Diet and Feeding Behavior of Ammodytes personatus and Clupea palasii in the San Juan Archipelago (Fall 2015)
Presentation Abstract
Many marine upwelling ecosystems are characterized by low species diversity of the middle tropic level. In wasp-waist systems such as the San Juan Archipelago, forage fishes serve as an important trophic link between zooplankton and apex predators. The Pacific herring and the Pacific sand lance are two important forage fish in this region with different life histories that may influence different feeding ecologies. This study explores the trophic ecology of the Pacific sand lance through diet analysis and observations of diel behavior. Calanoid copepods appear to be the preferred prey item of sand lance, while herring prefer amphipods. Lab and field observations indicate that sand lance are crepuscular feeders. These results further elucidate the strategies Pacific sand lance have developed in order to maximize foraging while minimizing predation risk.
Session Title
Toxics, Pollutants and Species
Conference Track
Salish Sea Snapshots
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Snapshot
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Pacific sand lance--Food--Washington (State)--San Juan Island; Pacific herring--Food--Washington (State)--San Juan Island
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); San Juan Islands (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Diet and Feeding Behavior of Ammodytes personatus and Clupea palasii in the San Juan Archipelago (Fall 2015)
2016SSEC
Many marine upwelling ecosystems are characterized by low species diversity of the middle tropic level. In wasp-waist systems such as the San Juan Archipelago, forage fishes serve as an important trophic link between zooplankton and apex predators. The Pacific herring and the Pacific sand lance are two important forage fish in this region with different life histories that may influence different feeding ecologies. This study explores the trophic ecology of the Pacific sand lance through diet analysis and observations of diel behavior. Calanoid copepods appear to be the preferred prey item of sand lance, while herring prefer amphipods. Lab and field observations indicate that sand lance are crepuscular feeders. These results further elucidate the strategies Pacific sand lance have developed in order to maximize foraging while minimizing predation risk.
