not significantly related to diets because of high intraregional variability. Fine scale spatial (within regions, stations were approximately 3 km apart) and temporal (weeks) dietary variation of larval winter flounder could result in accompanying variation in development, growth stage duration, and survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 15 Wigwam Road, 07760, Locust, New Jersey

    Patricia A. Shaheen

  2. James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 74 Magruder Road, 07732, Highlands, New Jersey

    John P. Manderson & Michael P. Fahay

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  1. Patricia A. Shaheen
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  2. John P. Manderson
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Correspondence to Patricia A. Shaheen.

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Shaheen, P.A., Manderson, J.P. & Fahay, M.P. Stage-specific spatial and temporal variability in the diets of larval winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) in a northeastern U.S. estuarine nursery. Estuaries 27, 958–965 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02803422

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