Hypothesis: In the White Sea, predatory fish species have consumed higher proportions of stickleback during historical periods and seasons of high stickleback abundance. Organisms: Adults, juveniles, and eggs of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), together with three species of predatory fishes: cod (Gadus morhua), saffron cod (Eleginus nawaga), and European sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius). Place and times: Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Russia; June to August 2011–2014. Analytical methods: Sampling with beach seine (stickleback) and gill nets (predatory fish). Analysis of predatory fish stomach contents (identification to the species level, counting, weighing), and in-depth survey of scientific literature on predatory fish diets over the last century. Results: Near the spawning grounds, stickleback comprise 60% of the summer food of sculpin (adult stickleback), 52% of the diet of cod (adults, juveniles, and eggs), and 15% of the diet of saffron cod (juvenile stickleback). These data resemble obser
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)317-334
JournalEvolutionary Ecology Research
Volume17
StatePublished - 2016

    Research areas

  • Atlantic cod, Eleginus nawaga, European sculpin, Gadus morhua, Gasterosteus aculeatus, long-term changes, Myoxocephalus scorpius, predation, saffron cod, threespine stickleback, White Sea.

ID: 7564479