Diet and feeding strategy of Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scombrus scomber) in Icelandic waters.

ABSTRACT: Predator-prey relations, as well as the trophic ecology of highly migratory marine species, is important to understand their impact on the ecosystem. Conventional methods were used to study the diet composition and feeding strategy of the Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scombrus scomber), during their summer feeding migration to Icelandic waters in 2009-2014. In addition, generalised additive modelling (GAM) was used to determine which biological and environmental factors contribute to the variation of their stomach weight in the years 2011-2014. From the dietary analysis, we found that calanoid copepods (especially Calanus finmarchicus) were the most important contributor to the overall diet of mackerel in the years studied. Although in some years and areas, they also preyed heavily on large

SUBMITTER: Kvaavik C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6937200 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature