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Diet of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) from the continental slope and oceanic features of the Ross Sea region, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2014

Darren W. Stevens*
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 14901, Wellington, New Zealand
Matthew R. Dunn
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Matthew H. Pinkerton
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 14901, Wellington, New Zealand
Jeff S. Forman
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 14901, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

The diet of Dissostichus mawsoni captured by bottom longline in the Ross Sea region was examined during 2003, 2005 and 2010. The diet of sub-adult toothfish was similar to adult toothfish, comprising mainly benthic fishes and cephalopods. Sub-adult toothfish ate a greater variety of smaller prey than adults, including smaller fish and prawns. Grenadiers (Macrourus spp.) were the most important fish and overall prey species. On the continental slope, icefish (Channichthyidae) and eel cods (Muraenolepididae) were also important fish prey, while Psychroteuthis glacialis was the most important cephalopod prey. On oceanic features, toothfish fed mainly on Macrourus spp. but also fed on Antimora rostrata, cephalopods and the occasional mesopelagic to epipelagic fish. Diet varied significantly with toothfish size and location on northern parts of the Mawson and Iselin banks of the Ross Sea continental slope. There was no significant temporal change in diet composition.

Type
Biological Sciences
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2014 

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