Combined stomach content and stable isotope analyses revealed variations in trophic ecology of pacific cod in the east sea.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated changes in the dietary composition and trophic levels of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) using stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Pacific cod samples were collected seasonally from May 2018 to February 2022 using bottom gill nets at the northern (Ayajin) and southern (Hupo) sites of the East Sea along the Korean coast. The primary dietary components included teleosts, amphipods, carid shrimps, and cephalopods. Gravimetric dietary analysis revealed distinct latitudinal, seasonal, and size-related variations, with teleosts, cephalopods, carid shrimps, and euphausiids serving as the key prey items. During the cold season, teleosts constituted the major dietary components of the large-sized Pacific cod, whereas smaller individuals consumed more carid shrimps

SUBMITTER: Kang MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534371 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature