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Predation on Mysis relicta by slimy sculpins (Cottus cognatus) in southern Lake Ontario

Journal of Great Lakes Research
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Abstract

Mysis relicta and Diporeia dominated the diet of slimy sculpins (Cottus cognatus) caught at depths of 55, 75, and 95 m at two locations in southern Lake Ontario. Length of prey was positively correlated with length of slimy sculpin. At a given depth, mean length of slimy sculpins was greater at Rochester than at Nine Mile Point, and mean length increased with depth at both locations. Frequency of occurrence of Mysis in the stomachs of slimy sculpins increased with depth, whereas frequency of Diporeia generally decreased with depth. Diporeia dominated the slimy sculpin diet at 55 m, whereas Mysis dominated the diet at 95 m. Slimy sculpins, some as small as 30 mm long, fed successfully on Mysis in Lake Ontario. We suggest that extirpation of the deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsoni) and perhaps the coregonines (Coregonus spp.) in Lake Ontario allowed slimy sculpins to expand into deeper areas where they could exploit Mysis. We also suggest that at depths greater than or equal to 75 m in Lake Ontario, the current Mysis-benthivore link with slimy sculpins may be similar to the past when deepwater sculpins were present.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Predation on Mysis relicta by slimy sculpins (Cottus cognatus) in southern Lake Ontario
Series title Journal of Great Lakes Research
Volume 21
Issue 2
Year Published 1995
Language English
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description p. 275-283
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Great Lakes Research
First page 275
Last page 283
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