Marine fronts as preferred habitats for young Patagonian hoki (Macruronus magellanicus) in the southern Patagonian shelf

ALEMANY, D.; IRIBARNE, O.; ACHA, E. M.

MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES

INTER-RESEARCH

Lugar: Oldendorf/Luhe; Año: 2018 vol. 588 p. 191 - 200

0171-8630

Due to strong seasonality and spatial variation in ecosystem productivity, fish can show ontogenetic and/or seasonal changes in habitat use and move between different habitats to exploit the richest food resources. Here, we evaluate the spatial patterns of the size distribution of Patagonian hoki (Macruronus magellanicus) in relation to the highly productive frontal systems of the southern Patagonian shelf. Additionally, we assessed diet composition in relation to size. Fish data came from 10 scientific cruises that occurred during the cold and warm seasons of 1978-1979. Samples were collected using demersal hauls that were ascribed to frontal or non-frontal zones. Based on the analysis of the total length of 3660 Patagonian hoki individuals, a general linear model (GLM) was constructed to evaluate the association between fish size and fronts. Moreover, prey items from fish of four size classes were evaluated by analysing the contents of 1067 stomach. Our results showed that smaller fish (juveniles) were more frequently located along frontal areas and preyed upon zooplankton. In contrast, larger fish (adults) preyed on larger items and showed no spatial relationship with fronts. The positive relationship observed between small-sized fish and fronts may be related to their low trophic level and the size of their prey, which is highly abundant at these oceanographic features.