|
|
Article: Ontogenetic shifts in natural diet during benthic stages of American lobster (Homarus americanus), off the Magdalen Islands.(Statistical Data Included)
- Article from:
- Fishery Bulletin
- Article date:
- January 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 National Marine Fisheries Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Abstract--The natural diet of 506 American lobsters (Homarus americanus) ranging from instar V (4 mm cephalothorax length, CL) to the adult stage (112 mm CL) was determined by stomach content analysis for a site in the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence, eastern Canada. Cluster and factor analyses determined four size groupings of lobsters based on their diet:
**********
American lobster, Homarus americanus, is a long-lived, dominant predator in temperate coastal waters of eastern North America (Elner and Campbell, 1991; Ojeda and Dearborn, 1991). After the larval phase, lobsters settle and spend much of their time in burrows or natural shelters (Cobb, 1971; ...